In July 2016, a Minnesota Lynx WNBA game in Minneapolis became a national flashpoint when four off-duty police officers, hired for security, walked out before tip-off. The reason wasn’t a threat or disturbance—it was the players’ black pre-game T-shirts, which honored Philando Castile and other Black victims of police violence while also commemorating five Dallas officers killed in an ambush that same week, with “Black Lives Matter” printed on the back.
The players explained their shirts were meant to spark awareness and justice, not attack law enforcement. Rebekkah Brunson shared her own experiences with racial profiling and emphasized the need for accountability. When the officers demanded the shirts be removed and the team refused, they walked off.
The Minneapolis Police Federation supported the officers, calling the protest inappropriate, while Police Chief Janee’ Harteau and Mayor Betsy Hodges condemned the walkout, emphasizing duty and public responsibility.
The Lynx players stayed firm, highlighting the dual tragedy and the need for unity. Their message gained national attention, forcing conversations about race, policing, and athletes speaking out on social issues. Though the walkout made headlines, the real story was the players’ courage, using a simple shirt to hold a mirror to society and challenge silence in the face of injustice.