Braden Lenzy is a weapon on the football field who possesses lightning quick speed that very few can compete with. He had a coming out party of sorts in 2019 as he sparked Notre Dame in several contests.
Braden Lenzy isn’t just a football player.
Braden Lenzy is doing more than just posting on social media crying for a change. More importantly, he’s calling on others of all races to do the same.
Lenzy has already taken his thoughts to social media, offering a look into his perspective.
So, if we are learning anything from all of this, I asked that if you value me for what I may be able to do on Saturday’s for ND, value me as a black man the other 6 days of the week too.
— Braden Lenzy (@blspeedy21) May 31, 2020
Lenzy penned a letter that was posted to the Notre Dame athletics website on Thursday. You can read the entire letter here and I recommend you do. Some of the thought and hopefully change-provoking messages include:
Are we so blind as a nation to neglect such a large portion of our country we claim is “the home of the free,” that we won’t admit that everyone isn’t free?
As I woke up today, I felt the need to truly speak up. The nation I grew up loving is failing, and justice has yet to be served. George Floyd’s tragic death struck the hearts of all black men and women around the world, and it forced us to take action.
…
We have come to a point in time where silence is no longer acceptable. The hashtags will no longer cut it. The police brutality that we have endured for my entire life must come to a stop. No one man or woman was created above the other, and it’s time our nation reflects that.
…
I ask you this, America: show love and seek justice. No matter who you are, you can play a role. Peacefully protesting, donating to this cause, or even having a simple conversation with someone who needs it is doing so much. But I strongly urge you to make an effort. Do what is right. Take the steps needed that our fallen Black brothers and sisters should have experienced before they were taken from us. Don’t let the media sway you away from the biggest issue. We need everyone. We truly need you all. We are in pain and we need you. Please stand with us.
Good for Lenzy for speaking what’s on his mind and for the reminder that some may need, that he’s more than just a football player that wears jersey number 25 on Saturday, but that he’s a young man growing up in a country that unfortunately hasn’t changed to the degree some of us would like to think.