Celtics Managing Partner & CEO Wyc Grousbeck last week posted a 19-second video to the Celtics' 3.5 million Twitter followers in which he made a "significant and pivotal statement" on racism in America. Grousbeck said that he "thought he was doing enough to help fight racism until he realized we all can do more." He said, "In the time since 2016, I think I may have gotten complacent or less focused. And I told myself that things were OK. And I might have been fooling myself. There are millions of people that feel the same way right now." Grousbeck added that he "spoke with the NBA Board of Governors and Celtics players this past week and acknowledged, 'I have a lot to learn and I’m ready to start.'" Grousbeck: "I feel more knowledgeable than last Friday, but we can do something serious and effective" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/7).
MINNESOTA TEAMS BAND TOGETHER: Minnesota athletes from the Univ. of Minnesota, Vikings and T'Wolves on Friday "joined the Change Starts with Me food and household supply give away" in Minneapolis. Vikings DE Danielle Hunter, "joined five teammates," including T'Wolves G Josh Okogie and coach Ryan Saunders and Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck, "among others, at the pop-up supply station not far from the epicenter of many protests" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/7).
MORE SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES: Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin "took part in a unity walk on the campus Saturday along with athletes and coaches from various sports as well as athletic administrators." Meanwhile, USF CB KJ Sails "organized a unity walk that drew teammates, coaches and others across USF athletics," as well as members of the Lightning organization, WWE's Titus O'Neil and "members of the Tampa Bay community." Additionally, UNC Charlotte football coach Will Healy and his family "joined more than 500 protesters in a march through campus" (ESPN.com, 6/6)....The Bengals announced that they "would put $250,000 into community initiatives that will be chosen by players, coaches and staff" (NBCSPORTS.com, 6/6)....Falcons QB Matt Ryan on Friday launched a GoFundMe campaign "designed to help 'improve the community for people of color' in Atlanta, and kicked it off with a $500,000 donation himself" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/5).
