As pro leagues stand still, BYU and college football balance preparation with speaking out

PROVO — While sports leagues and teams, even within college football, were taking a breaking from playing and practicing to highlight racial inequality in the United States, BYU players met in the student-athlete building and got back to work.

It’s not that they don’t want to speak out about racial equality or police brutality in the wake of another police shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

But the Cougars also have a game for which to prepare, just 12 days away Sept. 7 at Navy.

“I think the team right now is just focusing on Navy,” versatile defensive back Troy Warner said. “That’s something we like to pride ourselves on; when we’re in the facilities, we like to keep our focus at hand. Right now, that’s the biggest thing we’re focused on.”

That Warner set aside his desire to use his platform to speak out and against social injustice speaks volumes. The fifth-year senior from San Marcos, California, who is Black, was an instrumental voice in driving the Cougars’ summer video in support of Black Lives Matter — a video entitled, “Be The Change.”

The Cougars’ platform will come, too.

The Cougars’ opener against Navy — the program’s first game against the Midshipmen since 1989 — will be televised nationally by ESPN on Labor Day.

It will take the place of ESPN’s usual college football kickoff, often involving perennial powers like Alabama or Ohio State. And it’s usually a warm-up to the Worldwide Leader’s production of Monday Night Football in the NFL.

So yes, there will be a time and a place for everything.

“I echo what Troy said about the focusing being on Navy,” BYU receivers coach Fesi Sitake said after Thursday’s practice. “But I also think there’s a message that you can be focused on the task at hand and still honor and respect some things going on right now.

“We’re prepping for Navy, but we understand there are very serious issues that people are standing up against. We support whatever our guys individually feel. These are really sensitive times right now, but we also have a game with Navy. I think there’s definitely an ability to balance those two things.”

Around the country, players and coaches stood up — and stopped playing — in support of racial equality. Balls stopped dribbling for the second-straight day in the bubbles provided for the NBA and WNBA postseasons. The WNBA called Thursday a day for conversation and reflection in the fight for justice. Many called on fans of the players, teams and leagues to register to vote to make their voices heard.

Nine NFL teams halted practice Thursday, in addition to the Lions, who canceled Tuesday's practice. The NHL put the Stanley Cup playoffs on pause, and Major League Baseball’s activism led to a powerful moment when the Mets and Marlins walked off the field following a 42-second moment of silence, leaving nothing but a Black Lives Matter T-shirt draped over home plate at Citi Field.

Athletes from men's and women's basketball, football and other sports rallied at Duke to speak out in support of equality and against police brutality.

In college football, teams were taking similar action. Four teams — Baylor, Boston College, Kentucky and South Florida — canceled practices Thursday. The Bears used the time to march from the athletic complex to the heart of the Waco, Texas campus in prayer and unity.

BC coach Jeff Hafley said his team discussed racism in the United States, first as a whole and then in small groups.

In South Florida, new Bulls head coach Jeff Scott was choked with emotion as he addressed the media following his team’s cancelation.

“These are real-life situations that are going on,” Scott said. “I think as a coach, you always take pride in being able to fix things for your players. This is one of those situations that, as a coach, you can’t fix for your players.”

Don’t think it’s not something that BYU’s roster isn’t experiencing. Many players like Warner have fears and concerns regarding racial inequality — some have spoken out on them, both individually and as a group. But Warner also realizes there’s a time and a place for all things, and that includes activism.

“It’s definitely a balance,” said Lopini Katoa, a Polynesian running back from American Fork. “A lot of crazy things are happening in the world, with really important issues — but we also have to focus on our team. Our next game is our main focus. But at the same time, being able to show respect for those social issues is needed. It’s a hard balance, but we’re trying to get ready for Navy.”

Inside and outside the building, the Cougars will do what they can to use their voices to protest inequality. Between the lines of practice, it’s all business.

“We just had the mindset to come to practice today, grind and get ready for Navy,” Warner said. “That’s what is on our mind right now.”

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