Redditor Shares Story Of Meeting Donovan Mitchell, Talked About Being ‘Catalyst For Change’

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Reddit user posted a story about meeting Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell during a lunch trip to a Utah restaurant and the conversation that took place with the NBA All-Star.

Redditor RobertTheBloke1 said that he and his father met Mitchell and another individual on Monday, June 22.

After a lighthearted interaction between the father and Mitchell in the parking lot, the Reddit user said that the Jazzman ordered his food in the restaurant, sat done next to the two, and continue the conversation.

“We actually talked about what has been going on lately and he was really well spoken about it, even going as far as saying that he really likes Salt Lake and that he wants to be a catalyst for change, given the position he was in,” RobertTheBloke1 posted.

I kind of had lunch with Donovan Mitchell yesterday from r/UtahJazz

Donovan Mitchell and Current Events

Earlier in June, Mitchell posted a photo on Instagram that read “Free-ish, Since 1865.”

The post was in honor of Juneteenth, which took place on June 19 and marked the 135th anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the state of Texas.

View this post on Instagram

HAPPY JUNETEENTH🙏🏾

A post shared by Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) on Jun 19, 2020 at 4:15pm PDT

Many fans shared their support for the post, while several people commented attacking Mitchell’s message. Many replies implied that Mitchell’s status and wealth as an NBA player were signs of equal freedom.

Shortly after the comments started rolling in, Mitchell posted on Twitter.

“Said it once and I’ll keep saying it!!” Mitchell tweeted. “Y’all can’t hide no more.”

Said it once and I’ll keep saying it!! Y’all can’t hide no more🤦🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/y4VWqvuSQL

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) June 20, 2020

Less than 30 minutes later, Mitchell posted additional remarks.

“Can’t see how yall can openly cheer for us then when it comes to this be against us so openly!!” the Jazz guard tweeted.

Donovan Mitchell’s Activism

Mitchell has been one of the Jazz and the NBA’s most outspoken voices since the death of George Floyd on May 25. In the months since, Mitchell has sent 39 tweets regarding protests, racial injustice, or supporting Black Lives Matter efforts.

The leadership from Mitchell is unfamiliar territory for Jazz fans. In the history of Jazz All-Stars, no player has matched Mitchell’s enormous reach. Through social media, a multi-million dollar shoe deal, and an eye-catching style of play, Mitchell has brought unique attention to Utah.

Hall of Fame guard John Stockton was notoriously aloof off the floor. Gordon Hayward, the team’s last All-Star before Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, once turned down an opportunity to discuss race and the NBA. Karl Malone, the team’s most accomplished player was once referred to as “a black man who has a redneck’s passion.”

Now, Mitchell seems to be addressing racial issues head-on.

During Sunday night’s ESPY’s, a video showed Mitchell calling for white counterparts to share in his activism.

✊🏾🖤 pic.twitter.com/rnjcxWquTh

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) June 22, 2020

“While the murder of George Floyd was at the center of everyone’s attention, too often we forget about black women like Breona Taylor,” Mitchell said in the video.

Taylor was sleeping in her home when she was shot and killed by police after officers served a “no-knock” warrant.

“Now, we call on our white counterparts to use their voices,” Mitchell said. “And talk about real change, and how they’ll make it happen.”