PITTSBURGH – Josh Bell wanted to make a statement with his actions, a way to channel the disgust the Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman felt in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police in late May.Yet as the crowds surged in downtown Pittsburgh last month during a planned peaceful protest, he fought the urge to join in.He couldn't help but notice the helicopters buzzing.
He checked the Internet and saw what began with a positive vibe had shifted to something darker. Wary of the optics and the fallout, Bell, who is Black, heeded the advice of his girlfriend.“(She told me) ‘You’re going to make a lot more impact with your platform than going to this riot right now.