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Sports world reacts to protests in Untied States – TSN

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Athletes and notable names from the world of sports are speaking up as protests continue following the death of George Floyd earlier this week in Minneapolis.

Follow along here to keep up to date with the latest statements and comments.


Jordan: “I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry”

Chicago Bulls great and current Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan is the latest high-profile athlete to speak out on the death of George Floyd and racism in America.

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“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry. I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of colour in our country. We have had enough,” Jordan said in a statement on Sunday.

The 57-year-old went on to say that now is the time for people to come together and be part of the solution.

“I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others. We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality,” Jordan said. “We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability. Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change. Every one of us needs to be part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all.

“My heart goes out to the family of George Floyd and to the countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice.”


Abdul-Jabbar writes op-ed for Los Angeles Times

NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar penned an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times on Sunday to defend the protesting happening in numerous cities across the United States and why the people involved have been pushed to the edge.

“Yes, protests often are used as an excuse for some to take advantage, just as when fans celebrating a hometown sports team championship burn cars and destroy storefronts. I don’t want to see stores looted or even buildings burn,” wrote Abdul-Jabbar. “But African Americans have been living in a burning building for many years, choking on the smoke as the flames burn closer and closer. Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it wherever it lands. But we have to stay vigilant, because it’s always still in the air.”

Abdul-Jabbar continued, “what you should see when you see black protesters in the age of Trump and coronavirus is people pushed to the edge, not because they want bars and nail salons open, but because they want to live. To breathe.”

The 73-year-old Abdul-Jabbar, who won six NBA championships with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers over his Hall of Fame career, boycotted the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City due to racial injustice in the United States


Ujiri Shares Powerful Message

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri wrote a column for the Globe and Mail on Sunday to share his thoughts following the death of George Floyd and the need for people to raise their voices.

“Ever since I first saw the video, I’ve been thinking about the cycle. A death like this happens, and we rage about it, and the headlines recede, and the world moves on, and then a few weeks later something else happens and we’re outraged again and then we move on, again. We have to stop that cycle,” Ujiri wrote.

Ujiri also mentioned the incident in Game 6 of last year’s NBA Finals in Oakland when he was stopped by a police officer while on his way to the court after the Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors to win their first NBA championship.

“I can’t write about this issue without acknowledging what happened to me last June. It’s been widely reported, but I’ll summarize it again. Our team had just won the NBA championship and I was rushing to get on the court to celebrate. I was stopped, physically stopped, by a police officer, and the confrontation turned nasty. There’s a lawsuit that’s still before the courts – he is suing me – so I can’t say too much,” said Ujiri.

“But I will say this: If it was another team president heading for the court – a white team president – would he have been stopped by that officer? I’ve wondered that.

“I recognize what happened in Oakland last June is very different from what happened in Minneapolis last Monday. My own experience only cost me a moment; Mr. Floyd’s experience cost him his life.”

The 49-year-old Ujiri is also the co-founder of Giants of Africa.

The Raptors organization released a statement on Saturday.

“As an organization and a community, we come from all over the world. We are diverse, we speak different languages, but our shared humanity unites us. When we see racism and violence committed against someone because of the colour of their skin, we should, and do, feel outrage. We cannot accept this. While we grieve for those we have lost, we know grieving is not enough. We must honour their memory by acknowledging these ills exist, confronting them, and coming together to create a better society. It is far past time.”


CFL Speaks Up

The CFL and commissioner Randy Ambrosie released statements via Twitter Sunday.

“Just as we celebrate diversity, we in the Canadian Football League condemn racism in all of its forms, silent and systemic or blatant and violent. In particular, no person should fear for his or her freedom, safety, or life because of the colour of his or her skin,” the CFL Tweet read.

Ambrosie released a separate statement via his personal Twitter account, acknowledging Canada has its issues with racism as well.

“As we watch events unfold in the US this weekend, the #CFL has issued a statement condemning racism,” he said. “It’s also important to acknowledge that our country has its own problems with race and our league’s history is far from perfect. Even if it is marked by many firsts for black athletes and coaches. I cannot pretend, coming from a place of privilege, to understand what it feels like for those whose lives are marked by the racism they must face every day. But I can stand with them. And I always will.”

Running back James Wilder Jr., who signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes in January, said he has been protesting and encouraged others to peacefully protest as well.

“Influencers and players I challenge you all to get out and lead a peaceful protest… Use our platform!!! The news reporters will follow us and it will show some kind of love and positivity we all need right now. Without us they’ll keep reporting only the bad stuff!!!

“All my white brothas and sisters I challenge y’all to peacefully protest with us. If y’all scared that’s ok I then challenge y’all to support us using your social media platform!!!

“I peacefully protested for 12hrs yesterday. My feet hurt my lower back is tight, my voice is gone Yet I’m getting dressed for another full day because it’s bigger than me. I know y’all getting tired peacful protestors stay strong brothas n sistas don’t let up!”

Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker and president of the Canadian Football League Players’ Association Solomon Elimimian released a statement as well.

“A message I shared with our players yesterday. Empathy is the only way we will get through this. There is no place for racial injustice. I encourage our players to speak out and use their platform for positive change!,” the tweet read.

Read the full statement below.

According to his Instagram story, Hamilton Tiger-Cats wide receiver Brandon Banks attended protests in Raleigh, North Carolina on Sunday and then came back Sunday morning to help clean up after seeing the damage done to the city.


Kopitar: It is our responsibility to advocate for justice and equality

Los Angeles forward Anze Kopitar says it’s time “to be better and do better,” after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“I know I’ll never understand what it is like to be black in America,” Kopitar said on Twitter. “What I do know is that it’s time to be better and do better. It is our responsibility to advocate for justice and equality, and to condom racism and prejudice of all forms. We cannot stay silent. We must work towards a better future.”

The Kings also released a statement on Sunday.


Hubbard Shows Support

Canadian running back Chuba Hubbard, who had a breakout season with the NCAA’s Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2019, tweeted out a show of support for the protest.


Rivers: This is a human issue

Los Angeles Clippers Doc Rivers issued a statement Sunday talking about his own experiences with racism and encouraged others to help make change happen by voting in November in the upcoming American presidential election.  

“We have allowed too many tragedies to pass in an. This isn’t an African-American issue. This is a human issue,” said Rivers.

Read the full statement below.


Bundesliga Pays Tribute

Players in Germany’s top soccer league paid tribute to George Floyd after scoring goals on Sunday.

Jadon Sancho of Borriso Dortmund revealed a “Justice for George Floyd” t-shirt underneath his jersey after scoring a goal in a rout of Paderborn.

Furthermore, Marcus Thuram of Borussia Monchengladbach knelt after scoring against Union Berlin. 


Carrick: We must see, acknowledge, listen to the struggles of minorities

New Jersey Devils defenceman Connor Carrick tweeted out a statement on Sunday, a day after fellow NHLers in Logan Couture and Blake Wheeler did the same.

Read below.


Stroman: Racism is thriving in America

Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman also tweeted about the protests and racism in the United States on Sunday.

“Racism is thriving in America. That’s a fact. If you choose to turn a blind eye towards it…you’re part of the problem that will continue to destroy this nation. Wake up and look in the mirror!”


Virtue: We cannot be passive as people are being killed

Two-time Olympic gold medalist ice dancer Tessa Virtue was another prominent athlete to issue a statement on social media.  

“Prejudice, discrimination, systemic racism, and pervasive inequality…none of it is ok. We cannot be passive as people are being killed. We must stand up for change, she said on Instagram. “I’ve been reflecting on the notion of privilege, and what it means to engage in uncomfortable conversations in order to stimulate personal growth and social change. Let’s have those conversations. Ultimately, we have to fight for what is right. I believe that #BlackLivesMatter.”


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Here’s what we know about the allegations against Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara

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LOS ANGELES –

Only a week has passed since the Los Angeles Dodgers abruptly fired Ippei Mizuhara, the interpreter and constant companion of their new $700 million slugger, Shohei Ohtani.

But the biggest story of baseball’s spring is still murky — and shocking — as the regular season begins in earnest Thursday.

The scandal encompasses gambling, alleged theft, extensive deceit and the breakup of an enduring partnership between the majors’ biggest star and his right-hand man. Investigations are underway by the IRS and Major League Baseball, and Ohtani publicly laid out a version of events Monday that placed the responsibility entirely on Mizuhara.

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Here are the basics as Ohtani and the Dodgers prepare for their home opener against St. Louis on Thursday:

Why was Ippei Mizuhara fired by the Dodgers?

Ohtani claims his close friend repeatedly took money from his accounts to fund his illegal sports gambling habit. Ohtani also says he was completely unaware of the “massive theft,” as his lawyers termed it, until Mizuhara confessed to him and the Dodgers last week in South Korea, where the team opened its regular season against the San Diego Padres.

Mizuhara has given more than one version of his path to this trouble, which was catalyzed by the IRS’ investigation of Mathew Bowyer, an alleged illegal bookmaker. Mizuhara has consistently said he has a gambling addiction, and he abused his close friendship with the Dodgers superstar to feed it.

Did Shohei Ohtani ever bet on sports?

That’s the biggest question to be answered in Major League Baseball’s investigation, and the two-time AL MVP emphatically says he has never gambled on sports or asked anybody to bet on sports for him.

Further, Ohtani said Monday he has never knowingly paid a bookie to cover somebody else’s bets. Mizuhara also said Ohtani does not bet, and Bowyer’s attorney said the same.

Mizuhara told ESPN on March 19 that Ohtani paid his gambling debts at the interpreter’s request, saying the bets were on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football. If that were true, Ohtani could face trouble even if he didn’t make the bets himself — but ESPN said Mizuhara dramatically changed his story the following day, claiming Ohtani had no knowledge of the gambling debts and had not transferred any money to bookmakers.

MLB rules prohibit players and team employees from wagering — even legally — on baseball. They also ban betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers.

What’s next for Ohtani?

Ohtani has played in every Dodgers game since the story broke, and he is expected to be their designated hitter in most regular-season games this season while baseball’s investigation continues.

Ohtani says his legal team has alerted authorities to the theft by Mizuhara, although his team has repeatedly declined to say which authorities have been told, according to ESPN.

Ohtani’s new interpreter is Will Ireton, a longtime Dodgers employee and fluent Japanese speaker who has filled several jobs with the team in everything from game preparation and analytics to recruiting free-agent pitches. But Ireton won’t be Ohtani’s constant companion, and manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday he’s optimistic that Ohtani will become closer to his teammates without the “buffer” provided for years by Mizuhara.

What don’t we know?

MLB’s investigation of Ohtani’s role in the events could last weeks or months, and it’s unlikely to be publicized until it’s complete. No one outside of Ohtani’s inner circle knows what it will find or how serious any repercussions could be, and nobody outside the circle is making informed speculation about the process.

One major question looms: How did Mizuhara have enough access to Ohtani’s bank accounts to get the alleged millions without Ohtani knowing? Is the slugger overly trusting, or is he wildly negligent in managing his vast fortune, which includes years of lavish endorsement deals in addition to his baseball salaries? Why didn’t the team around him, including his agent, do more to prevent the possibility of the theft he claims?

Finally, where is Mizuhara? Anybody who knows isn’t saying. He was fired in South Korea and apparently didn’t travel home with the Dodgers. Japanese media have visited his home in Southern California to look for him. Although he was born in Japan, Mizuhara’s life is in the U.S. — but his life will never be the same.

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NHL analyst gets absolutely roasted for ‘insanely rich’ take on Zach Hyman

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They say everyone is entitled to their opinion, but when you’re a member of the media and you share a truly awful take, you’re going to get called out for it.

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That’s what happened when NHL analyst/podcast host Andrew Berkshire decided to post a video on X (formerly known as Twitter) mainly attributing Zach Hyman’s success to the fact that he grew up “insanely rich.”

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The post came on the heels of the Oilers winger reaching the 50-goal milestone for the season and was rightly ripped apart by several notable colleagues, former players and fans in general.

In the video, which has been viewed more than 5.4 million times as of Wednesday morning, begins by stating that he has been in the sports media industry professionally since 2012 and that the industry “has to do a better job of telling truthful stories,” before discounting Hyman’s accomplishment.

“The story that’s being sold right now … is that, you know, if you work hard, if you stick to it, you can get there too, 31-year-old guy finally hits the 50-goal mark, harder worker, all that,” Berkshire said.

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“Yeah, great, except you’re missing the part of the story where Zach Hyman grew up insanely rich.”

Berkshire, who works as an analyst and host with the Steve Dangle Podcast Network, then details how Hyman’s parents bought a league to “guarantee him playing time,” and that he did “exclusive training that only a rich person … could afford.”

“This is a person that has had every single possible advantage to get where they are today,” Berkshire continued, before also bringing up the fact that Hyman has been fortunate enough to play on teams and lines with Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid most of his career.

While Berkshire does state that Hyman is a hard worker and brings grit when he plays, he also discounts it almost immediately.

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“Working hard, everybody works hard. You think every NHLer didn’t get there by working hard?” he asks. “Let’s not build this stupid narrative of ‘work hard, you’ll succeed.’ It’s just not true.

“There are people who’ve worked as hard as Zach Hyman their entire lives and never got a sniff of the American Hockey League, let alone the NHL because they didn’t have the advantages he had.”

Former Leafs defenceman turned NHL analyst Carlo Colaiacovo thought the whole take was ridiculous, posting the following: “Let me tell you something Andrew. You can’t buy your way to the NHL. You definitely can’t buy your way to having the career Hyman has had which includes scoring 50. Pretty ridiculous thing to say.”

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Retired NHLer Bobby Ryan was one of the first to weigh in, calling the opinion “purely false.”

“As someone who has maybe lived on both ends of the ‘financial edge’ I can say this is just purely false. Who cares, he accomplished a feat not many do and to downplay the way it’s reported is just wrong. You show up, do the work, good things happen,” Ryan posted on X.

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Jonathan Goodman, who claims he was Hyman’s personal trainer and tasked with getting the budding pro ready for the combine, had a glowing review of his former pupil’s work ethic.

“Yes, he had advantages. His family was wealthy and father obsessed with his success,” he said. “But the dude worked hard. Harder than anybody I’ve ever seen.”

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But, perhaps another former NHLer, Jason Strudwick said it best, replying to the video by asking: “Did Hyman not sign an autograph for you one time?”

 

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