Muffet McGraw, a two-time NCAA girls’s basketball champion head coach with the Notre Dame Preventing Irish, blamed former President Donald Trump for the hateful messages WNBA gamers have obtained.
McGraw posted a prolonged assertion and pointed to Trump giving “permission” for individuals to make use of social media to direct nasty messages to individuals who don’t appear to be them. She additionally urged her followers to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
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“Sports activities are a microcosm of society. We showcase how a gaggle of numerous individuals, White, Black, straight, homosexual, spiritual or not, can come collectively united by one thing larger than ourselves,” McGraw’s assertion learn. “We’re teammates, who’re striving for a similar objectives, sacrificing private accolades for the nice of the group. We function mannequin the way to put ‘we’ earlier than ‘me.’ However we’re beginning to lose the enjoyment in staff celebrations as a result of we’re being overrun by trolls who by no means performed or coached the sport at a excessive stage however are all of a sudden self-proclaimed specialists on what we do.
“The present local weather in our nation is certainly one of division and hate. Anybody who doesn’t appear to be us or imagine what we do is now the enemy. The hates are trolling with alarming rage & escalated violent threats. How did we get right here?
“Brief reply: Donald Trump received us right here. He gave permission for individuals to be outwardly racist, homophobic, misogynistic and merciless (not that it was OK to be any of these inwardly). His full lack of civility, decorum, and his pension for childish title calling, blaming & blatant mendacity have made it OK for others to do the identical.
STRANGEST, HARDEST AND MOST PAINFUL THINGS CAITLIN CLARK HAD TO ENDURE AS A WNBA ROOKIE
“Cowards who cover behind a pretend title on social media usually are not simply hurting our recreation, they’re destroying our nation. So what are we gonna do about it? It’s not the league workplace or the Fever who management the posts of those petulant, churlish cream puffs. Sure, they might prob do extra nevertheless it’s on all of us to battle again.
“Let’s take Kamala Harris’ recommendation and select hope. IF you actually need to see change it’s a must to vote for it! In the meantime, Let’s give attention to what’s good about our recreation. Let’s come collectively and begin supporting and inspiring girls. Let’s rise up and have the braveness to make use of our voice to let individuals know that we’ve their again.
“There’s an outdated saying that if you happen to aren’t a part of the answer, you’re a part of the issue. So, what are YOU doing to fight hate? Be a spark and perhaps we will ignite the world.”
McGraw’s assertion got here after Connecticut Solar star Alyssa Thomas referred to as out Indiana Fever followers over “racial feedback” and guard DiJonai Carrington receiving racist emails.
The WNBA condemned racism in opposition to gamers in an announcement.
“The WNBA is a aggressive league with a number of the most elite athletes on the earth,” the league stated. “Whereas we welcome a rising fan base, the WNBA won’t tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening feedback made about gamers, groups and anybody affiliated with the league.
“League safety is actively monitoring threat-related exercise and can work immediately with groups and arenas to take applicable measures, to incorporate involving regulation enforcement, as obligatory.”
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