COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football players have united in speaking their minds and in kneeling at a protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Sports are a slice of this movement. Ohio State sports are a slice of that. What has happened at Ohio State has been player-driven. But in amateur athletics, the power structure still determines much of what players may feel free and comfortable saying. The structure and the players are united on this, something athletic director Gene Smith has made abundantly clear and which he specifically explained when we talked Tuesday. Ohio State’s athletic department has supported the players in words and action, and that support isn’t going anywhere, even if some fans of the Buckeyes might disagree with it. That’s what is around the corner. There are protests now, but no football. What will happen when this movement has the chance to once…
Continue Reading: Gene Smith says Ohio State will support athletes speaking out, and if some fans don’t like it, that’s OK
