TAMPA, Fla. — Super Bowl LV is shining a spotlight on social justice reform as athletes and students continue the fight for racial equality.
The 6th Annual RISE Super Bowl Critical Conversation will feature NFL players addressing the question, "What comes next?" This comes after our nation experienced a true reckoning on race after the death of George Floyd, followed by an unprecedented wave of athlete activism in 2020.
RISE is a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
This virtual event will address how athletes can best tackle issues of systemic racism and racial and social inequities that have been amplified by the pandemic.
Take part in RISE streaming event on Feb. 4, at 7 PM EST
In this virtual forum, you'll see players like Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes and Tyrann Mathieu taking part.
Mahomes says he doesn't want to stay silent on such an important issue for the country.
"Just being tired of it," Mahomes said in a conversation with RISE. "I think being tired, just seeing the constant social injustice happening around the United States and the world. Just tired of being quiet and seeing it happen over and over again."
RISE is also partnering with Pepsi to launch its new virtual Champions of Change Fan Experience.
Fans will hear firsthand stories from NFL players on their experiences with race, discrimination and activism.
Ricardo Allen, who plays for the Atlanta Falcons, shared part of his story in the experience.
"I sometimes find myself being followed," Allen said in one of the posted videos. "I sometimes find myself being looked at as an outsider or somebody who may be different. It's just weird that you can put the jersey on and everybody loves you but when you take the jersey off then they don't really understand who you are."
Champions of Change also features an interactive timeline that chronicles the historic intersection of sports and social justice.
