The Political Athlete

From The New Yorker’s archive: a selection of pieces about sports and activism. View in browser | Update your preferences The Political Athlete We just witnessed a historic wildcat strike led by the Milwaukee Bucks to protest racist police brutality in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and beyond. The team took action in the wake of even more rapid activism in the W.N.B.A. This week, we’re bringing you a selection of pieces about athletes and political activism. In “The Exhilarating Jolt of the Milwaukee Bucks’ Wildcat Strike,” Vinson Cunningham writes about how the players’ action delivered a profound statement of support for those fighting against the normalization of police shootings. In “Muhammad Ali and His Audience,” Allyson Hobbs examines the fighter’s legacy and why it resonates so deeply with African-Americans. In “The Political Athlete: Then and Now,” Hua Hsu considers the significance of Colin Kaepernick’s protests. In “Michael Bennett’s Political Football,” Louisa Thomas explores efforts by the recently retired defensive end to rally the players in the National Football League. Finally, Ben McGrath tells the story of the former St. Louis Cardinal lineman David Meggyesy, who protested the Vietnam War during the Super Bowl, in 1968. Not everyone wants to “play ball” when the political stakes are so high. —David Remnick From The New Yorker’s Archive The Sporting Scene The Exhilarating Jolt of the Milwaukee Bucks’ Wildcat Strike The spectacle of the empty court on Wednesday night, a stage for action rendered radiantly fallow, was a rejection of normalcy. By Vinson Cunningham News Desk Muhammad Ali and His Audience Ali fought outside of the ring, too. He didn’t always win. By Allyson Hobbs The Sporting Scene Michael Bennett’s Political Football The Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive end wants N.F.L. players to be a force for social change. By Louisa Thomas Cultural Comment The Political Athlete: Then and Now The moral drama of sports falls on our ability to interpret and project. By Hua Hsu The Sporting Scene The Player Who Protested During the National Anthem Fifty Years Ago David Meggyesy was accused of disrespecting the national anthem in a sport with a culture that has long celebrated authoritarian deference. By Ben McGrath Newsletters Sign Up for The New Yorker’s Food Newsletter Get essays on food, restaurant reviews, and notes for the kitchen, all delivered to your in-box. This e-mail was sent to you by The New Yorker. To insure delivery, we recommend adding newyorker@newsletters.newyorker.com, to your contacts, while noting that it is a no-reply address. Please send all newsletter feedback to tnyinbox@newyorker.com. For more from The New Yorker, sign up for our newsletters, shop the store, and sign in to newyorker.com, where subscribers always have unlimited access. Contact us with questions. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2020. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.