The 2016 ESPYS kicked off with a special message from a few NBA stars, as Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James educated the audience.
In a world filled with turmoil, sometimes it takes a loud voice to make change. Often times, people turn the other cheek, afraid of who may be offended by their words. During the opening of the ESPYS, NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James would not be silent.
Here is a short clip of Anthony’s open:
The message was loud and clear: Athletes need to do more to ease the tension in the world. Like the great Muhammad Ali, who did not care what people thought of him, athletes need to stand up and be heard.
Wade spoke about the gun violence in the world, including Chicago, Dallas, and Orlando. He challenged the athletes to do more than just what they do in the community. He told the crowd that you cannot only do it when it is convenient, you have to always strive to help the community. His message was “enough is enough.”
James spoke of renouncing all violence. He called out for everybody to do better. He told the crowd that retaliation is not the answer, and that people who can make a difference have to do better.
Athletes have an opportunity to really make a change in the world, and these superstars stood on the front lines of change on that stage.
It is not often that athletes take a stand. At the ESPYS, in front of the whole world, these four superstars put a call to action to everyone, and their message was heard loud and clear.
Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.
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