Miami Head Football Coach Manny Diaz, current and past Miami Hurricanes took to social media on Monday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King on the day honoring the late civil rights leader.
Manny Diaz was the most prominent of those associated with the Miami Hurricanes to write about Dr. Martin Luther King on the day to honor him on Monday. Diaz posted a meme with a quote from Dr. King and retweeted a post from King’s daughter Bernice King.
Several former and current Miami Hurricanes took to Twitter, Instagram and other social media sites and apps on Monday to honor Dr. King. Among those posting were former Miami defensive backs Corn Elder, Ed Reed and Adrian Colbert and wide receivers Allen Hurns and Randall Hill.
According to an article by Malcolm Lauredo in the Miami Times, Dr. King visited Miami visited Miami more than a dozen times in his lifetime. Lauredo stated that Dr. King “gave lectures and press conferences, conferred with local activists, and, of course, enjoyed the sunshine.”
Lauredo stated later in his article that Dr. King gave a speech at the University of Miami in March of 1966 in front of 1,200 students. Dr. King spoke about the need for the need for them to “get out from behind the security of stained-glass windows” to participate in the fight for civil rights.”
Diaz’s pair of posts clearly states the importance Dr. King played in modern society, especially to his African-American players. Diaz’s posts of quotes from Dr. King of his of own and the retweet Bernice King show the role that athletes play in society is far greater than what they do on the field or court.
The activism among athletes has increased a lot in this era. Social Media has provided athletes and fans with a direct way to connect with each other.