Tag: BLM

Broncos players kneel during national anthem before ‘Monday Night Football’

Several Broncos players knelt during the playing of the national anthem before facing the Titans on Monday Night Football in Week 1.

Safety Justin Simmons and running back Melvin Gordon were among 18 Denver Broncos players who knelt during the playing of the national anthem before “Monday Night Football” in Week 1.

Broncos players met last week with coach Vic Fangio and discussed their plans to protest racism and police brutality this season.

“We discussed all the different things that we could do as a group and individually,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said before practice last Thursday. “We came up with the conclusion that we would allow everyone to do what they feel comfortable doing because everyone has their own personal reasons for why they may stand or why they may kneel.”

Sutton emphasized last week that protesting players do not hate America or the military. They’re trying to use their platforms to draw attention to issues that need to be addressed.

“It’s not that you hate America,” Sutton said. “It’s not that you dislike the military or that you’re being disrespectful to them. You’re kneeling because of the police brutality and the unjust racism that’s going on in this country. We’re using our platform to continue to bring light to that situation.”

Sutton also said the players who stood for the anthem are not at odds with their kneeling teammates.

“The guys that stand, they’re not [for] social injustice, racism and the things that’s going on in this country … we know the guys that stand, they’re not against what the guys that are kneeling … it’s nice that everyone is going to be able to go out and show their support in whatever way they feel comfortable, whether it’s a kneel or a stand.”

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Florida Gators guard Scottie Lewis speaks out on social justice

Lewis said this movement isn’t just about social justice for Black people, it represents an intersection of all oppressed groups.

Since protests, marches and discussions about racial justice in this country reached a fever pitch this summer, Florida basketball guard Scottie Lewis has been one of the most vocal Gators athletes.

When UF athletes across all sports protested in downtown Gainesville last weekend, Lewis addressed the crowd with an emotional and powerful speech.

Speaking to the media Tuesday, Lewis elaborated on his positions and the goals of his activism. He said he believes he has a unique opportunity to use his platform to create positive change.

“Just as a voice of not only athletes but as people, I figured if I’m going to have a voice or have a platform, what better way to do it than to give myself up and sacrifice a lot of things in order to make sure that myself and the people like me and the people that look like me, are setting a strong foundation for the ones coming after us,” Lewis said.

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Lewis said this movement isn’t just about social justice for Black people, though that is certainly a priority in the wake of high-profile police shootings around the country. Instead, he says the movement represents an intersection of all oppressed groups.

“No matter where you come from, no matter who you are, no matter what you believe in, we’re more alike than what people may suggest that we are,” Lewis said. “You go to the protests and look out to the crowd, you see a very diverse group of people, all fighting for one thing, and I guess in retrospect, it’s bigger than African-Americans, it’s among the LGBTQ communities and women, black people, white people, people of color all over the world who have felt less than human, simply because of what other people say about them.”

Much like the protestors at-large, the reception for athletes speaking their minds on these issues has been mixed. When NBA star Lebron James spoke out about, among other things, racial issues in the United States as well as criticism of Pres. Donald Trump, Fox News host Laura Ingraham said, “Keep the political comments to yourselves. … Shut up and dribble.”

Lewis said that the phrase “shut up and dribble,” which has since been co-opted by sports fans looking to silence athletes on social issues, was perhaps the “most ignorant thing” he had ever heard.

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Florida Gators guard Scottie Lewis speaks out on social justice

Lewis said this movement isn’t just about social justice for Black people, it represents an intersection of all oppressed groups.

Since protests, marches and discussions about racial justice in this country reached a fever pitch this summer, Florida basketball guard Scottie Lewis has been one of the most vocal Gators athletes.

When UF athletes across all sports protested in downtown Gainesville last weekend, Lewis addressed the crowd with an emotional and powerful speech.

Speaking to the media Tuesday, Lewis elaborated on his positions and the goals of his activism. He said he believes he has a unique opportunity to use his platform to create positive change.

“Just as a voice of not only athletes but as people, I figured if I’m going to have a voice or have a platform, what better way to do it than to give myself up and sacrifice a lot of things in order to make sure that myself and the people like me and the people that look like me, are setting a strong foundation for the ones coming after us,” Lewis said.

[lawrence-related id=15455]

Lewis said this movement isn’t just about social justice for Black people, though that is certainly a priority in the wake of high-profile police shootings around the country. Instead, he says the movement represents an intersection of all oppressed groups.

“No matter where you come from, no matter who you are, no matter what you believe in, we’re more alike than what people may suggest that we are,” Lewis said. “You go to the protests and look out to the crowd, you see a very diverse group of people, all fighting for one thing, and I guess in retrospect, it’s bigger than African-Americans, it’s among the LGBTQ communities and women, black people, white people, people of color all over the world who have felt less than human, simply because of what other people say about them.”

Much like the protestors at-large, the reception for athletes speaking their minds on these issues has been mixed. When NBA star Lebron James spoke out about, among other things, racial issues in the United States as well as criticism of Pres. Donald Trump, Fox News host Laura Ingraham said, “Keep the political comments to yourselves. … Shut up and dribble.”

Lewis said that the phrase “shut up and dribble,” which has since been co-opted by sports fans looking to silence athletes on social issues, was perhaps the “most ignorant thing” he had ever heard.

NEXT: Read more

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen: ‘We must Love and Respect each other’

Dan Mullen tweeted on Saturday a message of solidarity with BLM as well as his own reflections on his experience with personal growth.

Florida Gators football head coach Dan Mullen tweeted on Saturday a message of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement as well as his own reflections on his experience with personal growth the past several months.

Here is what the head coach had to say on his Twitter account on Saturday.

“I have learned a lot over the last several months. We live in a nation that was founded on the idea of freedom and equality for everyone. It is a beautiful idea, however, that has not always been followed. It is up to us to make this idea a reality. This will not happen overnight, but we should not wait until tomorrow to start trying. I have listened to our players and our coaches and although, I can never walk in their shoes or know the feeling of the social injustices they have experienced, I can try to understand and respect the feelings they have. It is much easier to understand that Black Lives Matter when we try to understand and respect the feelings they have. It is much easier to understand that Black Lives Matter when we try to understand the struggles of others and not just focus on our own struggles. We cannot Love each other unless we embrace our differences. We don’t always have to agree, but we must Love and Respect each other. As a football team, we come together from different backgrounds, races and religions. But thru hard work, sacrifice and commitment to each other, we come together as a team and a family for once common goal. No two of us are alike but we are a Team and a Family. What a difference we can all make by living our lives this way. I challenge everyone not to wait until tomorrow, make a difference today.”

Gators Wire staff member Tyler Nettuno talked about the example that Mullen has set among college coaches in his column Friday, pointing out that the third-year skipper is ahead of the curve among his colleagues when speaking out against social injustices. While his words still leave plenty to be desired, it is a great start and a reminder to all of the importance of personal improvement in each and every one of us.

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Broncos release statement: ‘In the strongest terms, we condemn police brutality’

“It is time for accountability and real policy reform,” the Broncos said in a statement.

After canceling Thursday’s practice, the Denver Broncos released the following statement on their official Twitter page:

Following a team meeting this morning to discuss the horrific events in Kenosha, Wis., and the many social injustices around the country, the Denver Broncos have canceled all football activities today. As an organization, we are outraged and disgusted with the shooting of Jacob Blake. Our hearts go out to his children, family and the entire Kenosha community. 

While this tragedy took place in Melvin Gordon’s hometown of Kenosha, this hits home for all of us. In the strongest terms, we condemn police brutality, excessive force and these senseless acts of violence that have caused so much pain. It is time for accountability and real policy reform. The players are standing together as a team. More importantly, they are standing up for those who need them the most. 

We applaud the strength, unity and leadership of the players. The Denver Broncos will fully and unconditionally support them. Today is about reflection and identifying ways to affect meaningful change. The strongest statement we can make is by taking action. It will take all of us.

Denver was originally scheduled to practice Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a day off Sunday. It remains to be seen if the schedule will be revised. The NFL’s season opener is two weeks away from today.

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Broncos won’t practice Thursday

The Broncos will not practice today.

The Denver Broncos will not practice Thursday after Jacob Blake was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday.

In protest of police brutality and racism, NBA, MLS, MLB and WNBA players went on strike for games that were scheduled to be played on Wednesday evening. Most of those games were postponed (MLS played one game before postponing the others).

Many NFL teams have followed suit and canceled practices.

The Broncos were scheduled to practice on Thursday morning but called a team meeting instead to discuss a plan of action. Brandon Krisztal of KOA Radio was the first to report Denver will not practice today.

Broncos players have been vocal in their support of social justice this offseason. Earlier this summer, more than 50 players attended a Black Lives Matter march in Denver and several players spoke on a platform.

“The time is always right to do what’s right,” outside linebacker Von Miller told the peaceful protestors. “Once we have awareness, we’ve got to come up out of oblivion. We’ve got to always do what’s right. Once we have awareness, we’ve got to use our moral compass to make decisions on what’s right. Black, white, it doesn’t matter — it’s 2020.

“Muhammad Ali, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Jim Brown [and we’re] still fighting this fight. It’s up to us to keep it going. My teammates, they care that I’m here — I’m in the locker room with these guys each and every day. I’m proud of these guys. I’m proud of Denver, I’m proud of the state of Colorado. We’ve got to keep this going. Thank you, we appreciate you.”

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Steph Curry and Klay Thompson react to Doc Rivers’ powerful response to the shooting of Jacob Blake

Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry shared praise for Doc Rivers’ passionate response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Clippers took a 3-2 series lead over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks with a 154-111 blowout victory.

After the game, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was asked about the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot in the back seven times by police in Kenosha on Sunday.

When speaking about the Blake shooting, the veteran coach delivered an emotional response inside the Orlando Bubble.

Via @NBAonTNT on Twitter:

It’s just so sad. What stands out to me just watching the Republican [National] Convention, and they’re spewing this fear. All you hear is Donald Trump and all of them talking about fear. We’re the ones getting killed. We’re the ones getting shot. We’re the ones that were denied to live in certain communities. We’ve been hung. We’ve been shot. And all you do is keep hearing about fear. It’s amazing to me why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us back.

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson thanked Rivers for his powerful message. Thompson shared prayers for Blake and his family, along with those demanding justice in Kenosha.

Via @KlayThompson on Twitter:

Golden State’s two-time Most Valuable Player Steph Curry tweeted he was “proud” to know the Clippers coach, saying there is “so much truth” in every word of his comments.

Via @StephenCurry30 on Twitter:

On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted game five of their playoff series against the Orlando Magic in response to the Blake shooting in Kenosha.

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Following the Bucks’ decision, players from the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets boycotted their scheduled games. The league later postponed all three playoff contests.

In wake of the Blake shooting and NBA protests, the Golden State Warriors released a statement.

Via @warriors on Twitter:

Golden State Warriors release statement in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake

The Golden State Warriors have released a statement following the NBA’s playoff protests in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake.

In a historic move on Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks stopped the sports world with the decision to boycott game five of their playoff series against the Orlando Magic.

In response to the shooting of Jacob Blake, Bucks players did not take the court against the Magic at the NBA’s Disney World campus. Blake, a Black man, was shot in the back seven times by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday. 

After the Bucks protest, two other playoff games were boycotted. Game fives between the Trail Blazers-Lakers and the Thunder-Rockets were postponed. Players and teams from around the NBA shared messages of support for the Bucks’ decision.

The Golden State Warriors released a statement in the wake of the NBA protests and Blake shooting.

Via @warriors on Twitter:

The recent events in Kenosha, Wis., where yet another young Black man, Jacob Blake, was shot by police, are appalling. Unfortunately, this is yet another example of an unacceptable pattern across our country, not only in recent months with George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, but for many painful years. We support NBA players in taking actions designed to shed light and send a loud and clear message: enough is enough. We are united in our stance against racial injustice.

In a separate Tweet, the Warriors demanded change in their “Justice for Jacob” call. Golden State shared contact information for places to demand action for Blake.

Following the NBA player’s lead, Golden State’s Bay Area neighbors, the San Francisco Giants were apart of one of the three MLB games not to be played on Wednesday due to boycotts. The Giants game at Oracle Park in San Francisco against the Los Angeles Dodgers was postponed. 

Via @SFGiants on Twitter: 

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Members of the Warriors react to Bucks boycotting Game 5 vs. Magic in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake

After the Bucks decided to boycott game 5 of their playoff series in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake, Warriors players showed their support on Twitter.

In response to the shooting of Jacob Blake, the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted game five of their postseason series against the Orlando Magic. 

On Sunday, Jacob Blake, a Black man, was shot in the back seven times by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The city of Kenosha is located just 40 miles south of Milwaukee. 

The historic day in sports history caused a chain of reactions from players across the NBA. After the Bucks tilt against the Magic did not tipoff, a trio of members from the Golden State Warriors chimed in on Twitter. 

Via @Dami0nLee on Twitter: 

Via @epaschall on Twitter: 

Via @quese on Twitter: 

Former Golden State point guards Shaun Livingston and Baron Davis praised the players for standing in unity. 

Via @ShaunLivingston on Twitter: 

Via @BaronDavis on Twitter: 

After the postponement of NBA games at Disney World, the Golden State Warriors released a statement in response to the shooting of Blake. 

Via @warriors on Twitter: 

The recent events in Kenosha, Wis., where yet another young Black man, Jacob Blake, was shot by police, are appalling. Unfortunately, this is yet another example of an unacceptable pattern across our country, not only in recent months with George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, but for many painful years. We support NBA players in taking actions designed to shed light and send a loud and clear message: enough is enough. We are united in our stance against racial injustice.

Following the Bucks protest, two other playoff games were boycotted by players in the Orlando Bubble. The league has postponed postseason game fives of the Los Angeles Lakers-Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder-Houston Rockets series.

 According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, NBA players are meeting in the Orlando Bubble to discuss how they’ll progress from Wednesday’s protests. Former Warrior and current NBPA VP Andre Iguodala is slated to speak at the meeting. 

The league has yet to announce if Thursday’s three playoff games will start as scheduled. News surrounding the status of Thursday’s games should follow after Wednesday night’s meeting in Orlando. 

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Seahawks coach Pete Carroll: ‘It’s the season of protests’

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll called 2020 “the season of protests” and will continue to educate his players on justice and equality.

The Seattle Seahawks were in the middle of their mock game Wednesday afternoon when the news broke that the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks did not take the court ahead of their playoff game against the Orlando Magic in protest of the recent shooting of Jacob Blake.

Coach Pete Carroll was asked after the scrimmage whether or not it was likely the Seahawks or any other NFL team would do the same this season.

“You know, anything is possible,” Carroll said. “I mentioned to the players this is the year – it’s the protest season. It’s the season of protests.”

“So we’ll handle ourselves as we do and but this is a protest that doesn’t have an end to it until all the problems go away and we solves the issues and stuff,” Carroll explained. “So we are going to do our part and continue to work to stay actively involved and continue to stay in touch with the situations that are going on by staying on the topics.

“And with it, just in hopes that we can be there to help and support where we can.”

The Seahawks have an off day on Thursday before resuming practice Friday afternoon.

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