Sean Payton, Saints players raise their voices for social justice

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and many of his players commented on the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests and police brutality.

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Nationwide protests erupted in recent days following the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota resident whose murder in police custody was captured in a viral video. This was the latest incident in a string of killings from around the country, including the death of Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was shot by Louisville police officers in her home. The marches and sit-ins have drawn violent reactions from local governments in many cities, spurring riots and more instances of police brutality.

It’s something that has resonated with New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and many of his players. As public figures, they’ve used their platforms to comment on the unrest as it’s intensified and helped raise awareness of issues important to them.

Payton shared photographs of Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, a black jogger who was recently murdered on camera in Georgia, from his official Twitter account while asking how many deaths were not captured on video, without witnesses — allowing the perpetrators to go unpunished. He added a reminder that change is possible in 22 weeks on Election Day.

Several of Payton’s players responded to his message with enthusiasm — Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara among them. Thomas also shared photographs from the 2020 protests as well as 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, drawing a connection between America’s struggles in the present and those of its past.

Payton has been critical of President Donald Trump in the past, speaking out against the President’s divisive comments after some Saints players joined pregame protests during the 2017 season. It’s a topic in which he found common ground with Cameron Jordan, who also questioned the President’s decisions in this crisis:

Thomas Morstead, another leader of the Saints locker room, took time to explore ways in which he could help his community while imploring his teammates to do the same.

 

Morstead and Payton each took part in the “Blackout Tuesday” trend, sharing blank, black images to show solidarity with the movement protesting police brutality and racial injustice. Justin Hardee and Drew Brees also joined them:

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Demario Davis contributed to a USA Today opinion article and spoke at length with Nola.com’s Luke Johnson. Other Saints players also weighed in, like C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Alex Anzalone:

Longtime Saints running back Mark Ingram called attention to the death of Louisville, Ky. restaurant owner David McAtee, who was killed in the street while protesting Taylor’s murder.

And former Saints tight end Jimmy Graham encouraged his fans and Twitter followers to support local organizations working in social justice initiatives. Graham’s one-time teammate, Benjamin Watson, contextualized the problems facing America today:

Other Saints took a more direct approach. Malcolm Jenkins, a resident of Philadelphia during his six-year Eagles career, marched with protesters in several peaceful demonstrations:

Saints owner Gayle Benson issued a statement decrying Floyd’s death, as well as other victims of policy brutality. She also announced the creation of the Social Justice Leadership Coalition, in which she is committing resources to work in local communities in a partnership with Davis and New Orleans Pelicans players Lonzo Ball and J.J. Reddick:

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