The Buccaneers yesterday launched an initiative designed to "help people register to vote and raise awareness about the importance of voting," according to Eduardo Encina of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The Bucs teamed up with “I am a voter,” a non-profit, non-partisan group that helps promote voter registration and participation. By texting BUCSVOTE to 26797, fans can "check to see if they’re registered to vote, get registered, request a mail-in ballot or learn more about the voting process." This is the result of "several meetings by the team’s player-driven Social Justice Initiative" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 9/1).
PRESSURE NOW ON OWNERS? SI.com's Albert Breer wrote what will be "interesting from here is to see owner involvement," which is something players are "eager to see." The players will "want the support of their bosses going forward, no matter what happens next, and that could impact their decision-making in how they handle wherever all of this goes" (SI.com, 8/31). THE ATHLETIC's Michael-Shawn Dugar wrote NFL owners "truly hold the keys to unlocking change," and as such, "more pressure needs to be applied by media, fans and even some coaches to have team owners make their stances on racism in America known." It is "more than making a carefully crafted statement; it’s about making a difference." The local and national media must "collectively put more pressure on the owners, team presidents and anyone else they cover who possesses wealth, power and privilege" (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/31).
