Bleacher Report has an interesting post ("The Secret (But Healthy!) Diet Powering Kyrie and the NBA") about the growing number of professional basketball players converting to veganism in order to help them lose weight and move more quickly on the court. (A short list of them includes Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Wilson Chandler, Al Jefferson, Garrett Temple, Enes Kanter, JaVale McGee, and Jahlil Okafor.) Former Detroit Piston forward and longtime vegan John Salley has been credited as one of the catalysts for this dietary shift in the NBA. Watching the documentary What the Health further inspired him to become an activist for the vegan cause. "If you ever see that movie and you still eat meat," Salley told Bleacher Report, "then you're just stupid."

Back in September for The Stranger's Back to School issue, I wrote about veganism's role in helping to curb environmental destruction, lessen animal cruelty, and contribute to a healthier life overall. Maybe now that pro athletes are starting to advocate for veganism, it will persuade more people to adopt it as a lifestyle. Let us hope so. The only thing at stake is the survival of the human race.