Famed NBA coach fears the phrase ‘America first’

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers doesn’t envision a future in politics, but that won’t stop him from addressing political or social issues.

Rivers recently spoke to the Associated Press about taking a greater interest in social history and modern politics as his NBA career progressed. Even though he has the fame and accolades of being named one of the top 15 coaches in NBA history, Rivers says he still struggles to find his place in America.

“When you hear ‘America first,’ that scares me, because I’m a Black man and that’s not including me,” Rivers told the Associated Press. “I want us to all be included. I want us all to function with each other.”

In recent years, Rivers began using his platform to take on the responsibility of an activist by addressing racial injustices, police brutality, gun control, Donald Trump, and preaching the importance of NBA players using their right to vote.

“I didn’t used to be” political, Rivers added. “I’ve always been aware of politics, I’ve always been involved. But what got me involved is, we have this separation of race now, of pitting races against each other.”

In 2020, Rivers blasted Trump for criticizing NBA players who exercised their right to protest by kneeling during the national anthem. Rivers offered his perspective as the son of a 30-year Chicago police officer to address the murder of George Floyd and shooting of Jacob Blake while criticizing the GOP’s response. The 76ers head coach was also outspoken following the Capitol Insurrection.

At just 60 years old, there’s plenty of time for Rivers to make a career pivot if he chooses to move on from the NBA, but the renowned head coach claims politics is not a space he wants to venture into.

“Oh God, no. I wouldn’t win, number one,” Rivers said. “And number two, that’s not what I want to be.”

[AP News]