February represents a blip on the radar screen in relation to the other months on the calendar. One comedian once quipped that is the shortest, coldest month of the year. Despite its brevity, February has significance as the month set aside to recognize the contributions African Americans have made to the United States and to society as a whole. When it comes to advancing the causes of humanity, the arena of sport has provided a pulpit and platform for athletes and associates in the environment to speak with fervor and passion to injustice and the ills of society. A few years ago, Dr. Kevin Cosby spoke at Mohamed Ali’s funeral and eloquently paid homage to the legendary boxer’s stance against racism and the Vietnam War. In his eulogy, Cosby compared Ali’s journey through the 1960s and 1970s to the Kentucky Derby. He said, “If you come to bet on a horse, please know the rules. You can’t bet on a horse once it’s in the winner’s circle. You must bet on the horse before it gets in the mud.” Cosby went on to say that people like Howard Cosell, Bill Russell, Jim Brown and Kareem Abdul Jabbar bet on Ali when he was in the mud of imprisonment, ostracization, and criticism.
These sports figures and others have used there platform, connections, and star power to either affect change or shed light on many of humanity’s shortcomings. Even though the modern-day athlete is worlds away financially from most of us working stiffs, this wasn’t always the case. Just a few decades ago, sports teams just about owned the athletes that they signed to contracts. At the end of the 1969 season, St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Curt Flood was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, but refused to go. He used the services of his personal lawyer to have his contract taken away from the Cardinals and his destination left to his choosing. Although Flood killed his own career with such a brazen move, he set the tone for free agency and player-driven leagues in all sports. And Flood’s case trickled down into labor practices in regular 9-to-5 occupations. Players of all creeds were no longer designated as property but powerful negotiators of their fate. This figurative falling on the sword for protesting police brutality has also caused Colin Kaepernick his career in the NFL. The NBA is perhaps the most powerful league when it comes to social justice issues. The players have united around community policing issues, vaccinations, and issues associated with gender equity, fair compensation and community revitalization.
Athletes have the luxury these days of tremendous amounts of disposable income, opportunities to rebrand themselves and an array of resources that minimize the risk of stepping out and speaking out. Many lives have been impacted and improved because of this and sports’ historical standing as a locus to facilitate uncomfortable dialogue, courageous action and societal change is stronger than ever.
Therefore, when reflecting on the historical significance of February, give a little thought to the role that the arena of athletics has played in elevating the dignity, quality, and existence of all humanity.
Patrick Ervin has been writing about events in the Delta for more than 25 years. He specializes in religion and sports. He can be reached at ervinconsulting@gmail.com
