Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s recent display of racism is far more than a basketball issue. It’s a global issue that has sparked a reaction in almost everyone, including those in the Boston Red Sox’s clubhouse.
Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who is black, acknowledged this week just how big it was for NBA commissioner Adam Silver to ban Sterling from the league while also fining the Clippers owner $2.5 million. As far as Bradley’s concerned — and he’s certainly not alone — there’s no room for racism in this world.
“It’s definitely frowned upon obviously by the commissioner’s statement and the penalty,” Bradley told CSNNE.com earlier this week. “I feel like (racism) is something that shouldn’t be still alive. We’re all working to the same goal trying to be the best that we can.
“I think racism — I’m not saying that (Sterling’s) racist, I don’t know if he is or not. I don’t know about all the past things, I’ve only heard certain things, but it’s not a good cause. I hope everything works its way out.”
If there was any good to come from the unfortunate situation involving Sterling, in which the owner was recorded making racist remarks to his girlfriend, it was that the NBA seemed to bond over taking a stand.
“They’re becoming as one,” Bradley told CSNNE.com of the NBA. “And I think that was the commissioner’s first big move, was to make an example. It’s 2014, it shouldn’t still be alive. It’s just a negative light. As someone who is a high-ranking official (Sterling), it’s supposed to be a lot more positive reinforcement involved.”
Bradley wasn’t directly involved in anything involving Sterling. But he didn’t need to be to feel something. No one needed to be.
