Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins delivered the opening remarks at a recent Boston College symposium about Race, Sports and Politics. The event gathered civic leaders, scholars, athletes, and students to reflect on Boston’s complicated relationship with race and sports. As a Boston College alum and public servant, Sheriff Tompkins offered a unique perspective rooted in both personal experience and professional insight.

“And, while I am no expert on race relations nor am I a certified historian, I have the lived experience of having had to navigate life as a child growing up in the mid-Sixties wearing this skin,” he shared, grounding his remarks in the reality of racial inequality and personal resilience. Sheriff Tompkins spoke candidly about the legacy of systemic racism in both the criminal justice system and professional sports, drawing connections between the past and present. He highlighted Boston’s paradox — home to historic sports milestones in racial progress, yet often slow to reflect those values in broader society. From the Celtics drafting Chuck Cooper and elevating Bill Russell to head coach, to the Red Sox’s delayed integration and the advocacy work of today’s athletes like Jaylen Brown and the McCourty twins, Tompkins painted a vivid picture of how Boston’s sports legacy both mirrors and challenges its racial history. In closing, he urged continued engagement and activism: “It is my hope that we continue speaking out from every corner of this country, from every profession and practice as we face today’s challenges.”