NFL players, coaches speak out about police shooting of Jacob Blake

Multiple NFL players have spoken out about the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

When George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25, it was a tragedy that could have easily been avoided. It was also a tripwire to a nationwide increase in protests and awareness of police brutality and racial inequity that has been shown throughout the NFL, as well. No longer did the league set its parameters at banning pre-game protests and blacklisting players who sent out messages that weren’t NFL-approved — now, the league seemed to understand that the tide was so formidable, even the league couldn’t control it.

So on Sunday, when Jacob Blake, another black man, was shot multiple times in the back by Kenosha, Wisconsin police while his children watched from his car, the reaction from the NFL world was swift.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara called the shooting “attempted murder,” (at the time of this article’s publication, Blake is reported to have survived) and included a link to the video of the shooting, which we will warn you is not for the faint of heart.

Receiver Michael Thomas, Kamara’s teammate, had this simple message.

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan was right there with his teammates.

This from Chiefs defensive back Tyrann Mathieu:

And this from Aaron Rodgers, who has a bit of a knowledge background based on his years in the state of Wisconsin:

And Matt LaFleur, Rodgers’ head coach, had a meeting with his team’s leadership council to talk about the shooting.

Texans receiver Kenny Stills, who has been socially and politically active throughout his NFL career, was emotional and thoughtful when asked about it.

Per the Kenosha News, Blake is in serious condition at a Milwaukee area hospital. From the report:

At least a half dozen witnesses said that the man had tried to break up a fight between the two women outside a home at 2805 40th St. and that police had attempted to use a Taser on the man prior to the shooting. Then, they heard at least seven gunshots ring out.

Witnesses said he was unarmed and shot in the back.

A video that has since gone viral on social media shows the man walking away from officers and going around the vehicle to get inside. While the man is entering the vehicle the video shows an officer firing a gun at the man inside the vehicle. A woman in the video is screaming as he is being shot.

It was not immediately known whether the man had a weapon.

Per multiple reports, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.