Photo Credit: Kwaku Alston/ Sports Illustrated
Alongside the likes of former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Pope Francis on Time’s 100 Most Influential People List are some of the biggest names in sports. The always beautiful and exceptionally talented Beyonce graces this year’s cover and the magazine will hit stands this Friday. Also getting some cover love is Nets Jason Collins.
Let’s be honest, Collins is not on this list for his production on the court. Collins is on the internal cover for his brave decision to announce to the world that he is gay, making him the first openly gay player in the NBA. Since his decision to come out to the world, NFL prospect Michael Sam and Boston College’s guard Derrick Gordon have both made the same decision to come out publicly. Both credit Collins with opening the door and allowing them to be comfortable with who they are. Chelsea Clinton wrote the piece about her friend from Stanford and comments on his “fierceness” on the court and his “kindness” off of it.
If you watched even one minute of football this season, it was likely the moment when Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman said “he was the best corner in the league” after being a key factor in his team defeating the San Francisco 49ers and advancing to Super Bowl 48. That moment caused a frenzy with some people labeling Sherman a “thug” and other horrible names that no one should ever be subjected to.
However, instead of strictly apologizing for his remarks during the postgame interview, he opened up the conversation about the word thug and its implications. The 25-year-old Compton native who graduated from Stanford and is an active member of the community made people come clean about their true feelings. Are you strictly calling him a thug because of the color of his skin? Had he been a white player would his remarks even be questions? Oh and his team also won the Super Bowl, holding Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense to a mere eight points. Basically, if you did not know who Richard Sherman was before, now you do.
She is one of the most dominant athletes of all time. Her name is synonymous with tennis. Serena Williams is a true role model for young girls. Williams is known for her hard work and passion on the court. She is a true competitor who never accepts losing, but in real life her success is what humbles her. Her good friend and fellow athlete Dwyane Wade wrote the piece about the tennis superstar. He understands how hard it is to come back from injuries and admires how she has never let anything stand in her way.
