In today’s Washington Post, reporter Dave Sheinin discusses the willingness of many collegiate and professional athletes to speak out on social issues in recent weeks, a departure from the norm. Sheinin interviewed Perry Wallace over the phone as Wallace toured Nashville to discuss Strong Inside this week. During his pioneering days as the first African American basketball player in the SEC at Vanderbilt in the late 1960s, Wallace picked his spots when it came to public statements about off-the-court issues. When the pending construction of I-40 through North Nashville promised to destroy the Jefferson Street business district, Wallace spoke out about the problems sure to arise. Wallace commended the athlete-activists of today for taking an interest in things beyond sneaker sales.
Author of Inaugural Ballers, Singled Out, Games of Deception and Strong Inside
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[…] Never thought I’d be taking Perry Wallace to a bowling alley in Hermitage, but that’s just what happened on Wednesday when we visited the 102.5 Sports Night crew out there for an interview. The station was doing a remote at the lanes to promote a Nashville Predators event there later that evening. Wallace and I sat down with George Plaster, Willy Daunic, and Darren McFarland for a memorable interview you can listen to here. […]