Lacrosse Stars show support for Native Americans on Thanksgiving

Lacrosse athletes took to social media during the Thanksgiving holiday with many thoughts revolving around Native Americans and the North Dakota Access Pipeline protests. University of Albany player Bill O'Brien posted his thoughts on the irony of todays Thanksgiving NFL matchup of the Dallas Cowboys vs the Washington Redskins on Twitter.

 

Bill O'Brien‏@Bill_OBrien96

Happy thanksgiving, only in America are we able to appreciate the irony here @dallascowboys vs @Redskins schedule makers are laughing.

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1:35 PM - 24 Nov 2016

O'Brien and Lyle Thompson just returned from visiting Standing Rock, North Dakota where they tought the game of lacrosse to the peaceful protestors of the North Dakota Access Pipeline. Along with the #NoDapl protests, there is also controversy surrounding the NFL's Washington franchise team name. Washington owner Daniel Snyder, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and even President-elect Donald Trump have defended the teams use of the name Redskins while many Native Americans have called it offensive.

Bill O'Brien (left) and Lyle Thompson (right) giving lacrosse instructions to Native protestors. (Photo by Scott Marr)

Lyle Thompson has used his fame and large social media following as a recent platform for political activism. Thompson only became an activist on Oct. 13 when he shared a Bernie Sanders tweet about the Dakota Access Pipeline with his 15,000 followers on Twitter.

 

Bernie SandersVerified account‏@SenSanders

The Dakota Access pipeline would have the same impact on the planet as adding 21.4 million more cars. #NoDAPL

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9:34 AM - 13 Oct 2016

0 replies4,866 retweets6,696 likes

"I'm not someone who wanted to get into the whole social issue of it all. Especially because I know most of my followers come for lacrosse. Some aren't even familiar with that whole thing. But it was getting no national media attention," said Thompson.

Thompson Brothers Lacrosse has been taking a more prominent role in social issues with the help of other members of the Thompson family. Lyle Thompson admits that his father was not initially supportive.

Lyle Thompson and Miles Thompson (Marc Seratoga/Gettty Images)

"My father wasn't a big fan of it," said Thompson. "He said 'All you're doing is stirring up a pot.' I said to him, 'That's why I'm here. Who else is going to stir this pot? Who else is going to speak out on things like this?

Speaking out against his father was a difficult choice for Thompson, especially growing up in a home with traditional Native American values. Thompson stood his ground and changed his fathers mind.

"If anybody else does it, it's not going to mean as much. People listen to the words I have to say." said Thompson. "I told him this and now he supports it."

Paul Rabil also showed his support for Lyle Thompson and Standing Rock on Twitter.

 

Paul RabilVerified account‏@PaulRabil

Here's @Lyle4Thompson protesting at Standing Rock. An athlete and activist. Well done, brother. #NoDAPL

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5:00 AM - 23 Nov 2016