Hector Bellerin one of many fighting for social change through athletic influence

Hector Bellerin, the Spanish footballer known for his time at Arsenal and now playing for Real Betis, has emerged as a leading voice in sustainable living, earning him the global champion title at the BBC Green Sport Awards on Oct 6.

The defender uses his platform in football to advocate for environmental responsibility, challenging the sport’s often extravagant culture. As reported by Reuters, he demonstrates that elite athletes can drive meaningful change towards a greener planet by opting for bicycles and public transport over flashy cars, embracing second-hand purchases and promoting veganism.

The award, part of the BBC’s initiative to recognise eco-conscious efforts in sports, has previously honoured a range of innovators pushing different boundaries in sustainability.

In 2024, British Olympic gold medallist rower Imogen Grant took Athlete of the Year for her role in advocating for river restoration and health, while Australian race walker Rhydian Cowley won World Athlete of the Year for his work with environmental groups like EcoAthletes and signing letters against greenwashing sponsors.

Earlier in 2023, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins claimed Athlete of the Year for founding the Cricket for Climate foundation, which installed solar power in clubs and reduced emissions.

“I feel with power comes responsibility. Every time someone puts a microphone next to you, there’s a chance to talk about issues, to generate conversation,” Bellerin stated, reflecting on his role as an influencer. 

The Spaniard and his fellow award winners are part of a larger lineage of athletes who have leveraged their visibility for progressive causes, proving that sports stardom can catalyse societal progress.

Consider Mathieu Flamini, the former Arsenal midfielder.

After retiring, he co-founded GF Biochemicals, a biotechnology firm producing eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel-based products, aiming to minimise air pollution and combat climate change.

His activism stems from a deep commitment to environmental protection, including serving on the Paris 2024 Olympic Environmental Excellence Committee which was tasked with translating the environmental ambitions of the bid into concrete actions.  

Like his former teammate Bellerin, Flamini views athletes’ platforms as tools for educating people.

“We all have to stand together, so more and more athletes can understand they have a social responsibility and can use their platform to drive positive change,” he told The Guardian previously.

But it is not just about the environment and sustainability issues.

In the realm of racial justice, former National Football League (NFL) quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s bold protests redefined athlete activism. 

He famously “took a knee” during the United States national anthem in 2016 to highlight police brutality and systemic racism, a stance that cost him his league spot but ignited global conversations.

His action inspired widespread protests across different sports, from high-school fields to professional leagues, including solidarity from former women’s footballer Megan Rapinoe.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour,” Kaepernick told NFL media in a strongly worded statement. His resilience against backlash solidified him as a symbol of non-violent resistance, proving one athlete’s stand can ripple into societal reckoning.

National Basketball Association superstar LeBron James has similarly harnessed his massive stature to help the younger generation and also fight for social justice, evolving from on-court dominance to off-court leadership. 

Through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he founded the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, in 2018. It serves over 1,500 students and their families by providing them with “fundamental resources, wraparound supports and family programming they need for success in school and beyond”, said its website.

James had previously stated that all his students “would have the opportunity to earn four-year college scholarships to The University of Akron” in his aim to break cycles of poverty in his hometown.

The Los Angeles Lakers forward has also protested against racial violence and social injustice, contributing millions to community causes and producing documentaries on inequality. 

“(We need to) continue to push social injustice... continue to push police brutality, continue to push everything that is opposite of love. If we can continue to do that, all of us, America will be a much better place,” he said.

Gymnast Simone Biles, a seven-time Olympic gold medallist, advocates for mental health and survivors of abuse – both of which she personally suffered from.

As a survivor of sexual abuse by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, she testified before Congress in 2021, pushing for accountability and reform in sports governance. 

The American withdrew from multiple events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to prioritise her well-being, sparking global discussions on athlete mental health amid all the pressure. 

“It wasn’t my goal. It’s not what I really wanted... but at least we’re going through it together and I could teach them (fellow sufferers) something in that,” she said on the Olympic website of her advocacy role.

These figures – Flamini, Kaepernick, James and Biles – mirror Bellerin’s drive and the BBC award winners’ ethos to make the world a better place, each using their athletic legacies to tackle pressing issues from environmental degradation to racial inequity and psychological wellness.

Their collective efforts illustrate that athletes are not mere players in their sport but agents of transformation who could spark a cultural change.

As sports continue evolving, such advocates ensure the field extends far beyond the pitch or court, and into the heart of global challenges that matter more than scores and medals.