How Memphis Grizzlies players have embraced Martin Luther King Jr.'s significance

MEMPHIS − Fifty-plus years have passed, but the memories are present.

It was 1963 when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered "I Have a Dream," one of the most famous speeches in American history. Five years later, King was still fighting for that dream, one centered on equality, freedom, justice and peace.

King took a trip to Memphis in 1968 to raise awareness and support for Black sanitation workers who were underpaid and working in substandard conditions. The trip led to King’s "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, which he delivered April 3, one day before he was assassinated at the age of 39.

In that speech, King explained why he would rather live in his era, the second half of the 20th century, over any other time period. He admitted that it was a “strange” statement, and he explained his reasoning.

“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars," he said. "And I see God working in this period of the 20th century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding — something is happening in our world.”

King’s principles have extended through various walks of life. One of those is through sports, where the Memphis Grizzlies have emphasized King’s messages each year with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Game on the same day the country recognizes his birthday.

Now in its 23rd year, the game take place Monday (1:30 p.m., TNT) when the Grizzlies play the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum.

The 20th annual Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium takes place before the game at noon (FanDuel Sports Network Southeast) and features Tommie Smith, Amar’e Stoudemire and Cheryl Miller, honorees of this year’sNational Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award.

Grizzlies players come from all over the United States and the world. They’re educated on King's teachings and on civil rights with an annual visit to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

“For people who haven’t been there, I for sure recommend it,” Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama said. “It’s very different than any other museum that I’ve been to. I feel like this one is more in detail.”

Grizzlies learning about MLK

Scotty Pippen Jr. learned of King's significance through the school system and growing up with a Black father who was a star player in the NBA.

For Desmond Bane, it was his grandmother.

“It was something that we always celebrated and talked about,” Bane said. “I was hipped to it way before coming to Memphis or what you learned from school.”

Through his private school in California, Jaylen Wells was afforded unique opportunities that helped him learn more about the civil rights era. As an eighth grader, he visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and in December toured the National Civil Rights Museum.

“It’s empowering,” Wells said. “It’s cool to know that part of history and actually experience what he was looking at.”

Santi Aldama’s global perspective

Aldama, who grew up in Spain, recalls most of his history lessons in school being about World War I and World War II, but King was mentioned as an important figure in history.

Coming to the United States, Aldama had to adjust to a different culture, and learning the historical significance was valuable.

“It helped me understand the country I joined,” he said. “The first time I visited (the civil rights museum) was huge, but especially the second and third times. I got to see in more detail and more perspective what he was fighting for. He inspired young people to fight for something.”

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s giving mentality

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s education came from his mother, Terri Carmichael Jackson, who supplied him with books about civil rights leaders.

Among other things, he was taught the importance of giving, recently donating $50,000 to the National Civil Rights Museum's Youth Education Fund.

“It made me care for other people, have empathy and understand that it’s bigger than me," Jackson said of his upbringing. "I was always going to care for people regardless. But specifically, my people.”

When Jackson thinks of King’s significance in history, “equality” is the first word that comes to mind.

Jackson has learned to apply on the court some of the characteristics of King and other civil rights leaders. Those traits include will power, perseverance and staying composed, he said. When he reflects on the history of King, that's what he remembers most.

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“He wasn’t lashing out when he was getting death threats,” Jackson said. “He was still understanding that he has to lead a bunch of people. He can’t just wild out.”

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies players embracing MLK’s relevance to history