during their game at Spectrum Center on March 11, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

As tensions in the USA continue to rise, athletes are feeling more and more comfortable speaking out about politics. For those hoping that athletes “stick to sports” it looks highly unlikely. Take New Orleans Pelicans center Demarcus Cousins for example. He has decided to speak out about the atrocities that have happened in Charlottesville, Virginia. He has a simple message.

“Take all them motherfuckers down,” says Cousins.

When asked by a TMZ reporter whether or not it should be a mandate that they are taken down, Cousins once again is succinct. “Hell yeah,” he responds.

He goes on to echo the sentiments of Kevin Durant and LeBron James that have vehemently spoken out against President Donald Trump.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that athletes are speaking out the way they have but the current climate is putting them in a spotlight like never before. From a time that used to have athletes ostracized for their beliefs, if they don’t speak out they are left out of the headlines like never before.

“Stick to sports” isn’t a possibility anymore. Questions are posed to them daily about the thoughts on the country and any line that may have been uncrossable is no longer present.

[SLAM]

About Sam Blazer

Sam is a self proclaimed chess prodigy. He once placed seventh in the state of Ohio in Chess when he was in kindergarten. He will rarely if ever mention though that only eight people were entered in this tournament. Contact him at sblaze17@gmail.com