Originally on Saturday, the Seahawks’ plan was to have a practice, and make available players Chris Carson, Jarran Reed, and Tre Flowers to the media. Then, that all changed, and it was announced that head coach Pete Carroll would speak instead. One could surmise that it probably wasn’t to announce the signing of receiver Paul Richardson, which also happened on Saturday.
When Carroll did speak, it was quite remarkable. Since at least June, when he opened up to me about it in an interview, Carroll has been talking about the need for white coaches, white players, and just white people in general to listen to their Black colleagues, teammates, competitors, and friends when it comes to such issues as civil rights and police brutality.
Saturday’s message was on a different level, both in topic and emotion. You can watch the entire press conference here.
Pete Carroll: “I’m going to speak from the heart here…This is a really big day in our country…”#Seahawks is talking now pic.twitter.com/Q6ohoouofx
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) August 29, 2020
“This is a calling today, for all coaches, to take this leadership opportunity,” Carroll said, per Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune. “Never before this year has it ever been this deep, this rich with our players to teach us what it’s like to be a Black man in America….white people don’t know. The Black people can’t scream anymore [than they have].
“Black people know the truth. They know exactly what is going on. White people don’t know. This is a white-people issue to get over… maybe there’s a new door to walk through, to do what’s right. And what’s right is to treat people equally.
“They are crying out,” Carroll said of his players.
“Can you imagine how long Black people have hung on with the belief that it’s going to be better?… Racism is out the door. Get rid of it.”
Carroll then called on Americans to participate in a “Sixty days to march, a commitment to vote” action leading up to the general election on November 3.
“There’s only one way to do this, really. It’s to do it by caring,” Carroll continued. And then, he was out.
Pete Carroll walks off after saying he believes “extraordinary things will happen” in our country. #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/wKIi9K3DnG
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) August 29, 2020
Carroll also announced that all Seahawks players will be registered to vote today. The Seahawks are one of a handful of teams committed to using their stadiums as voting centers in November.