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Gabby Williams: Athlete Existence Is Political
13 Nov
Summary
- Gabby Williams views female athletes' existence as inherently political.
- Players supported Raphael Warnock in shirts during Georgia Senate race.
- Williams scored 30 points in Game 7, leading Valkyries to championship.
Gabby Williams, a forward for the Golden State Valkyries and a WNBA Finals MVP, stated in a recent interview that the very existence of female athletes is political. She anticipates ongoing player engagement with political and social issues within the league.
Williams recalled significant moments like the Black Lives Matter movement and the 2021 Georgia Senate runoff. She mentioned that in August 2020, players wore 'VOTE WARNOCK' shirts to support Raphael Warnock, who was running against then-Senator Kelly Loeffler, a co-owner of the Atlanta Dream. Williams emphasized that for players, these issues touch upon their livelihoods and identities.
In a remarkable Game 7 performance, Williams scored 30 points, including 28 in the second half, to lead the Golden State Valkyries to a 68-63 championship victory over the Atlanta Dream. This performance was historic, with no player previously scoring more in a single half of a WNBA postseason game. Her 30-point effort in a winner-take-all Finals game placed her alongside Penny Taylor as the only players to achieve this feat.
