Athletes Get Out The Vote Initiatives
As early voting is underway across the country, athletes are stepping up to make sure that people get to the ballot boxes.
The National Football League launched the NFL Votes campaign to help people make their voter “game plan.” Stars like Richard Sherman and George Kittle lent their voices to the initiative.
A number of NFL legends are also helping with voter registration efforts, including Hall of Famer and 2003 Walter Payton Man of the Year Will Shields.
.@NFLLegends @ChesterPitts, Steven Jackson, and @ProFootballHOF member Will Shields are helping with voter registration and mail-in ballots in their communities. #NFLVotes #InspireChange
https://t.co/HDJjlgHUrE
A group of Major League Soccer players created Black Players for Change. The initiative started in July, when players from Orlando City and Inter Miami demonstrated at center field.
What an incredibly powerful pregame display from @BPCMLS #MLSisBack #MLSisBlack
(via @MLS)
They also made a video called “We’re In Stoppage Time: Make A Plan” where they encourage people to make a voting plan.
They’re also partnering with LeBron James’s nonprofit, More Than A Vote. Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse posted about it on Instagram.
LeBron is of course a leading voice in social justice across all professional sports, and his More Than A Vote initiative is just the latest example of his incredible activism.
He’s not only partnering with the MLS, but also Michelle Obama’s initiative, When We All Vote. They’re supporting early voting sites throughout October.
Other NBA players are joining LeBron as well, including Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony. They’re using their social media platforms to encourage people to get to the polls.
My guys @carmeloanthony @CP3 and I partnered with @FinishLine for their Community Voices series to talk voting, @Socialchangefnd, @HBCUHeroes and our work to empower communities of color. They even surprised us with a very generous donation! 4pm est today- @FinishLine IGTV- VOTE!
They also made sure their fellow NBA players are voting. In 2016, only 22% of NBA players voted. This year, voter registration in the league is at 96%.
After just 22% of NBA players voted in 2016, the league is up to 96% registration https://t.co/uxFv73biTp via @ABC
WNBA players are leading efforts as well. They joined forces with Rock The Vote for the Hoopers Vote Initiative. Carolyn Swords from the Las Vegas Aces and WNBA legend Lisa Leslie helped explain why voting is so important.
Happy Hoopers Vote Day! We are so excited to announce our new campaign #HoopersVote with some of the leading WNBA & NBA players that have graced the court!
Head to https://t.co/H7LENHGf8R to learn more!
Earlier in October, the Portland Trail Blazers hosted thousands at the Moda Center in a voter drive where fans could come pick up stickers and educational material.
When NBA players boycotted the playoffs in August, they made voting a key part of their agenda. Spurred by owner Michael Jordan, the Charlotte Hornets decided to turn the Spectrum Center into an early-voting site. They also promised to offer transportation options and free parking so that people could get there.
College sports got on board too. Georgia Tech set up early voting at its McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta.
McCamish Pavilion is now open for early voting from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm #buzztotheballot
Have you registered to vote yet? No? Well what are you waiting for? Click here to get registered so you can make a difference.
BuzzFeed Daily
Keep up with the latest daily buzz with the BuzzFeed Daily newsletter!
Sahred From Source link Sports
