Over the course of the last week, several New York sports coaches and executives have held media conference calls to discuss the pending resumptions of their seasons.
Within a few of those calls, certain coaches and execs were asked their thoughts about what they’ve seen from their teams in a different way: how they reacted to how players have spoken out about social justice issues and what’s going on in our world today.
Any platform and any voice can have an impact, so we’ve curated three specific quotes from Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, and interim Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn so their thoughts are heard.
YANKEES MANAGER AARON BOONE: “I’m excited that they are expressing themselves. I always want our guys to feel that freedom, and feel like they can voice anything, especially in the situation that we’re in. I always encourage that, and our guys have been awesome in this, stimulating and encouraging conversations. What we’re going through as a country, I hope and believe we’ll come out of it better for going through these times. We’ve started these dialogues in our organization, and it’s something we’ll continue to encourage. The kind of culture we try and create in our clubhouse is one where guys can be themselves and bring up tough issues, and I’ll encourage guys to speak their minds and hearts. I truly believe that we are a close-knit team, and hopefully this is something that will bring us even closer as brothers when we dig into tough issues.”
METS GENERAL MANAGER BRODIE VAN WAGENEN: “I’m proud of them, I really am. Our players have a voice, and a platform to influence people and thought. When I heard and saw some of the comments our players made publicly, I let them know that the organization supported them, knowing the impact their words would have on others. We as an organization are happy that our players are willing and able to have a voice, and want to see change taking place.”
NETS INTERIM HEAD COACH JACQUE VAUGHN: “I think our group is open to conversation and the challenge of growing, and it fits into our whole concept of, we really do care about you, not only on the floor but in life. This is an opportunity where I do it in my home with my two boys, I’m proud of that. A big part of it is me as an African-American man, a male raising two African-American teenagers, so it starts in my home and my conversations. It’s a heck of a challenge. And then I’ve got other guys I’ve got to do it with in the locker room, because it’s my duty to continue this conversation there. The challenge I have for this organization is the conversations that we’re having aren’t one-off, and it’s great that this is a continuing conversation. That’s where the change and the elevation will happen overall. There’s a Hebrew term, ‘tikkun olam,’ which means ‘world repair,’ and I have to do my part.”
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