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"All around the sports world, athletes are coming together to protest, to advocate, to use their platforms, their team-building skills, their voices for change. Activism is coming from college athletes, former prep legends, superstar professionals. It feels like a movement. “In the time since I’ve been alive, I don’t remember this strong an impact, this many people being upset and emotional,” 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman said last week. Will what we’ve seen in the past few weeks be sustainable in the athletic community? When games return, will players’ voices be muted by the business of sports, as they have been in the past? “I don’t think the energy will slow down,” Sherman said. “I think guys will use their platforms once games return, their social media and press conferences. They’ll continue to fight the good fight. It’s a lifetime of living like this.” Calls for change are sweeping the sports world, from college campuses, to hockey rinks and NASCAR racetracks and even into the basement of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The sports world is engaged. Sharks wing Evander Kane along with six other current and former NHL players have founded the Hockey Diversity Alliance. Kane has wanted to do something for years about the lack of diversity and overt racism in his sport, and decided the moment is now. “We couldn’t just stand by and allow these things to happen in society or in our sport, so we want to attack both at the same time,” Kane said last week. “The events that have occurred, with George Floyd’s death amplifying things, has put a stamp on how big an issue this is in our society. We want to take the initiative. “To be honest, I’ve been waiting for 11 years and I’m fed up. This is a great opportunity to change the narrative of the sport.” Part of the impetus came last November when Akim Aliu, one of the Alliance’s founders, talked publicly about the racial slurs his one-time coach Bill Peters directed toward him. Peters subsequently resigned as head coach of the Calgary Flames. Last month, Aliu — who now plays with a Czech club — detailed his story in the Player’s Tribune, which spurred action. “Let’s no longer talk about these issues but do something about them,” said Kane, who added that Colin Kaepernick consulted with his group. “Let’s create initiatives and help implement some policies and changes in the league.” On June 1, a week after Floyd was killed by police on a street in Minneapolis, the Stanford women’s soccer team posted an open letter on social media, with the words “We are hurt, we are outraged, we are tired of inaction.” “Speaking out in support of equal rights cannot merely be a trend,” the team wrote. “We must start by having difficult conversations, acknowledging privilege where it exists and educating ourselves on how to better serve all citizens of our country.” Reigning national champion, Stanford will be the first team to play a game on campus in the fall if schedules take place as planned, and the Cardinal plans to carry the message forward. “As a team we talk a lot about not letting the momentum die down,” captain Naomi Girma said. “There are so many things happening, so many things building up, and people have had enough. Our biggest responsibility is to keep the momentum going.” The team is partnering with RaceForward.org to raise funds beginning Monday, and plans to keep the issue of social justice in the spotlight. “We know we’re role models, and wherever we go we can make a difference in the world,” said forward Civana Kuhlmann. “We want to let people know where we stand. There’s no room for neutral ground.” On a cool Friday morning, several dozen protesters marched from San Francisco City Hall up McAllister Street. The Athletes United for Justice march was organized by men whose athletic glory is behind them but who remain involved in the community. Lawrence Gray, CEO of Midnight Basketball League, and Joe Belfrey of City Ball brought athletes past and present together. “We’re looking to advance the message of justice, particularly in low-income communities,” Belfrey said. Marching with them were a variety of people, including members of the San Francisco Ballet, the Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League and Jason Mattox, a former quarterback at Galileo High who — like many in the march — has his own harrowing tale of police brutality. “Part of the power of being an athlete is we know how to unite ourselves,” said Ike Elliott of City Ball. “We learn how to grow and work together to make things happen.” San Jose State athletes have collaborated with UC Santa Barbara athletes to raise almost $80,000 in a few days, forming an organization called Athletes4CHNGES. Players have protested on the soccer fields in Germany’s Bundesliga. LeBron James is focusing efforts to fight voter suppression. University of Texas athletes are asking for change in university traditions. Athletes are embracing activism. “Some people say, ‘Oh, I’m so tired of dealing with these race issues in sports,’” Sherman said. “How do you think black people feel? We’ve been dealing with it forever. “This time it’s too full-fledged. No one can turn away from what they’re seeing.” Ann Killion is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: akillion@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @annkillion"
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