ESPN in recent years has "sought to project an apolitical image, saying that one of the company's main roles is to unite sports fans of different political opinions," but current unrest in the country has allowed ESPN's personalities to use their platform to "speak in ways they're not usually heard," according to Ben Strauss of the WASHINGTON POST. Protests following the death of George Floyd have "centered around the same issues of police brutality and racial injustice that were the inspiration" for Colin Kaepernick, and they have been "all-consuming, taking place during a global pandemic and tense political landscape." ESPN's Michael Eaves said the network "has allowed us to express ourselves in this moment." Strauss noted athletes such as Celtics F Jaylen Brown last weekend joined protests, and "normally politics-averse athletes such as Tom Brady put out statements in support of Floyd." ESPN Senior VP & Editor-At-Large/ESPN Content Rob King said that not only was it an "important sports story ... but also a personal one because of how many ESPN employees are feeling right now." ESPN has "thrown its full capacity into covering the protests, through a sports lens and beyond" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/7).
