In the wake of the untimely death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, as well as countless other deaths in the African-American community, many sports organizations have put out statements condemning the senseless acts of violence and offering their sympathy to the friends and family of the victims.
For many, that is the end of the statement.
However, the Seattle Seahawks are doing more than just offering thoughts and prayers. They are putting their money where their mouth is, and offering up $500,000 in grants from the Seahawks Players Equality & Justice for all Action Fund.
“We hope to advance conversations related to reformation in our nation’s current policies regarding hiring and training within law enforcement, judiciary protections and accountability, and for advanced education related to the history of race in America,” the statement read.
A statement from the Seahawks » https://t.co/Yc4Fg08ALy pic.twitter.com/UCOBT7K8hy
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) June 1, 2020
The Seahawks Players Equality & Justice for all Action Fund was started back in 2017 as a way for Seahawks players to help “create lasting change and build a more compassionate and inclusive society.”
Former Seahawk Doug Baldwin had a massive role in the initial creation of the fund, and he had a hand in this recent $500,000 grant as well, even though he is no longer with the team after medically retiring before the 2019 season.
“I think Doug did an amazing job with [the fund], he was in the loop building that,” Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner commented on a Zoom call with Seattle media on Monday. “I definitely feel like we are just trying to figure out a way to impact our community in a meaningful way. Do it in a way where the money that is being given is providing real change and helping people that are affected by things like this.”
The Seahawks have yet to determine the recipients of the grant money, but if you want to be involved you can donate to the Seahawks Players Equality & Justice for all Action Fund here.
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