There are no timeouts in NASCAR. The closest thing to a timeout is the red flag where crews can discuss plans for making repairs after a big crash.
But the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney has joined some of his fellow athletes from various sports for a new campaign called “#Timout Against Hate”.
Created out of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s foundation to “Combat Against Antisemitism,
#Timeout Against Hate” is designed to encourage sports fans to battle hatred.
“#Timeout Against Hate” is a first of its kind event where stars from across the various sports leagues come together to fight hate.
In a closed door meeting, Kraft joined forces with NASCAR President Steve Phelps, Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver, Women’s National Basketball Association Commissioner Cathy Englebert, Nation Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman, and National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Jessica Berman came together in person for the very first time in a historic moment to create the campaign.
Robert Kraft spoke on the campaign saying, “the ‘#Timeout Against Hate’ campaign represents a powerful convergence of sports icons and leaders who are committed to fighting hate in all its forms. In sports, we call a ‘timeout’ when things are heading in the wrong direction and right now, in our country, hate is winning, and we need to change the momentum. Bringing together the commissioners of North America’s major sports leagues for this campaign is a historic and crucial step in our fight against all hate. By uniting under a common cause, we amplify our message and demonstrate that the power of sports extends beyond stadiums, arenas and fields, and into our communities. This initiative is a call to action for everyone to join us in creating a world where hate is met with a unified stand for empathy, understanding, and respect.”
The first ad features NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney, Tennis legend Billie Jean King, basketball champion Shaquille O’Neal, WNBA champion Candace Parker, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, Olympic Gold Medalist Tierna Davidson, soccer champion and Columbus Crew head coach Wilfred Nancy, World Series champion coach Joe Torre, and Edmonton Oiler Zach Hyman.
After premiering during Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime, the ad can be seen all across social media platforms and on billboards across America.