Major Link Soccer: Links Strike
If teams can strike and not play matches, we can have a day of links dedicated to those decisions.
By Jacob Landsberg@jhlands Aug 27, 2020, 7:00am PDT
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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
If the NBA, WNBA, Mariners, Sounders, and many others could stop playing the game they love to call for social justice and an end to systemic racism, we owe them the time to stop reading Messi rumors and read and listen to them and what they want us to know. Today's links are about all the players striking/boycotting yesterday, the reasons they made the decisions they made, what could happen going forward, and more.
Take time today to listen to what members of the Black community, and other marginalized groups, have to say about what happens in their everyday life. Listen to why they insist changes need to be made; even if you've listened and been an ally everyday, it is important to keep listening. But don't end at listening. Do what you can to help, whether that is just being there to support, contributing time or money to organizations, share others' messages to amplify them and make sure that more people can hear. Vote. Vote. Vote. Don't just vote for the President, which matters a ton, but vote in every election you can. Your local district attorney and judges matter. Your county council matters. Your state reps matter. All of these offices matter and voting to make changes to end systemic racism is crucial at every level. But our jobs don't end on election day — continuing work to ensure that politicians and organizations work to stop systemic racism is needed. But to start with, talk this morning, or some time today, to hear why players are striking and sit with it.
To start with, Chris Webber delivered a very emotional message after the NBA announced they were not playing today.
"It is the young people leading the way and I applaud them." @realchriswebber delivers a powerful message in support of the NBA players. pic.twitter.com/KVCUINw8Vx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 26, 2020
MLS matches started after the NBA and WNBA had announced their strikes for the day and while it took plenty of time to make the decision in some cases and get players on the same page, almost every game was postponed. While it appears not every team agreed, and Orlando City SC and Nashville SC played their match, the rest did not play.
The Timbers and Quakes called off their match as a strike. San Jose Earthquakes' game against Portland Timbers called off amid player strike - Center Line Soccer
Before the Portland match, RSL which had sold out their stadium of 5,000, postponed their match. Unlike in Orlando, having fans did not stop the players from striking. LAFC's game against Real Salt Lake will not be played - Angels on Parade
FC Dallas and Colorado postponed their match with fans in the stadium as well. The Rapids did a great job on social media to help educate fans.
These are the names on our minds tonight. pic.twitter.com/9x96LESEl9
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) August 27, 2020
MLS players and coaches continued to speak out after the strikes tonight with Robin Fraser, Colorado's coach, and Sacha Kljestan, the Galaxy midfielder, sharing their thoughts.
The time for change is now. pic.twitter.com/ISMLsEjaE9
Soccer is my life, but if boycotting the game tonight brings about an ounce of the much needed change we need right now, it will be worth it. Enough is enough. My thoughts: pic.twitter.com/JMtuVU8lWq
— Sacha Kljestan (@SachaKljestan) August 27, 2020
Meanwhile Orlando and Nashville played, suggesting that fans in the stands were the reason they did not strike. LAFC's Mark-Anthony Kaye, one of the most outspoken players yesterday, spoke about OCSC-Nashville.
Disappointed with the Orlando City players tonight. Who thinks they can post black lives matter when it's easy, but when it's tough care more about 3 points. There's no excuse it doesn't matter what country you are from, we are fighting for everyone to be seen as equal.
— Mark-Anthony Kaye (@MarkThEwizz) August 27, 2020
The Union played yesterday, before the strikes started, but after the match Union players called for justice. Mark McKenzie calls for justice for Jacob Blake in post-game broadcast - Brotherly Game
By toeing the line, clubs abdicate the community-focused leadership roles they claim to hold at a time when those roles are most impactful. The hope is today showed that teams are going to do more than just a tweet. With empty statements on race, many U.S. soccer clubs fail to meet the moment – The Athletic
Unlike MLS, the statement by the MLB gave stronger support to players and addressed why the players are not playing in a better manner.
Statement from Major League Baseball: pic.twitter.com/jyDdZJ7fN7
— MLB (@MLB) August 27, 2020
It started with the Milwaukee Brewers joining their hometown Bucks in refusing to play their game today, choosing not to play their game against the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds were in support and stood in solidarity.
From the players of the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds: pic.twitter.com/qkhH4AmBKm
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 26, 2020
The Mariners were the next team to take the step with the club voting unanimously to not play today. While many players, including Taijuan Walker, Marco Gonzales, and Braden Bishop tweeted throughout the day in support of the strike, Dee Gordon spoke first.
Instead of watching us, we hope people will focus on the things more important than sports that are happening.
- Dee Strange-Gordon
— Dee Gordon (@FlashGJr) August 26, 2020
Team will not play tonight in San Diego; doubleheader tomorrow likely. Mariners join sports strike to protest racial injustice - Lookout Landing
Mookie Betts talked to his team and said he wasn't going to play and his team backed him up and the Giants supported the Dodgers all the way.
#Dodgers Mookie Betts: "For me, no matter what, I wasn't going to play tonight." Thanks his teammates for backing him up.
Clayton Kershaw: "Once Mookie said he wasn't going to play, that started a conversation. ... We made a collective decision not to play tonight."
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 27, 2020
The Giants and Dodgers stood in solidarity with fellow MLB teams, deciding not to play at Oracle Park on Wednesday to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., on Sunday. Giants, Dodgers decide not to play | Los Angeles Dodgers
While most MLB teams did play, some players across the league did sit out, including Colorado Rockie (and former Dodger) Matt Kemp. Players in the Cubs-Tigers and Royals-Cardinals games also sat out.
Tonight I stand with my fellow professional athletes in protest of the injustices my people continue to suffer. I could not play this game I love so much tonight knowing the hurt and anguish my people continue to feel. In a world where we are the ones who need to remain calm while a trained professional points a gun in our face; a world where the people in uniforms who took an oath to protect us are the same ones killing us; a world where we become hashtags before we even reach our potential; we must stand together, speak out, protest, and be the change we demand, require, and need so bad. To the families who have experienced these tragedies first hand my heart breaks for you, my prayers are with you and I use my platform to speak on your behalf. I will be protesting tonight's game in honor of all of my fallen brothers and sisters at the hands of police brutality. #BLM #JacobBlake #BreonnaTaylor #GeorgeFloyd #Saytheirnames
A post shared by Matt Kemp (@therealmattkemp) on Aug 26, 2020 at 4:13pm PDT
Dominic Smith, whose Mets did play starting around 4:00, spoke out after the game to share his feelings.
"The most difficult part is to see people still don't care. ... Being a Black man in America, it's not easy."
The Mets' Dominic Smith with a powerful postgame press conference after Wednesday's game. pic.twitter.com/qnl23vTr28
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 27, 2020
The NBA is where this all started. For the NBA, it goes back to George Hill on the Bucks discussing players needed to do more. Norman Powell and Fred VanVleet of the Raptors discussed a potential strike in press conferences a couple days ago. Yesterday, the Bucks took the step and refused to take the court during warm-ups and as tip-off came and went, informed officials of their decision to strike. From there, the Thunder and Rockets, Lakers and Blazers agreed to strike and not play their playoff games as well.
The Bucks took time to come out and greet the media to discuss why they striked and what actions they wanted taken, including the Wisconsin legislature reconvening for a special session. Their statement read aloud is below and linked for the full text.
Full statement from the Milwaukee Bucks: pic.twitter.com/jjGEyVcCmB
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 26, 2020
Milwaukee Bucks Players' Statement Following Boycott of Game 5 of NBA Playoffs vs. Orlando | Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have a very personal connection to systemic racism and social injustice. If you haven't heard about, or it has been a while since you heard Sterling Brown's experience, read what happened to him two and a half years ago in a run-in with the Milwaukee police. Your Money Can't Silence Me | By Sterling Brown
After the league postponed games for the night, and might be postponing games tomorrow, everyone in the bubble held a meeting, which eventually became a players only meeting. The players voted, in what appears to be just a poll not a formal vote, on the future with the Lakers and Clippers voting to not play the remaining games. The discussion will continue tomorrow. Lakers, Clippers take stand against playing remainder of NBA season during players meeting, per report - CBSSports.com
Every other team is leaning towards continuing the season
Discussions on continuing season will extend into tomorrow, sources tell ESPN, but appears unlikely the three playoff games on Thursday will be played. "Everyone is still too emotional," one high-ranking source tells ESPN. "There needs to be more time to come together on this."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
Maurice Harkless is not in the bubble right now, since he plays for the Knicks, but he shared his experience while he was a Portland Trail Blazer.
Figured the times were appropriate for a quick story pic.twitter.com/WhMVdoQnBU
— Maurice Harkless (@moe_harkless) August 26, 2020
The WNBA has consistently led on actions and discourse for social justice and equality and today was no different. The WNBA considered a couple different options, after the NBA strike was announced, and first was playing but stopping every seven minutes. While that was initially the decision, Atlanta Dream players decided that since some teammates did not feel like they could play, the team would not play and the rest of the league followed suit. Even teams that were not scheduled to play today stood in solidarity with those who were.
It started with the Washington Mystics and their warm-up shirts to push for justice. WNBA players join Jacob Blake strikes, wear shirts with bullet holes in back
Center @E_Williams_1 reads statement on @espn as the representative for all @WNBA players. Tonight's games have been cancelled. pic.twitter.com/xDz4uCQSiD
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) August 26, 2020
Ariel Atkins with a powerful message on why WNBA players decided not to play tonight. pic.twitter.com/CGs0eXmTI5
— espnW (@espnW) August 26, 2020
"If Jacob Blake were a dog, and the police were to shoot him seven times in the same spot, we would have a lot more people up in arms. So, what does that tell you about my value?" — Chicago Sky coach James Wade
— Chantel Jennings (@ChantelJennings) August 26, 2020
Demand Justice pic.twitter.com/fGkSufFasc
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 27, 2020
STOP. KILLING. BLACK. PEOPLE.#ChangeHasNoOffseason pic.twitter.com/TD4RFLFltj
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) August 27, 2020
The WNBA supports its players but ultimately it is the WNBA players that make them one of the leaders in social justice and as the days go on look for the players to continue speaking out.
Former Seattle Times writer Jerry Brewer wrote a great column that is a must read, athletes are not entertainers, and by refusing to play they are using one of the few tools at their disposal to make themselves heard — and felt. For Black athletes, social unrest is not a game, and this historic action is an urgent plea - The Washington Post
Many sportswriters have recently decided that they can't "stick to sports" in the current political climate. But for some, societal issues have been woven into the fabric of athletics all along. If you thought sports were ever separate from politics, think again
The Detroit Lions were the first team to not practice in order to protest for social justice a couple days ago and after today's strikes, the Washington Football Team will as well. Washington cancels Thursday's stadium practice in response to Jacob Blake shooting
The strikes don't stop with team sports as tennis star Naomi Osaka is sitting out the semifinals in Cincinnati.
pic.twitter.com/miKzgSdGxY
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) August 27, 2020
Hockey meanwhile did nothing, well they held a moment of silent reflection before the anthem in tonight's playoff games and that just will not cut it. But don't ask me for that, ask one of the NHL's black players, Evander Kane.
Actually it's incredibly insulting as a black man in hockey the lack of action and acknowledgement from the @nhl, just straight up insulting. https://t.co/1KrpUvFhaQ
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) August 27, 2020
Take today and everyday to strive and make a difference to end systemic racism. And if you are looking for something to watch, the I Am Not Your Negro documentary, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, is streaming free on YouTube.
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