Stephen A. Smith Mourns Willie Mays’ Passing by Recalling Civil Rights Leaders in Sports: “I Think About Bill Russell”

While a lot of athletes dominate the game, its not too often that they transcend the sport they play. But those who do forever leave an impact not only on the game but the society itself. And unfortunately, the world lost one such icon on Tuesday due to heart failure, baseball legend Willie Mays. Baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer took his final breath yesterday afternoon at the age of 93, sending shockwaves through the sports world.

Honoring Mays’ life and the way he impacted the game, veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith opened his podcast with a heartfelt tribute to the legend, even putting him among some of the greatest civil rights leaders in sports. Most people remembering Mays would talk about his two NL MVPs, his twenty-four All-Star selections or even his twelve gold gloves. However, Stephen A. sees his life from a different lens, “When I think about the passing of Willie Mays, I think about something else. I think about Muhammad Ali, I think about Bill Russell, I think about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, I think about Wilt Chamberlain.”

When Mays began his baseball journey in 1948 with the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro American League, people were just getting used to seeing African American players in the league after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier a year earlier. But against all odds, at the peak of racial tensions in the nation, Mays turned into one of the greatest and most influential athletes. He made his MLB debut with the New York Giants and even bagged the ROTY award in 1951. Then, putting his baseball career on hold, the ‘Say Hey Kid’ was drafted to the US Army to serve in the Korean War. Even after his return from military, Willie was among the select few athletes like Bill Russell and Kareem, who stood in the face of bigotry and racism while also excelling in their respective sport. “That’s where the GOAT status comes into the equation.” Smith said.

Willie Mays and more paved the way for today’s athletes

By becoming an icon in an era when there were not many renowned or loved African American athletes in the nation, Willie Mays broke several barriers and laid the foundation for the success of future athletes. And not just him, even legends like Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, and Kareem were also working toward the same goal. Be it as a player, as a coach, or a retired individual, Russell always fought for what he believed was right. From organizing the first player boycott back in 1961 because two of his teammates were refused service at a hotel for the sole reason that they were African American, to joining Kareem and several other athletes in support of Muhammad Ali’s stance of not serving in the Vietnam War at the Cleveland Summit in 1967, Bill Russell was always more than just a basketball player.

Meanwhile, Willie Mays, with his incredible twenty-five-year career and countless individual accolades inspired millions of young athletes to follow his path and work toward their dreams amid adversity. And it’s because of the efforts of these athletes of the past that players today are able to earn millions in salary while also becoming household names and inspiration for many. “It’s how he’ll be remembered forever as arguably the greatest baseball player who ever lived.” Stephen A. Smith said about Willie. With his impact on and off the diamond, Willie’s legacy will live on for eternity. And now he can rest in heaven with his friends Russell and Ali.

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