Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard demands change after Mike Gundy photo emerges

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Oklahoma State star running back Chuba Hubbard is the latest athlete to speak out against his university's racial intolerance and general tone deafness. 

On Monday, Hubbard quote-tweeted a photo of OSU head coach Mike Gundy wearing an OAN shirt during a recent fishing trip: 

OAN – known formally as One America News Network – is a content outlet that perpetuates far-right conspiracy theories. Gundy is openly a fan of the network, saying in an April teleconference that 'they just report the news. There's no commentary. There's no opinions on this. There's no left. There's no right. They just reported the news.' The network has been known to deal in trutherism regarding – among others – the origin of the coronavirus, the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, and protests over George Floyd's murder. 

Hubbard, the nation's leading rusher last season, said he 'will not be doing anything with Oklahoma State' until the photo is addressed and 'things change.' Hubbard's teammates were quick to send out their own messages in solidarity: 

Hubbard and his Oklahoma State teammates are just the latest in a growing group of college athletes who are using their platform to push back against the deeply-ingrained racial injustices at their programs. Athletes at the University of Texas called on the school to rename several campus buildings, as well as change the traditional school fight song. Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins were among the vocal group of athletes who successfully got Clemson to change the name of the Calhoun building, named after vocal slavery proponent John C. Calhoun.  

For the Bears, offensive lineman and former Hawkeye James Daniels recently tweeted out his thoughts on the situation surrounding Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle, who recently parted ways the school after numerous player complaints – which included racist comments – against him surfaced: 

College athletes have been forcefully muted by the institutions they've enriched hand-over-fist for far too long, so it's inspiring to finally see these players speak out en masse and use their platforms to advance what's in their best interests. Hopefully it doesn't stop here. 

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