Nashville Standard

Head Tennessee State football coach Eddie George was one of four former professional athletes that were honored and recognized as this year's National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award honorees as part of the Memphis Grizzlies 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Game.

George, along with former NBA greats Gary Payton, Luol Deng, and WBNA star Nancy Lieberman were honored for their contributions to civil and human rights during their sports careers over the course of Sunday and Monday.

The event is to also recognize the "dedication and contributions to the positive progression of society and establishing a foundation for future leaders via their sporting exploits in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr," that each former athlete has achieved.

On Sunday, the group along with other special guests including Grant Hill, Danny Green, and Elliot Perry were able to tour the National Civil Rights Museum followed by a panel "Intersection of Race and Sports".

The group reflected on Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy at the Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium ahead of the Grizzlies' Monday night game against the Phoenix Suns. The symposium was moderated by the Grizzlies' television play-by-play announcer Pete Pranica.

During the panel, George marveled that civil rights leaders' practice of non-violence was "remarkable," pointing to a 1960 sit-in at Nashville's Woolworth lunch counter that turned violent as one example.

"I couldn't imagine having somebody spit on me, pull me, kick me–and to have restraint," George said. "Because if you fight back, that's your life. That would give them license to kill you, and it kills the message."

George believes building a "championship mindset" in his players means extending beyond the football field and into their personal and professional lives.

"That's where you make the biggest impact," George said. "Those principles, those standards that you set."

Established in 2020, the Tamara and Edward George Legacy Fund operates to positively impact the community by providing financial and community support to organizations and individuals that support excellence in education, entertainment, and entrepreneurship, including providing funds for high-qualified programming and enrichment opportunities. 

Original source can be found here