Ballers’ Lives Are Political, Too!

What happens when athletes are told to “stick to sports” but politics won't stick to them? 🏈

In Episode 5 of Slingshot The Podcast, hosts Charles and Kadida are joined by Paul “Boo Boo” Palmer, Temple football legend and former NFL running back, for an unfiltered conversation about the inescapable politics of sports, race, and identity.

From his time at Temple and the NFL to deeply personal experiences with racism, including a disturbing piece of LDS literature sent to his college dorm before a game against BYU. Paul reflects on how Black athletes have always been political, even when they didn’t ask to be.

🔎 Topics include:
✔️ NFL culture and the myth of "apolitical" athletes
✔️ BYU, racism, and college football realities
✔️ What Saquon Barkley said about politics—and why it matters
✔️ Respecting the office vs. respecting the president
✔️ How Paul stays engaged with youth and speaks out today

🎧 This isn’t just a sports episode. It’s a powerful look at how deeply intertwined Black identity, public expectation, and power truly are.

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