4 Officers Walk Out of WNBA Game After Players Wear Powerful Message Shirts

A WNBA game involving the Minnesota Lynx sparked national attention when four off-duty Minneapolis police officers walked out of their security posts in protest. The players had worn black warm-up shirts honoring Philando Castile and Alton Sterling—two men whose deaths involved police—and also included a Dallas police badge on the back to recognize officers killed in a separate tragedy. The shirts featured the phrase “Black Lives Matter,” and the players explained during a pre-game press conference that their intention was to acknowledge loss on all sides and call for meaningful dialogue about violence, safety, and justice.

The police federation objected strongly to the players’ message, with officials saying the shirts promoted what they believed to be an unfair portrayal of law enforcement. When team leaders refused to ask the players to remove the shirts, the four officers chose to leave the arena. Federation president Lt. Bob Kroll publicly criticized the players, suggesting athletes should avoid political statements—remarks that sparked even more debate about free expression and the role of public figures in social issues.

City leadership responded quickly. Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau noted that while officers had the right to their personal opinions, abandoning their security duties mid-shift did not meet professional expectations. Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges also spoke out, distancing herself from Kroll’s comments and supporting the Lynx players’ right to express their views. Their responses underscored the increasingly complex relationship between public service, public expression, and community expectations.

The incident became a defining example of how athlete activism intersects with law enforcement and public perception. As more athletes across major leagues continue to speak out on social issues, moments like the Lynx walkout highlight both the influence of sports figures and the strong emotions tied to national conversations about race, justice, and safety. Even years later, the event remains a reminder that sports can be a powerful platform for reflection, dialogue, and social change.