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Athletes throughout history have used their public profiles to advocate for social change. Recently, though, that activism is getting mixed reviews. 

NBA players in 2014 were largely supported for 

wearing shirts that memorialized Eric Garner

Philando Castile in Minnesota as well as the police officers killed by a gunman in Dallas

MPR News guest host Marianne Combs along with 

, director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota, and 

, assistant professor of health and kinesiology at Texas A&M University, discussed the role of athletics in activism and how race, gender and social media play into the conversation.

To listen to the discussion, use the audio player above.

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MPR News guest host Marianne Combs spoke Monday with experts about how race, gender and social media play into the conversation over athletes and activism.

Athletes are using their public profiles as a platform to advocate for a social causes. MPR News host Marianne Combs was joined by professors Mary Jo Kane and Akilah Carter Francique to talk about the role of activism in athletics and how race, gender and social media play into the conversation. 8/1/16

It's no game when athletes take political, social stands

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