Two of the most prominent players on the Kansas City Chiefs have joined their peers across the league in a coordinated and powerful video message, telling the NFL how they should address the issues of racism and police brutality.
“It’s been 10 days since George Floyd was brutally murdered? How many times do we need to ask you to listen to your players? What will it take? For one of us to be murdered by police brutality?” the video began.
“What if I was George Floyd?” several players, including QB Patrick Mahomes, asked rhetorically.
Mahomes and Tyrann Mathieu joined 16 other NFL stars calling on the NFL to act. Roger Goodell released a statement given recent events, but the statement rang hollow. The league’s action of banning on-field kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest probably has something to do with that.
#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/sfwF9Uvgaa
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) June 5, 2020
“I am George Floyd. I am Breonna Taylor. I am Ahmaud Arbery. I am Eric Garner. I am Laquan McDonald. I am Tamir Rice. I am Trayvon Martin. I am Walter Scott. I am Michael Brown Jr. I am Samuel Dubose. I am Frank Smart. I am Phillip White. I am Jordan Baker,” players said, naming many of the black lives unjustly ended at hands of police.
“We will not be silenced. We assert our right to peacefully protest. It shouldn’t take this long to admit.”
All of the players lay out the groundwork for the NFL to redeem themselves. It’s really quite simple, too. They want a public condemnation of racism and oppression and they want the NFL to admit they were wrong in banning players from peaceful protest. It is only then that the players in this video will feel that the NFL believes black lives matter.
“So, on behalf of the National Football League this is what we, the players would like to hear you state: ‘We the National Football League condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people. We the National Football League admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. We the National Football League believe Black Lives Matter.’”
The Kansas City Chiefs Twitter account endorsed the video featuring its players saying, “We love and support our players. We’re proud of you Patrick and Tyrann.” The NFL’s response to this message in the coming days will be paramount, not only in easing tension before the season but also in the ongoing fight to end police brutality.
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