Legendary surfer Kelly Slater paid tribute to slain teen Mike Brown last week at the Billabong Pro Tahiti surf competition when he put his hands up, emulating Brown, who was shot multiple times by a police officer earlier this month. It wasn't enough to win the tournament, however. At the final on Tuesday, he was edged out by youngster Gabriel Medina. For, Slater, losing to the enthusiastic Medina might signal an end to his dominance in the sport.
In the last few weeks, many public figures have spoken out or otherwise paid tribute to young Michael Brown, who was senselessly shot to death by a Ferguson, MO cop.
Slater rode a competition wave last week with his hands in the air in tribute to Brown, who some say was in no way a threat to officer Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot him to death (via Washington Post):
"Slater isn't the only athlete who has memorialized Brown. Members of the Washington Redskins defensive secondary came onto the field for a preseason game Monday night with their hands up."
While the gesture was moving, it wasn't enough to secure the final victory in Tahiti. Instead, 20-year old Gabriel Medina barely came away with first place (via SMH.com):
"I don't know, this crying, it's just because I love surfing. I love what I'm doing right now and to get this result is unbelievable.
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