Florida Gators football head coach Dan Mullen tweeted on Saturday a message of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement as well as his own reflections on his experience with personal growth the past several months.
Here is what the head coach had to say on his Twitter account on Saturday.
“I have learned a lot over the last several months. We live in a nation that was founded on the idea of freedom and equality for everyone. It is a beautiful idea, however, that has not always been followed. It is up to us to make this idea a reality. This will not happen overnight, but we should not wait until tomorrow to start trying. I have listened to our players and our coaches and although, I can never walk in their shoes or know the feeling of the social injustices they have experienced, I can try to understand and respect the feelings they have. It is much easier to understand that Black Lives Matter when we try to understand and respect the feelings they have. It is much easier to understand that Black Lives Matter when we try to understand the struggles of others and not just focus on our own struggles. We cannot Love each other unless we embrace our differences. We don’t always have to agree, but we must Love and Respect each other. As a football team, we come together from different backgrounds, races and religions. But thru hard work, sacrifice and commitment to each other, we come together as a team and a family for once common goal. No two of us are alike but we are a Team and a Family. What a difference we can all make by living our lives this way. I challenge everyone not to wait until tomorrow, make a difference today.”
— Dan Mullen (@CoachDanMullen) August 29, 2020
Gators Wire staff member Tyler Nettuno talked about the example that Mullen has set among college coaches in his column Friday, pointing out that the third-year skipper is ahead of the curve among his colleagues when speaking out against social injustices. While his words still leave plenty to be desired, it is a great start and a reminder to all of the importance of personal improvement in each and every one of us.
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