The Circle of Unity: The power of symbols in a team sport context

Modern-day political discord has led to a recent spate of athletes using their platform make statements about America. One under-researched aspect modern sport activism is the study symbols themselves, such as controversial kneeling during national anthem by National Football League players, statement-making pregame apparel worn Basketball Association stars, and other statements. This case examines 2016 activist display Old Dominion University’s football team, known Circle Unity. The display, performed before most games that season, began form protest team captains, morphed into gesture was celebrated across spectrum. Through lens both Symbolic Interactionism (SI) Critical Race Theory (CRT), current seeks uncover impetus, meaning, ultimate impact symbol on variety stakeholders. Examining used—players coaches standing in circle, facing out, holding hands raising them sky—can further contextualize challenging role student-athletes have finding voice speak issues they care divided