But for a couple of decades, beginning in the 1990s and until recent years, it was rare for Black athletes to speak out on social issues for fear of aliening fans, sponsors, management, or their own personal brand.

Blacks deaths at the hands of police in recent years have finally convinced some Black athletes to speak out against them and other racial injustices as well.

“It was not just the Black athletes, but there were White allies there, too,” recalled University of Oregon Assistant Professor Dr. Courtney Cox.

Ruffin-Platt, whose cousin was killed by police near her home several years ago, said on the Floyd protests, “We’re fighting racism in America.

“I’ve been on fire since Michael Brown [who was killed by police in 2014], working to address institutional and individual racism and other forms of oppression,” Faloughi said, adding that he is not surprised that Black male and female pro and college athletes literally are in the streets.