Doc Is Fed Up With The Killings Of African Americans By Police
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
While the murder trial of George Floyd began its third week this past Monday, another senseless killing took place last week not far from where Floyd lost his life at the knee of police officer Derek Chauvin. This time, 20-year-old Duante Wright was shot dead by a 26 year police veteran identified as Kim Potter after being pulled over for a minor traffic violation. The details and body cam results are as disturbing as the video of Floyd. Potter claims she thought she was firing her taser. Instead, she fired her hand gun striking Wright in his chest killing him instantly.
As a result of the protest that took place in Minnesota, baseball, basketball and hockey games that were scheduled Monday night were cancelled. The Minnesota Twins were to host the Boston Red Sox. The Timberwolves were set to host the Brooklyn Nets and the Wild were ready to host St. Louis.
The impact of the news caused a ripple effect on the New York Yankees. Two hours before they were to play the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin Florida, (Covid19 has forced the team to play there for the time being) Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks walked into the office of manager Aaron Boone and asked out of the game after hearing the details of Wright’s death. Boone understood totally. Said Boone, with all that’s going on in Minnesota, he’s having a tough time right now. I totally understand that.” Giancarlo Stanton contemplated sitting out as well but did DH going 0-4 in the 3-1 win. No telling how the news affected his play.
Two of the most respected and outspoken coaches in sports, Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers and Greg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs reacted to news. Said Rivers, “we keep hearing this cancel culture stuff,” he began. “But you know we’re cancelling black lives. And l think to me, that’s a little more important in my opinion and it just keeps happening. We keep making mistakes on killing black people.” Popovich has long been a staunch supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. He is on record blasting the Trump and his administration’s policy regarding immigration, race relations and athlete’s kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem. Popovich said, “it just makes you sick to your stomach. How many times does it have to happen,” he questioned. As sick to our stomachs that we may feel, that individual is dead. He’s dead. And his family is grieving. And his friends are grieving. And we just keep moving on as if nothing is happening.”
Twins President David St. Peter said, “based on the events of the past 24 hours and as information has come to light, playing a baseball game today felt a little less important.”
Prior to the Nets scheduled game against Minnesota, Brooklyn announced that enigmatic guard Kyrie Irving would have missed the game for personal reasons. It was not known if his decision had anything to do with the news coming out of Minnesota. The game was rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon and Irving did not play. Last Saturday night, the Nets were pummeled by the Los Angeles Lakers who were with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Irving and Lakers guard Dennis Schroder were both ejected for excessive taunting. It was a close game (66-62) when the ejections took place. The Lakers would go on a 15-2 run and never looked back in the 25-point (126-101) win. Brooklyn traveled to Philadelphia last night before hosting the Hornets Friday night. After taking out the Lakers Monday night, the Knicks traveled to New Orleans last night before going to Dallas Friday night. New York returns to Madison Sqaure Garden Sunday to take on the Pelicans again.
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The Yankees continued their series against Toronto with Hicks expected to be in the starting lineup. They come home Friday to host Tampa. The Mets game was suspended Sunday (weather) against the Marlins and was rescheduled as part of a day/night doubleheader August 31st. They began a 3-game series Tuesday against Philadelphia.
Athletes and coaches in all sports are not holding their voices anymore when it comes to social injustice. The WNBA Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury were instrumental in the Raphael Warnock victory over Kelly Loeffler becoming Georgia’s first African American Senator. Loeffler along with co-owner Mary Brock of the Dream, ended up selling team as a result of the clash with the players.
Said Golden State Warriors forward Eric Paschall, “just too many innocent people getting their lives taken by cops. This is a reoccurring thing that happens in America and that needs to change.”
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