Just because legendary New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter’s Hall of Fame career has come to a close does not mean his legacy and greatness has as well. Shortly after the end of the season, Jeter launched The Players’ Tribune, a website that Jeter describes as “a new media platform that will present the unfiltered voices of professional athletes, bringing fans closer to the games they love than ever before.”
The first article on the website was published by the Captain himself; a letter describing what the website hopes to accomplish and to thank the fans for support in his final season with the Yankees. Jeter talks about how the website will hopefully change the way that fans can connect—emotionally and technologically—with their favorite athletes and discover new things about the world of sports.
Published by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, the second article describes his experience with being a bully. “I rubbed [kids] heads in the dirt at recess,” he wrote. “I bit them. I even knocked teeth out.” Wilson claims he was saved by his faith at 14 years old and wrote the article to “pass the peace to support victims of domestic violence.” Wilson also recently launched the “Why Not You Foundation,” which raises awareness of the tragic effects of bullying and domestic violence.
I personally look forward to the articles to come from all the other athletes that choose to participate. It is a really enjoyable read because it is straightforward and honest, not sugarcoated so that it is deemed “appropriate” or “safe” for a sports website or newspaper.
The Players’ Tribune is more than sports; it’s articles that discuss the brutal truths of real life that athletes and fans alike can connect to.