Bruce Arians Has A Message For Protesting Athletes
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians has a controversial message for protesting athletes. That message? Protesting does not accomplish anything.
“Protesting doesn’t do crap in my opinion,” he said. “I’ve been seeing it since 1968.”
Bucs coach Bruce Arians on athletes protesting: “Protesting doesn’t do crap in my opinion. I’ve been seeing it since 1968.” He said he believes in taking action.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) August 27, 2020
Arians’ made his opinion on protests known Thursday morning, one day after NBA players staged an impromptu strike in response to what they describe as continued racial injustice in the United States. Most recently, the players were deeply troubled by the shooting of Jacob Blake, who was left paralyzed by police.
“I think your responsibility is to take action,” Arians said.
“I don’t know that protest is an action. I think each guy, as a personal thing, I would beg them to take action, find a cause, either support it financially or do something to change the situation.”
Arians on athletes protesting: “I think your responsibility is to take action. I don’t know that protest is an action. I think each guy, as a personal thing, I would beg them to take action, find a cause, either support it financially or do something to change the situation.”
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) August 27, 2020
Needless to say, the response to Arians’ commentary on the matter was mixed and very colorful.
Some agreed with what he was saying.
Agreed. I hope these athletes use their time as much as their platform. Hard for people to take them for their words when it comes to injustice when they’re sitting pretty with their millions. Actions speak much louder. Go get out there and do something. In the trenches.
— John Neal (@jdneal22) August 27, 2020
I agree; unfortunately, I have no idea what that actually means or looks like.
— Shane Goodridge (@SMG8816) August 27, 2020
That’s my coach
— Jackson Mauro (@JacksonMauro9) August 27, 2020
Others vehemently disagreed.
Um isn’t protesting taking action
— Tony Laine (@tonylaine) August 27, 2020
Protesting clearly raises awareness, Accomplishes its goal.
— Frankie🔥 (@FrankieFlRE) August 27, 2020
Respectfully BA is wrong here. Protesting is action. It’s civil disobedience. It’s getting in the way of “normalcy” because normal isn’t working. It’s sparking uncomfortable conversation, which is always a necessary first step to change. It’s not 100% effective, but nothing is.
— nicardo (@NicardoNeil) August 27, 2020
While Arians clearly does not view protesting as something that gets things done, various athletes across the NBA and NFL disagree with him.
On Wednesday afternoon, after the Milwaukee Bucks launched the first player protest, countless notable names from across all the sports leagues came out in support of the decision.
WE DEMAND CHANGE! SALUTE @Bucks ✊🏾🙏🏾🗣
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 26, 2020
WE DEMAND JUSTICE!!!
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) August 26, 2020
FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2020
Respect @bucks!!!!
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) August 26, 2020
Respect! ✊🏾
— LaMarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) August 26, 2020
BIGGER THAN BASKETBALL!
✊🏽🤞🏽🙏🏽
— Damion Lee (@Dami0nLee) August 26, 2020
The NFL world reacts to the Bucks boycotting Game 5 of their series vs. the Magic. pic.twitter.com/m8AzkwyjHk
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 26, 2020
This is a tense time and everyone’s emotions are very raw. Arians’ take is polarizing, to say the least. It will be interesting to see how it is ultimately received in the locker room.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a lot to be excited about in 2020. It remains to be seen if these comments ultimately cause a rift in the locker room of any sort.
Related: LeBron James Upset He’s Not Getting To Lead NBA Movement?
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
