“Our Stories: Black History Month,” presented by Carvana, premieres Sunday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Network
Feb 25, 2022
“Our Stories: Black History Month,” presented by Carvana, highlights the impact former and current Pac-12 student-athletes have made in combating racial inequality
SAN FRANCISCO - “Our Stories: Black History Month,” presented by Carvana, premieres Sunday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Network. The latest edition of Pac-12 Networks’ feature storytelling series tells the stories of former Colorado football player John Wooten, current Oregon State wrestler Mateo Olmos, and current USC student-athletes Croix Bethune, Kasaun James and Temi Ojora who have all worked towards making a difference.
Hall-of-Famer John Wooten is a pioneer on and off the gridiron, helping raise attention of racial inequality in the United States. Wooten attended the newly-integrated Carlsbad High School before attending the University of Colorado where he was just the second Black player in program history. During his sophomore year, the Buffs faced Clemson, who was segregated at the time, in the 1957 Orange Bowl, and he recovered a pivotal onside kick to help seal the victory for Colorado.
“This taught me that people who believe in what’s right, stand up,” said Wooten. “That invigorated me to know that this world isn’t all bad, there are things that we can change if we go about it the right way in bringing people together, because there are more people that are for right than there are for the other side.”
Following his collegiate career, Wooten went on to play in the NFL and helped form the Black Economic Industrial Union alongside Jim Brown. In 2003, Wooten became the Chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which educates the public about equal opportunity in sports and works to promote minority hiring in the NFL.
Oregon State wrestler Mateo Olmos proudly honors his Mexican and Black heritages. The redshirt junior utilizes his diverse background to connect with people, and serves as the Leadership Liaison at the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center where he works to cultivate his community and make a difference while bringing people together to help end systematic racism. This past January, Olmos was honored with the prestigious Frances Dancy Hooks Award at the 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Oregon State, which is given to students, staff and faculty who advance diversity.
USC student-athletes Croix Bethune, Kasaun James and Temi Ojora share how they express their culture and themselves through creative outlets such as poems, body artwork and painting. USC Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Julie Rousseau discusses the importance of having creative space available, and of using your voice as creative expression away from the playing surface.
“Knowledge creates more understanding, so the more I know, the different ways I look at that athlete express themselves, and it’s not just through this single narrative of what they do on the field of play,” said Dr. Rousseau.
HOW TO WATCH (all broadcasts also available in HD via the Pac-12 now app)
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Sunday, February 27
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Our Stories: Black History Month, presented by Carvana
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6 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Network and the Pac-12 Now app
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PAC-12 NOW APP
All broadcasts are also available in HD via the Pac-12 Now app (for iOS, Android, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV). For more information and to see a list of the multiple options to access Pac-12 Networks anywhere across the United States, please visit GetPac12Networks.com.
GET PAC-12 NETWORKS
All Pac-12 Networks coverage can be seen on Pac-12 Network, the Pac-12 Now app (for iOS, Android, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV) or the appropriate regional channel. Pac-12 Networks subscribers have access to all seven HD channels via the Pac-12 Now app. More information on the multiple options to access and receive Pac-12 Networks anywhere in the United States is available at GetPac12Networks.com. Coverage of the 2021-22 season for all Pac-12 sports can also be followed all year long across the Pac-12 and Pac-12 Networks’ digital and social media channels on Pac-12.com, Twitter (@Pac12Network and @Pac12), Facebook (facebook.com/Pac12Conference), Instagram (@Pac12Conference), Snapchat (@pac12conference) and Pac-12 Networks’ YouTube channel.