Hill, Sharpe and Bayless discuss the continued calls for social justice; Others ponder sports’ resumption

Celebrated ESPN anchor, Hannah Storm, eloquently took to Twitter reminding us all that the “sports world cannot treat racism as an ‘of the moment’ issue — we have a responsibility to help effect permanent change.” Hannah underscores how we all must be “committed to having long term and sustainable dialogue, education, and action.” Storm’s message is indicative of what must happen in the United States so that there is truly life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.

As social injustice conversations and demonstrations continue and as the resumption of sports continues to creep closer and closer, social media was booming.

Time for a look at the talkies’ takes on Twitter…

Jemele Hill (Writer for THE ATLANTIC) – @jemelehill

• Jemele Hill was active on Twitter this week. She has been vocal about social injustice and economic inequality. Hill maintains that systemic racism still prevails throughout the United States.

“Black folks: We need white people to acknowledge historical injustices that have created a disproportionate system, fix the broken, police culture and stop asking us to soothe them in difficult conversations about race.”

Keith Olbermann (ESPN Anchor) – @KeithOlbermann

• Keith Olbermann retweeted several posts that have to do with the protests that are occurring all-around the country. Furthermore, Olbermann seemed to also take a shot at MLB.

“If you’d like to learn how NOT to do public relations, pay attention to MLB on even-numbered days and MLBPA on odd-numbered days.”

Dan Patrick (Host of Dan Patrick Show) – @dpshow

• On Tuesday, June 9^th, Patrick had a great deal to say about the NFL. From player contract negotiations to the question of whether a second wave of COVID-19 will interrupt the 2020-21 NFL season, there is much to be discussed. Furthermore, he pondered whether a team will sign Colin Kaepernick.

Shannon Sharpe (FOX Sports) – @ShannonSharpe

• Shannon Sharpe was vocal this week on his Twitter platform. He praised NBA superstar, Russell Westbrook, for his leadership during #BlackLivesMatter protests. Furthermore, Sharpe emotes about how politics and sports have always been aligned.

“Politics have always been in sports. Where have you been? Tms win championships, where do they go visit?”

“Blacks have been in a pandemic since 1619 and we still haven’t found a cure.”

Ken Rosenthal (MLB on FOX Reporter) – @Ken_Rosenthal

• Ken Rosenthal was a source of information for MLB this week. From the scheduling proposals to the expanded playoff format and from salary cuts to having no fans in the stands, Rosenthal broke down the alternatives for MLB enthusiasts.

Skip Bayless (FOX Sports) – @RealSkipBayless

• Bayless shared his insight on LeBron James and on Clemson head football coach, Dabo Sweeney. Skip felt as if LeBron could not be doing a better job advocating for social justice on behalf of the American population. On the other hand, Bayless openly opines that in his eyes, Dabo is being “insensitive” and relates that “Dabo cannot see past the end of his own nose in his privileged Kingdom that he rules.”

“This is when I applaud and laud LeBron like never before. He’s turned into the greatest superstar watchdog for social justice.”

Jim Rome (CBS Sports) – @jimrome

• Rome was a bit quieter this week than normally. His tweets involved professional boxer, Shakur Stevenson, who recently won his boxing match against Felix Caraballo.

Jeff Passan (ESPN MLB Insider) – @JeffPassan

• With the influx of MLB negotiations between the MLBPA and owners, Passan was tweeting by the hour this week. There have been talks of a 48-game season, of a 114-game season, of a 76-game season, and most recently, of an 89-game season. When will there finally be a verdict? Passan also explained how players deemed to be “high-risk” individuals can opt out of the 2020 season and retain their salaries and service time.

Colin Cowherd (Fox Sports) – @ColinCowherd

• This week, Colin Cowherd shared his views on players in the NBA and NFL. He opined that Washington Wizards, two-time All-Star, Bradley Beal, is the “most underrated player in the NBA.” Furthermore, Cowherd offered some high praise for Denver Broncos QB, Drew Luck. Cowherd claimed that “Drew Luck is the pop guy in the NFL this season” and underscored his feeling that Denver has a chance to win the AFC West over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Dick Vitale (ESPN Analyst) – @DickieV

• It was a big week for Dick Vitale! On Tuesday, June 9^th, Vitale turned 81 years-old. While his Twitter feed was buzzing with best wishes from his friends and family, Vitale had a powerful message for his followers:

“A simple theory that I have tried to apply in my daily life is – TREAT ppl like I want to be treated. If we ALL did that our nation would be so much better. We must all unite by having more positive communication – trust – respect – love for each other.”

Dan Le Batard & Stugotz (ESPN) – @LeBatardShow

• Dan Le Batard and Stugotz once again used their Twitters for their entertaining poll questions, with which followers were able to interact. The questions did not focus on current societal news, such as the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the coronavirus. For example, one of the questions was “Is Stugotz physically and fundamentally incapable of feeling emotion while reading?”

Trey Wingo (Co-host of Golic & Wingo on ESPN) – @wingoz

• The tweets kept on coming from Trey Wingo’s Twitter handle this week. There wasn’t one specific topic that Wingo addressed. Instead, he retweeted an assortment of tweets relating to professional athletes responding to the #BlackLivesMatter movement and to the salaries or potential performances of NFL players, such as Nick Foles, Todd Gurley, CeeDee Lamb, and Dalvin Cook.

Rich Eisen (Rich Eisen Show on NBC Sports Network) – @richeisen

• Rich Eisen posted many brief segments from his show, the Rich Eisen Show, on to his Twitter page this week. Some of the topics he covered included MMA, MLB, and the NFL.

Some talkies were a bit quieter than normal this week on their Twitter accounts:

• Chris “Mad Dog” Russo (Sirius XM) – @MadDogUnleashed
• Doris Burke (ESPN Analyst and Reporter) – @heydb
• Michelle Beadle (ESPN) – @MichelleDBeadle
• Stephen A. Smith (ESPN) – @stephenasmith
• Charissa Thompson (Host of FOX NFL Kickoff Show) – @CharissaT