Dolphins Owner Launches National Anti-Racism, Anti-Bullying Effort in SE Michigan

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Billionaire Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is kicking off a nationwide campaign to end racism and bullying in sports at this weekend’s University of Michigan-Michigan State University football game.

Ross — a native Detroiter and graduate of both U-M and Wayne State University Law School, as well as a mega donor to the University of Michigan — said his Ross Initiative for Sports and Equality (RISE) chose Detroit PALS, which runs sports programs for 13,000 Detroit kids, as one of the initiative’s first youth partners, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Ross, 75, a New York real estate magnate, told The New York Times that because of their visibility and popularity, athletes are in a unique position to help spread the message of inclusiveness.

“Sports is the common denominator in the world that brings everyone together,” he told The Times. “If there’s any one place in the world where there is equality, it is probably sports. That was something that didn’t always exist. We’ve come a long way in sports. Why can’t society use sports as a way to bring people together and create change?”

In public service announcements that begin airing this weekend, celebrity athletes recite pieces of RISE pledge: “I pledge to treat everyone with respect and dignity. I will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. I will speak up whenever I know discrimination is happening and I will stand up, get up, rise up for victims.”

Ross didn’t say how much he is spending on the initiative, but said it’s a long-term venture that could ultimately win the backing of sports leagues and others.

According to the website, RISE will take a three-pronged approach to counter headlines raising race-related issues:

• A nationwide public awareness campaign aimed at encouraging communities to advance race relations in sports and beyond;
• Strategic partnerships with sports leagues and associations, organizations, athletes, coaches, universities, high schools and policymakers to blanket the entire sports community; and
• The development of tools, resources and sports-related racial sensitive curricula to help athletes, parents and professionals identify, resolve and prevent racially insensitive behaviors and situations.

The first of the PSAs will be aired on the giant screen at the University of Michigan’s Big House during Saturday’s game. I features former U-M and current New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard, Fab Five basketball player Jalen Rose and U-M Wolverines Coach Jim Harbaugh.

On Sunday, the NFL-geared PSA will be aired during the nationally televised Miama Dolphins game. It also features Brady, along with pro football players Antonio Brown of Pittsburgh, Ryan Tannehill of Miami, DeMarcus Ware of Denver, Justin Tuck of Oakland and Larry Fitzgerald of Arizona.

» Photo via Miami Dolphins

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