There was no football action at the Detroit Lions headquarters in Allen Park on Tuesday. The practice session scheduled for early afternoon was canceled by the team after the players decided it was more important for them to speak out against the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Blake was shot seven times by police on Sunday, and the shooting was captured on video and widely distributed. It has led to protesting and looting in Kenosha, but the sentiment behind the protesting extends far beyond southeast Wisconsin.
Lions players, led by Duron Harmon, Taylor Decker and Trey Flowers, addressed the media in front of the team’s practice facility as the entire team stood behind them.
Duron Harmon spoke first. Now Trey Flowers has the mic. pic.twitter.com/8uxu0a4Ejj
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) August 25, 2020
The Lions players credited head coach Matt Patricia for being open and receptive to their concerns and desire to do something they felt strongly was bigger than football.
Much more is coming on the Detroit players hoping “to change the world with our platform,” as Flowers stated.