SportsBeat KC: Standing at the intersection of sports and protests
The roles of teams and high-profile athletes in times of protest and unrest is the topic of this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast.
Sports columnist Vahe Gregorian and news reporter Glenn Rice join host Blair Kerkhoff in discussing the protest scene in Kansas City and how some of the Chiefs and other teams have responded to this developing story.
Also, what was Kansas City’s response to previous moments of unrest and confrontation? Rice recalls the city in 1968, in the aftermath of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, and more recently amid the Chiefs’ and city’s response to Colin Kaepernick’s take-a-knee protest three years ago.
Plus, we hear audio from the Big 12 men’s basketball coaches’ message of unity and NBA player Malcolm Brogdon, who spoke to protesters in his Atlanta hometown.
Story links:
Monday protest in Kansas City: More tear gas, at least 20 arrests follow mayor’s march
Royals say they “stand in solidarity and peaceful protest” with black community
Chiefs players, Royals players, Sporting, other teams share #BlackoutTuesday posts
Big 12 men’s hoop coaches use teamwork to issue anti-racism statement via video
Mellinger Minutes: There’s sports stuff here. Even some positive! But first real life