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Sports in Society

Gregg Popovich Rebukes Trump Once More; Sports Figures Turn Out For Inauguration

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich on Saturday did not "mince words" about his feelings toward President Trump, who was inaugurated on Friday, according to Nicholas Parco of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Popovich said, "You really can’t believe anything that comes out of his mouth." He added, "There’s a difference between respecting the office of the president and the person who occupies it. That respect has to be earned. It’s hard to be respectful of someone when we all have kids, and we’re watching him be misogynistic and xenophobic and racist and make fun of handicapped people" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/22). In Cleveland, Bill Livingston wrote Popovich, "whether you like his politics or not, is America's Coach because this year he takes over the U.S. National men's team from Duke's Mike Krzyzewski." USA Basketball is a "conservative group, politically." However, the right to dissent is "guaranteed in the First Amendment." It is also "buttressed in his case by the military service." Popovich, on if he had been contacted by USA Basketball about his Trump comments, said, "Not a word. I've gotten positive and negative letters, emails, that sort of stuff, but nothing from anybody official, as far as basketball's concerned" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/22).

STAN WITH THEM: In Detroit, Vince Ellis noted Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy's wife and two of his three daughters attended the women's march at the National Mall in DC on Saturday. They were "joined by the wives" of assistant coach Otis Smith and Dir of Int'l Scouting J.R. Holden. Van Gundy said, "It's an opportunity for them to be a part of history and it’s worldwide. ... It’s an exciting day for them and I’m happy they were able to do it" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/22).

PARTY PEOPLE: POLITICO's Palmer, Sherman & Lippman noted Las Vegas Sands Chair & CEO Sheldon Adelson and the Ricketts family, which owns the Cubs, "hosted a private inaugural party" on Friday at the Morning Consult office close to the White House. Among those in attendance were Cubs BOD member Todd Ricketts, who will serve as Deputy Commerce Secretary (POLITICO.com, 1/21). In N.Y., Smith & Mohr noted former NFL coach Rex Ryan, Cowboys QB Mark Sanchez and Jets C Nick Mangold attended Trump's inauguration (N.Y. POST, 1/21). In Buffalo, John Vogl reported Sabres G Robin Lehner had a "special mask" designed for him for the team's Military Appreciation Night on Nov. 11. The mask featured Trump in block letters with a "small picture of the then-president-elect." But since then, fans have viewed Lehner "as a racist, misogynist and [insert numerous expletives here]." The mask was "used only during pregame warmups." Lehner said, "I admire a lot of things about the guy. You know what? I don’t like a lot of things, too. But I also recognize we’re all humans" (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/21).

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