The Los Angeles Chargers joined a handful of NFL teams not practicing Thursday in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.
The Chargers were expected to hold a scrimmage at SoFi Stadium before coach Anthony Lynn announced that they were going to cancel today’s practice after holding an hour long meeting with the team.
Lynn said the team is “committed to winning a championship and also fighting for social justice.”
While Lynn was speaking players of the team walked up to stand behind him.
A handful of other players, including quarterback Tyrod Taylor, defensive tackle Damion Square, running back Justin Jackson and punter Ty Long, then, put on a headset to express their thoughts to the nation.
Blake, a Black man, was shot seven times by police Sunday. Blake was shot as he attempted to enter the driver’s side door of his vehicle with three of his children inside. Video of the shooting was distributed on social media, sparking more protests and causing more athletes to speak out or take action.
We stand with Letetra Widman, the Blake family and every victim of police brutality.#WeDemandChange pic.twitter.com/a1feX4gpmr
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) August 27, 2020