Morning sports update: Marcus Smart wanted to ‘show the right thing’ by attending Boston protest
"I wanted to cry, for the simple fact that that could've been me."
On Sunday, the world continued to react in protest to the killing of George Floyd. Sports, even in a reduced capacity due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, made its mark as well.
In the German Bundesliga, English player Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund displayed a shirt under his jersey with the message “Justice for George Floyd” after scoring one of his three goals.
Jadon Sancho revealed a “Justice for George Floyd” shirt after scoring for Borussia Dortmund.
(via @ESPNFC) pic.twitter.com/QsFoxepPyg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 31, 2020
And in Boston, multiple Celtics players attended a peaceful demonstration near Boston Common.
Marcus Smart speaks out: Celtics guard Marcus Smart was among those who attended Sunday’s protest near Boston Common. Smart praised the city’s turnout for the event.
“I love the way Boston has represented,” he said. “Boston’s a second home, and we’re showing love.”
The 26-year-old noted how rapidly the protest movement has grown following the killing of Floyd and other Black Americans by police.
“For this to happen as quickly as it did, it shows the fire that everybody has, and wanting the same thing,” Smart said. “And that’s justice.”
Floyd, a 46-year-old, died after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes. Smart described his reaction to seeing video of the incident.
“I wanted to cry, for the simple fact that that could’ve been me,” he said. “That could’ve been my brother, could’ve been my dad, could’ve been my uncle. It’s just terrifying to see as an African-American male … Because that lets me know that — and it lets me know and everyone around us — how terrified we are. If that can happen to that random person, who am I to say that it can’t happen to me or someone I love? It was terrifying to watch.”
When asked about his status as a professional athlete while out at a protest, Smart had a simple answer.
“What better way to show the right thing than to get out here and be on the front line myself,” he said.
📹 Marcus Smart with @STEVEBURTONWBZ at the protests in #Boston last night while things were still peaceful (1 of 3) #Celtics #WBZ @smart_MS3 pic.twitter.com/DO9FC8NHwR
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) June 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/JoeGiza/status/1267430678456606722
More from Boston.com:
- MLB players offer 114-game season, no more pay cuts
- Why major sports might risk comebacks during the pandemic
- Roger Goodell says ‘tragic events’ call for ‘urgent need for action’
- Premier League cleared by government to pursue June restart
- NHL plans to test players for COVID-19 daily if games resume
- Harvard men’s basketball coach Tommy Amaker addresses detainment of former player Seth Towns during protest
- US Open plan in works, including group flights, COVID tests
- Dolphins coach Brian Flores releases statement on George Floyd and racial inequality
- Devin McCourty, wife Michelle mourn loss of child
- ‘Our voices need to be heard’: Jaylen Brown leads peaceful protest in Atlanta
The Patriots’ behind-the-scenes look at the NFL draft
:
A #PatsDraft unlike any other.
Behind the Scenes: The Virtual Draft, presented by @Bose pic.twitter.com/OfOTDFOiiI
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 29, 2020
On this day: A year ago, Liverpool defeated Tottenham to win the Champions League final.
https://youtu.be/8nbARoiTdVg
Something more: Marina Zenovich, the director of ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary, “Lance,” spoke about her work on the project and the public’s perception of Armstrong in 2020.
https://youtu.be/_5J04roaVbY
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