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Blackistone later tweeted that NFL halfback Joe Lilliard was "a standout in the league in the early 1930s and just as cantankerous as many white players back then, but was castigated for being so." Even if they could see you…they couldn’t guard you!Ĭongrats on the historic performance and to on advancing to the Final Four! #WFinalFour - John Cena March 28, 2023Īfter Reese faced backlash for returning the gesture, many people, including professional athletes, took to Twitter to point out the racist double standard.Īnd this is far from the only time that's happened, Washington Post sports columnist and ESPN panelist Kevin Blackistone told Morning Edition on Monday.įor example: Jack Johnson, who became the first Black heavyweight boxing champion early in the 20th century, was called cowardly for the same defensive style of boxing that earned white fighters praise for using their guile.
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