On Saturday, and four days after Election Day on Nov. 3, major news outlets declared Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris the winner of the 2020 presidential race. Biden and Harris were declared victorious after winning Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes, which put them at 279 of the 270 votes needed to win the presidency.
Incumbent Donald Trump, nearing the end of a volatile, destructive, tantrum-filled four years in the Oval Office, is the clear loser, with 214 electoral college votes. Unlike the champion athletes he has publicly degraded and denied celebratory visits to the White House — athletes who most often practice good sportsmanship after a loss, and even shake the hands of the victors before leaving the court — Trump has refused to concede. But that hasn’t stopped these same athletes from reveling in the Biden-Harris victory or sharing their feelings about it.
Here’s a roundup from around the WNBA:
For Natasha Cloud, a 2019 champion with the Washington Mystics and an outspoken activist, the day was emotional. Cloud opted out of the 2020 WNBA season to throw her full energy into social justice reform.
I can’t tell y’all the emotions I’m feeling rn. I know we’re nowhere close to done…we have so much work to do. But for the first time in a long time I feel like I can breathe. @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris lets do this.
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) November 7, 2020
Candace Parker, future Hall of Famer of the Los Angeles Sparks and Pat Summitt protégé, remarked on the potential for the Biden-Harris presidency to return the country to a semblance of normalcy.
This is to everyone who hasn’t seen people that look like them in positions that dictate their life daily….this day is for my 11 year old daughter that doesn’t know “this” isn’t normal. This is for the next generation to see and hear from PEOPLE THAT LOOK DIFFERENT!
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) November 7, 2020
In a subsequent tweet, Parker examined the impact of Harris’ election to the vice presidency on the life of her 11-year-old daughter, Lailaa. Harris becomes the first woman, Black woman and Asian woman elected vice president.
Difference is what makes America AMERICA. I’m proud today, and I’m proud because when I show Lailaa (who has had a black President and now female woman of color VP) that she can do and be anything she wants to be…. She wonders why I ever thought she couldn’t 🤧
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) November 7, 2020
Layshia Clarendon, longtime activist and first vice president of the players’ union, retweeted a message on the significance of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris identifying systemic racism as pressing issues facing the country.
THISSSSSSS! YES YES YES https://t.co/Sk9taxxhm2
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) November 8, 2020
For Swin Cash, two-time WNBA champion and VP of basketball operations/team development for the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets, the election result was a call to action — in particular, to restore as normal the tradition of presidents inviting to the White House for celebratory visits men and women who reach the height of their sports.
Got sent this pic ❤️ S/O to ALL the Olympian’s, National Champs, World Champs etc Can’t wait to see you all visiting the White House once again! 😏 I’m sure President Elect @JoeBiden & Madam VP @KamalaHarris will be celebrating both Men’s and Women’s teams per our traditions 👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/CEhpgWUm97
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) November 7, 2020
Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team/USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach/Olympic gold medalist/Hall of Famer, responded by retweeting a CNN segment in which controversial CNN commentator Van Jones explained tearfully the impact of Trump’s defeat on groups targeted by Trump’s hateful rhetoric and policies.
THIS! THIS! THIS! https://t.co/FPxpi51yi9
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) November 7, 2020
A native of Delaware, 2019 league MVP and champion Elena Delle Donne congratulated Biden and Harris for “making history and paving the way for all of us!!!”
Congrats to my guy @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris making history and paving the way for all of us!!! What a day! I am just so so so happy!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/wBaXPVTNYc
— Elena Delle Donne (@De11eDonne) November 7, 2020
Jonquel Jones, who opted out of the 2020 WNBA season over coronavirus concerns, tweeted expressions of relief and gratitude from Bosnia, where she is playing overseas.
“The African American community stood up for me. You’ve always had my back and I’ll have yours” – #PresidentElectJoe
— Jonquel Jones (@jus242) November 8, 2020
Ok it’s 3am in Bosnia, I’m gonna happy cry myself to sleep 😁😭😁 goodnight ✌🏾
— Jonquel Jones (@jus242) November 8, 2020
Although he did it on Election Day, former president Barack Obama tweeted his gratitude to the sisters Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike for using their platforms to help people cast their ballots. President-elect Biden served as vice president to Obama for two terms.
Thank you Chiney, Nneka, and all of the athletes who are using their platforms and helping people vote in this election. https://t.co/LQbtP53U1C
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 4, 2020
A’ja Wilson retweeted LeBron James’ mockery of Trump’s defeat. James had been a frequent target of Trump due to the NBA star’s criticisms of the soon-to-be-former president and his racist, hate-filled rhetoric and policies.
😂😂 your pettiness level is through the roof and I’m here for it https://t.co/OcTwsNN6zg
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) November 7, 2020
Angel McCoughtry, who conceptualized the idea for players to wear Breonna Taylor’s name on the backs of their jerseys during the 2020 WNBA season of social justice, showed genuine love for Biden.
And league icon Sue Bird popped a cork to celebrate the Biden-Harris victory.
🥳🥳 #BidenHarris2020 🍾🍾 pic.twitter.com/ijV4VgARwv
— Sue Bird (@S10Bird) November 7, 2020