Black people in this country are hurting and Randy Moss used his NFL Hall of Fame induction time as a healing opportunity for social upliftment. Moss offered support for the families unjustifiably murdered at the hands of the police with their names on his tie. He didn’t want people to lose sight of the real narrative.
The Shadow League on Twitter
At his Hall of Fame induction ceremony @RandyMoss made a powerful statement with his tie, reminding everyone why Colin Kaepernick took a knee in the first place ( @LaTonyaStory ) #PFHOF18
Most players who are inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame consider the Canton ceremony a time to reflect on past success, praise themselves and thank the people who have helped them along the way. With two diva receivers being inducted in T.O.and Moss, the assumption was that there would be a lot of self-praise going on. Unfortunately, there was a third option that revealed itself, as Ray Lewis (complete with a wireless mic, another first) along with Johnathan Ogden began to two-step and reminisce before and during Lewis’ HOF induction speech.
Fox News on Twitter
Former NFL players Ray Lewis, right, and Jonathan Ogden dance on stage during Lewis’ induction speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, in Canton, Ohio.
Owens decided to make the HOF story about him by not attending the ceremony, then pivoting about how he’s doing this for future players to know their worth. In stark contrast, Moss selflessly decided to make his HOF weekend an opportunity to express a vital and serious social message. Plus, his bust had cornrows. How cold is that?
The Shadow League on Twitter
This Randy Moss bust with the cornrows! #PFHOF18
At the culmination of his career, Moss had to remind America of the numerous victims of police brutality and social injustice, whose lives have been lost over the past couple of years and then quickly ignored by media and government. If the NFL wanted to keep politics out of the game, Moss totally obliterated that philosophy with his tie.
Sports Illustrated on Twitter
Randy Moss’ tie he wore tonight
Moss did not mention the tie during his induction speech, but he discussed it in an interview on the NFL Network. The tie also symbolizes and reinforces the true meaning of why players are taking a knee during the anthem and gives clarity to a topic that has been misconstrued, purposely misinterpreted and manipulated by people who just dont value the lives of black people, and instead, want to make it about disrespecting the flag and the military.
It was an unexpected and major boss move by Moss to sacrifice his just time, but its the type of fearless mentality that’s been synonymous throughout his NFL career. It reflects a maturity and understanding that comes with age.
The Shadow League on Twitter
In honor of Randy Moss getting inducted into the #PFHOF18, let’s take a look back at all of his 40+ yard touchdowns. https://t.co/2EnsBhzUPK
We often let the media shape our perceptions. We place a high value on narcissism, internet trolling and word-lashing, but few actually take the time to realize that their moment and personal recognition of accomplishments is just another pathway and tool to making the world a better place.
Moss totally represented for his people in one of the more remarkable expressions of social activism in recent memory. A bit more specific than I Cant Breath or Black Lives Matter shirts and far more militant than LeBron and Kyrie Irvings equality kicks. He acknowledged the 12 most high-profile and egregious police killings of unarmed Black folks and let the world know that you cant erase social activism in the NFL with threats, tougher policies, or misconstruing the narrative on players protests.
There are people who were undoubtedly made uncomfortable by the tie, namely law enforcement, bigots and heartless conservatives who say they want to keep politics out of the game. With all due respect, Ray Lewis looked like Michael Myers when Kanye said, “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people,”. A telling sign of someone who’s not comfortable in their own skin.
Bush Doesn’t Care About Black People
https://soundcloud.com/virtuosothegod Bush Doesn’t Care About Black People
Did you see the uneasiness in everyone involved as pre-Sunken Yeezy said what the world was thinking? Protests are meant to be uncomfortable. Championing for the lives of Black people in this country isn’t something that must be penciled in between the hours of 5 pm and 11 pm and never on game days. As long as this problem remains and the powers that be attempt to diminish or dehumanize the situation, soldiers such as Day 1 Randy Moss will continue to protest in their own way.
