"As far as Mr. Newble's separation from Nike at his own volition, it was unrelated to any external issues," said Vada Manager, Nike's director of Global Issues Management, in a statement. "We respect his choice and advocacy. While many Nike athletes are involved in many causes global and domestic, [we] cannot financially support each idea or cause that is presented to us. Many athletes choose to support such efforts from their own proceeds and we can respect those ideals without underwriting each cause."
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Opening eyes to Darfur
Lakers' Newble is spreading the word to NBA players after seeing the effects of the crisis in the African region. He has sent a letter of protest to 2008 Olympic host China for its role as a supplier to the Sudanese government.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 48 words Type of Material: Correction
Lakers: In Monday's Sports section, an article on how the Lakers' Ira Newble has spread the word on the crisis in Darfur also mentioned a humanitarian relief organization he is connected with. The article identified the group as Aids Still Required. The correct name is Aid Still Required.
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Hoping U.S. team will acknowledge crisis
Last August, Newble took a trip with actress Mia Farrow and several others.
"I realized I needed to go to the Darfur area, get my feet on the ground and see what was going on," he said.
"We spent three days in one camp in Chad and two in another. I saw kids, ages 8 to 13, drawing stick figures of women running, holding babies, getting shot in the back by soldiers. They drew pictures of helicopters dropping bombs. There was red scrawled everywhere to show blood. These were their mothers and sisters, family members and friends they watched die in front of them."
Newble tried to remain stoic while listening to these stories. "One individual said to me, 'I'm telling you this because I believe you are going to go back and speak about it so we can get help from the international community.' "
Upon his return, Newble hugged his own two kids, put a picture of one of the little girls he had met on his computer screen and cellphone and began a campaign to spread the word among fellow NBA players.
Eleven players, including six Lakers, filmed public-service announcements about the Darfur crisis. Tracy McGrady made a trip to Chad. Luol Deng and Manute Bol became involved. Newble treated 15 teenagers from the war region now living in Cleveland, a group known as the Lost Boys of the Sudan, to a trip to last year's NBA Finals.
"Ira is the progenitor in the NBA," said Payne. "He has spawned a movement among the players."
While not advocating a boycott of the 2008 Olympics, Newble would like to see members of the U.S. basketball team acknowledge the Darfur situation.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, now a Lakers assistant coach and certainly no stranger to social activism, is impressed by Newble's efforts.
"I think it's great he has this awareness and cares that much," Abdul-Jabbar said. "That says something about who he is. He's looking at things in the larger world."
Newble is considering another trip to Chad this summer. "I always feel like I haven't done enough because nothing's changed," he said.
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steve.springer@latimes.com
