The United States’ issues with police brutality, social injustice, and racism have garnered the attention of the world and many athletes are speaking up to change that. Some in the law enforcement field are stepping up to help on the matter, too, as they believe some people within their field have often abused their power.
Nobody may agree with those sentiments more than former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver and tight end-turned local sheriff officer Ernest Wilford, who joined the team for their march Friday. Joined by his wife and son during the march, Wilford told WJXT4 that he wants to be the voice of change in terms of the issues America is seeing between the police and minorities.
“I was a Jaguar for seven years in the league and I’ve been a police officer for six years, but for 41 years I’ve been a black man,” Wilford said. “It’s very important I use my platform to let everyone know that black lives do matter.”
“The murder of George Floyd was unbearable and it hurts. I want to make sure that I show my solidarity and let everyone know that I hear the voices and I want change. In order for change to be made, I have to show my support, so I will be that voice.”
As many are aware, Wilford was drafted by the Jags out of Virginia Tech in the fourth-round (No. 120 overall) of the 2004 draft and played for Jack Del Rio all throughout his Jags tenure. He moved to Jacksonville as a result of being drafted after college and seemingly liked it enough to make it home and join the police force after his career.
Wilford continued by telling WJXT4 that the things he’s seen happen to minorities and encountered as an African American are concerning. He also expressed his concern for young minorities, too, as he’s the father of a 13-year-old himself.
“Yes. I mean, that could’ve been my son,” Wilford said when asked does he relate to situations like George Floyd’s and Ahmaud Arbery’s. “The stories I come across all too frequently and too often that I have to sit down and talk to my son about [are concerning]. I wouldn’t want that for anybody, so that’s why I’m here today, just to show my solidarity.”
Wilford is a former player who is in a unique situation being that he’s now a law enforcer and that’s why it’s good to see him step up to the plate and do his part. Maybe in the end he can be a key factor in shaping a better relationship between African Americans and the Jacksonville police force, which also would provide America with the example it needs at the moment.