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‘We are trying to really grow’: Why BYU coach Mark Pope has made addressing social issues with his team such a priority

PROVO — As protests sprung up throughout the country over the summer following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and after one of his former players, Yoeli Childs, shared a poignant, personal message about social injustice on social media, BYU coach Mark Pope realized this was an issue that he, and his players, needed to learn more about.

“Clearly, as everything came to a crescendo, it was something that was really important for us to address as a team,” he said. “I was originally really interested in making sure that my guys were smart about their activities and stayed safe while they were letting their voice be heard however they wanted to.