The Atlanta Hawks made history with their release of a new jersey design on Sunday — while honouring a key figure in history along the way.
Atlanta’s 2020-21 “City Edition” jersey features the initials “MLK” emblazoned across the front in recognition of renowned civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It will be the first official game uniform in NBA history to prominently feature the initials of an individual across the chest.
Dr. King, born and raised in Atlanta, was a Baptist minister in the south and a leading figure in the U.S. civil rights movement, from the 1950s through to his death in 1968. He became a global icon through his fight for racial equality, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
“It is an incredible privilege to be able to represent the legacy of Dr. King, one of Atlanta’s native sons and one of the nation’s most transformative leaders,” Melissa Proctor, chief marketing officer for the Hawks, said in a statement. “His message of equality, non-violence, and justice is as relevant today as it was in the 60s.
“And we are proud to not only help educate legions of young fans about Dr. King’s work, but empower them to pick up his mantle and embody the change they wish to see in their communities.”
The Hawks will donate profits from the jersey sales to Atlanta-based initiatives that champion Dr. King’s causes, specifically ones “regarding economic empowerment for communities of colour,” the team outlined in a press release.