(INDIANAPOLIS) — Indianapolis sports stars say they’re hoping to use their prominence to keep the momentum going to change attitudes on race.
Fever Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings, Pacers center Myles Turner and Indy native and Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill said on a videoconference with reporters say the George Floyd video was a wrenching reminder that when they trade their jersey for street clothes, it could just as easily be them instead of Floyd.
Hill choked up as he talked about losing a cousin last year to Indianapolis gang violence. The former Pacer and IUPUI star maintains the officers who investigated that murder appeared indifferent. He says coupled with Floyd’s killing, it leaves the fear that those the community is supposed to turn to for protection can be just as great a threat themselves.
Butler basketball coach LaVall Jordan says he’s optimistic there may be meaningful change this time, not just because of Floyd’s death, but the pandemic. He suggests the weeks everyone spent in lockdown gave people a chance to reflect on how what we do affects everyone else, and contributed to the sense of empathy when Floyd was killed. Jordan notes the two weeks of Indianapolis anti-racism protests drew people from across racial boundaries.
Catchings, Hill and Jordan will take part in another rally Sunday at the statehouse to register voters and call on legislators to take action.
Hill says athletes can’t be scared to speak their mind because of the potential for financial losses. And
vows there’s no amount of money that will make him keep silent. He and Colts linebacker Anthony Walker made clear they’re still seething over Fox host Laura Ingraham’s dismissive challenge to LeBron James and other activist athletes two years ago to “shut up and dribble” — especially after Ingraham flip-flopped last week to defend New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees’ right to speak out, after Brees declared he won’t support protests which disrespect the American flag.
