University of Texas safety Caden Sterns is likely going to be a first-round pick once the 2021 NFL Draft comes calling next year. For now, he is attempting to create societal change in Austin.
Sterns has been an outspoken supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and widespread protests taking part around the United States on the heels of the death of George Floyd. He’s also been extremely active on social media.
Sterns is now taking on the entire leadership structure within the University of Texas, calling on further action from administrators and calling for his fellow students to do their part to help create change.
“On behalf of the UT student athletes, we ask to have the following issues address through implementation or a plan for implementation at the start of the fall semester,” Sterns wrote. “We will continue to practice, workout and participate in all required team activities in preparation for the upcoming season, but without an official commitment from the university we will not be participating in the recruitment of incoming players or donor-related events.”
The requests are vast in nature, including renaming:
- Robert Lee Moore Hall (home of multiple education departments)
- Painter Hall (physics building)
- Littlefield Hall (student residency)
- James Hogg Auditorium (performance venue)
Sterns is also requesting more diversity in the school’s athletic Hall of Fame, inclusion modules for incoming freshman to discuss the school’s racist past and replacement of the school’s current fight song.
Needless to say, these changes will take some time. Whether the school’s administration follows through remains to be seen.
A native of Texas, Sterns is entering his junior season with the Longhorns. He was the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and an all-conference player in 2018. Sterns is projected to go within the top-20 picks in next year’s draft.
He will enter the NFL at a time when the league has changed its stance on national anthem protests and the Black Lives Matter movement. Sterns will join a generation of younger NFL players who have spoken out on the issues of the day following the death of George Floyd less than three weeks ago.
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