Steve Kerr, who coached the Golden State Warriors to their record-breaking 73-win season, made an impassioned call for gun control on a podcast hosted by the San Jose Mercury News.
"I kind of think that our forefathers would not have OK'd automatic weapons to be sold to everybody," Kerr said. "I mean, it's easier to get a gun than it is a driver's license, and it's insane."
When it comes to sports figures speaking out on divisive social issues, Kerr isn't alone.
In 2014, players across the NBA wore "I Can't Breathe" T-shirts while warming up, referring to the last words of Eric Garner — a man who died after a struggle with New York City police officers.
That same year, several St. Louis Rams players came out of the home stadium tunnel with their hands up to show support for Michael Brown, who was killed by police in nearby Ferguson, Missouri.
Race-related protests in sports goes back a long way. At the 1968 Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos made history when they displayed the black-power salute during the 200 meter medal ceremony.
"The bottom line is whether we can make a statement for society," Carlos said. "I feel like, you know, medals are great. But medals are nowhere near close to what life is all about."
Five years later, thousands turned out to watch the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match, where Billie Jean King's win over the very confident, very misogynistic Bobby Riggs placed social issues at center stage.
But when it comes to athletes taking a social stand, no one comes close to the late Muhammad Ali, who fought fiercely for racial equality in his days as a heavyweight boxing champion.
"Why are we deaf, dumb and blind? Why is everybody making progress, and yet we lag so far behind?" Ali said.
Today's big sports stars have a lot of money at stake when they make public comments, and many times try to avoid saying something controversial. This was something Michael Jordan was famous for in his playing days.
So when sports figures make social stands, chances are they mean it.
This video includes clips from the San Jose Mercury News, The Oregonian, ESPN, Library of Congress, Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, PBS, Nike and KNBR and images from Getty Images.
