Mookie Betts was at the forefront of the Los Angeles Dodgers addressing racism and inequality last season, first with kneeling during the national anthem on Opening Day, and later in leading the team’s boycott of a game against the San Francisco Giants.
Betts informed the Dodgers that while he planned to follow the Milwaukee Bucks and other NBA teams in sitting out, he did not expect the rest of the team to follow suit. Several meetings — both in groups and between individuals — led to the Dodgers supporting Betts.
His latest presence in a prominent message addressing social issues came in the Jordan Brand “Here For A Reason” advertisement released this month. Betts, along with Kenley Jansen, is among a select group of MLB players who are Jordan Brand athletes.
Travis Scott, Aleali May and Zion Williamson are among those who also appeared in the Jordan commercial. Its focus is to celebrate Jordan’s family of athletes and is considered an “expression of the brand’s personality and purpose.” Their goal is to inspire the next generation of athletes, allowing them to better understand themselves via the stories of Jordan Brand members.
Betts launches AAU basketball team
When the Dodgers traded for Betts, it wasn’t just his talent that was lauded but also a giving personality that fit well in the clubhouse. Throughout last year he partnered with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation on community initiatives and recently launched an AAU basketball team.
“My love for basketball runs deep, and I want young men to have the opportunity to develop on and off the court,” Betts wrote at the time of unveiling the team based in Tennessee.
Betts was an avid basketball player himself and recently had social media buzzing after sharing footage from an on-court workout during the offseason.
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