Wyomia Tyus
During the 100-meter dash final of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, sprinter Wyomia Tyus wore dark blue shorts instead of the team-issued white ones. Tyus’ decision to wear a dark uniform called attention to the unequal treatment of Blacks in America.
Yale University Rowing
The Yale University rowing team used a blue marker to write “Title IX” on their bare backs and sternums which was revealed as they took off their tops in front of the athletic director. This was their way to protest the lack of athletic facilities for female athletes.
Craig Hodges
Craig Hodges, one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, wore a dashiki to the White House during the Chicago Bulls’ title visit after winning the 1992 league title. The Muslim athlete also wrote a letter to President George Bush calling attention to racism, poor and minority communities, and his opposition to Operation Desert Storm.
Miami Heat
Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and the rest of the Miami Heat wore hooded sweatshirts to protest the murder of Trayvon Martin, who was wearing a hoodie when he was found after being shot to death by a neighborhood watch volunteer. Their message conveyed outrage on behalf of African Americans around the country.
Cavaliers and Nets
Lebron James and Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jarrett Jack, Alan Anderson, Deron Williams, and Kevin Garnett of the Brooklyn Nets wore shirts that said “I Can’t Breathe” while warming up for an NBA game. This called attention to the death of Eric Garner, who was killed by an officer for the New York Police Department.
Andrew Hawkins
Andrew Hawkins, a receiver for the Cleveland Browns, sported a black t-shirt over his jersey that said “Justice for Tamir Rice - John Crawford” and “The Real Battle of Ohio” before an NFL game. He was supporting the call for justice in the wake of the deaths of Rice (fatally shot while carrying a toy gun) and Crawford (shot and killed as he picked up an air gun in Walmart).
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks NBA team marched with protesters in Baltimore in response to the murder of Freddie Gray, who while in police custody had sustained spinal injuries that contributed to his death. Anthony was wearing a shirt that said “Cassius Clay” on it, a nod to legendary athlete and activist Muhammed Ali’s birth name.
Minnesota Lynx
A few Minnesota Lynx WNBA players wore a shirt that said “Change Starts With Us: Justice & Accountability” on the front along with the names of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile and the phrase “Black Lives Matter” on the back. They were calling attention to African-Americans Sterling and Castile, who had been killed by police in the same week.
Naomi Osaka
When tennis star Naomi Osaka arrived to the court to play in her U.S. Open matches, she sported face masks that had a different name of a Black victim of violence every match. Osaka’s decision called attention to the murders of George Floyd, Tamir Rice, Elijah McClain, Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, and Philando Castile.
WNBA
In the summer of 2020, athletes across the WNBA wore a shirt with “Say Her Name” to honor Breonna Taylor, a shirt with “Vote Warnock” to support Raphael Warnock’s campaign for Georgia senator, and a shirt with seven bullet holes in the back to honor Jacob Blake. Taylor and Blake were both shot by police, leaving Taylor dead and Blake paralyzed.
MLB Opening Day
On MLB Opening Day in 2020, players wore patches that read “Black Lives Matter” and “United for Change”. The MLB logo on the patches was inverted, making the silhouetted batter black. Some teams wore “Black Lives Matter” shirts during batting practice. This collective moment represented the league coming together in solidarity with the Black community.
Nike Lorenz
At the Tokyo Olympic Games, field hockey player for Germany Nike Lorenz wore white socks with a rainbow band instead of white socks with the black, red, and yellow stripes of the German flag like the rest of her team. Lorenz was showing her support for the LGBTQ+ community.