Athletes Are Finding Their Voices and Changing College Football

It feels like something is happening. Many sports analysts, particularly analytics lovers, don’t think momentum is a real thing. Maybe it’s not, but right now, it feels like there’s momentum for change, and college athletes are feeling it too. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, and the protests that followed, college athletes are doing their part in evoking change, and it could change college sports forever.

Hawkeyes Spark Change

At the University of Iowa, a large coalition of former Hawkeyes football players spoke out against the program, specifically against longtime strength coach Chris Doyle. It started with former Iowa offensive linemen James Daniels tweeted, “There are too many racial disparities in the Iowa football program. Black players have been treated unfairly for far too long.” Former Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker, now with the Tennessee Titans, added in a tweet, “I remember whenever walking into the facility it would be difficult for black players to walk around the facility and be themselves. As if the way you grew up was the wrong way or wasn’t acceptable & that you would be judge by that and it would impact playing time.”

Other players that played at Iowa over the years shared a similar sentiment. Former Iowa running back Toren Young, who just played for the university last season, said in a now-deleted tweet, “If you are a black player you quickly learn to conform to white culture.” On June 15, a week after being placed on administrative leave, Iowa reached a separation agreement with Chris Doyle. As part of the agreement, Doyle will receive 15 months’ pay, worth over $1 million.

The fact that someone who made black players feel uncomfortable is still able to get a $1 million payout from the university is disappointing, but his ouster is still a win for college athletes. Doyle had been with the program since 1999, removing a coach so entrenched in the program is a big deal.

Chuba Hubbard & Oklahoma State Players Make a Stand

Chris Doyle wasn’t the only coach that players have spoken up against. After a picture of Oklahoma State University head coach Mike Gundy wearing a One America News Network shirt was posted on social media, his players took a stand.

If you don’t know why players were upset by their coach wearing a news network shirt, that’s not a surprise. One America News (OAN) is a far-right news channel that only reaches approximately 35 million homes. Recently, they’ve been in the news after President Donald Trump perpetuated one of their stories that the 75 year old man pushed by police in Buffalo, causing his head to bleed was an ANTIFA provocateur. That story is a completely unfounded conspiracy theory without any evidence. This article in The Atlantic sheds more light on OAN.

In response to Gundy’s shirt choice, Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard took to social media to voice his displeasure. He tweeted, “I will not stand for this, This is completely insensitive to everything going on in society, and it’s unacceptable. I will not be doing anything with Oklahoma State until things change.”

That’s quite the statement. Hubbard is considered a Heisman Trophy candidate and is one of the best players in college football. His words have weight, and that was quickly felt. Other Oklahoma State players were quick to back Hubbard, linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga tweeted, “I stand with him!”

Many were outraged by the Oklahoma State players who spoke out about their coach wearing a shirt. “It’s just a news network t-shirt, stop crying, snowflake” and “what happened to freedom of expression,” were common retorts. Ironically, the same people calling for freedom of expression were the same people trying to stop Hubbard from expressing his opinion. Gundy’s OAN shirt might just be a shirt, and he has every right to wear it, but Hubbard and others also have every right to speak up about it if it offends them or makes them feel unwelcome at Oklahoma State. Freedom of expression doesn’t equal freedom of consequences, and Hubbard and his teammates made their voices heard.

Less than 12 hours after Hubbard’s tweet, he posted a video of himself with Gundy. Gundy promised change, Hubbard apologized for not going directly to Gundy, and the two embraced. Interestingly enough, it was Hubbard who offered an apology and not Gundy. While Hubbard was direct, Gundy danced around the subject, saying it was a “very sensitive issue.” Probably not the response players were looking for, but Hubbard promised that there’s more to come, tweeting “No don’t get it twisted. Foots still on the gas. Results are coming. It’s not over.”

Mike Gundy wasn’t fired over his choice of shirt, and perhaps he didn’t need to be. However, thanks to players speaking up, he has promised change. Words have power, and players are realizing that they can take a stand to foster change. If momentum exists, it’s happening now in thanks to the thousands of people who are fighting for change. Hopefully, more athletes feel empowered to speak up and keep this momentum rolling.