Tag: George Floyd

Ohio State athletes, coaches unify on Twitter to George Floyd tragedy

Following the tragic death of George Floyd, many Ohio State current, former, and future players as well as coaches, spoke out on Twitter.

There’s been a number of personalities react to the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd and the hands of a Minneapolis Police Officer. Players and coaches at Ohio State have also gotten into the act with unifying messages released on Twitter.

We’ve grabbed the best of them and are sharing them here. We hope it continues to raise awareness and spurs those that have influence into action for a tough topic and problem in this country that needs to be addressed. Not just by minorities that continue to be victims of senseless overreaches of force, but for those that aren’t as affected.

Change will only come when the majority says enough is enough and works collaboratively to change this country. We cannot go on with where things are today. The history of our country and humanity depend on it.

The following includes many of the reactions that athletes and coaches shared on Twitter. Read them, let them resonate, and let’s do our best to make sure these types of tragedies don’t happen again.

Do the right thing. Take action. Remember.

Next … Ohio State administrators and coaches speak out

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Several NBA rookies share Nike ‘Don’t Do It’ ad supporting George Floyd

Some rookies including Ja Morant, De’Andre Hunter and Tyler Herro shared the Nike “Don’t Do It” advertisement on Instagram.

As protests were sparked nationally in the days following the killing of George Floyd, Nike released an advertisement counter to its usual message: “Don’t Do It.”

The ad reads:

“For once, Don’t Do It. Don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America. Don’t turn your back on racism. Don’t accept innocent lives being taken from us. Don’t make any more excuses. Don’t think this doesn’t affect you. Don’t sit back and be silent. Don’t think you can’t be part of the change. Let’s all be part of the change.”

Several NBA rookies shared the post on Instagram.

Ja Morant, De’Andre Hunter, Darius Garland, Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish and Tyler Herro, shared the ad to their stories.

All six of them are sponsored by Nike.

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Jordan Poole, meanwhile, shared the Reebok advertisement that was posted to the @nicekicks page.

The ad reads:

“Without the black community, Reebok would not exist. America would not exist. We are not asking you to buy our shoes. We are asking you to walk in someone else’s. To stand in solidarity. To find common ground in humanity.”

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell releases statement on George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement on George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, outlining the platform the league has to address systemic issues in the country.

As the United States sees protests continue from coast to coast in the wake of the death of George Floyd, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell added his voice to those who have already spoken out about the incident and the systemic issues underlying the anger of many in the African-American community.

 

The NFL family is greatly saddened by the tragic events across our country. The protesters’ reactions to these incidents reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Mr. George Floyd and to those who have lost loved ones, including the families of Ms. Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, the cousin of Tracy Walker of the Detroit Lions.

As current events dramatically underscore, there remains much more to do as a country and as a league. These tragedies inform the NFL’s commitment and our ongoing efforts. There remains an urgent need for action. We recognize the power of our platform in communities and as part of the fabric of American society. We embrace that responsibility and are committed to continuing the important work to address these systemic issues together with our players, clubs and partners.

The statement references not only George Floyd, but also Breonna Taylor, who was shot to death in her home in Louisville, and Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot while out for a jog in Georgia. These three recent incidents, in addition to the countless others that have played out for the world to see, have raised the calls for reform and change in the United States.

As Goodell outlines in his statement, the NFL can play a critical role in moving this conversation forward and driving the necessary change and reform. Goodell states that the league “recognize[s] the power of our platform in communities and as a part of the fabric of American society. We embrace that responsibility and are committed to continuing the important work to address these systemic issues together with our players, clubs and partners.”

It remains to be seen what Goodell and the NFL will do going forward, especially given the current status of former quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose act of taking a knee to draw attention to these systemic issues saw him ridiculed and eventually out of a job in the NFL. Goodell’s statement and these words are needed right now, but true action will be more important — and necessary — in the weeks and months ahead. The Commissioner is correct that he and the league have a huge platform at their disposal, but actions speak louder than words.

 

Jaylen Brown using social media to help coordinate marches in Atlanta

Boston Celtics fourth-year shooting guard Jaylen Brown is helping direct protesters in Atlanta via his social media accounts.

Boston Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown is using his platform in the pursuit of social justice quite literally Saturday as he helps coordinate protests in Atlanta Georgia that have arisen in response to the death of George Floyd.

Floyd, an African American man who died in Minneapolis after being restrained with unapproved techniques, then having his neck leaned on by an officer dispatched to investigate reports of an allegedly counterfeit bill, has sparked protests nationwide.

The incident, caught on video, has jarred a country already in a historic crisis as the coronavirus pandemic continues, many of the cities involved in local protests yet to emerge from stay-at-home orders.

Brown has been a vocal member of the wider NBA community on both crises, and chose to travel to his home state of Georgia to add his voice — and organizing capabilities — to local protest efforts.

The Marietta native has been helping relay messages about where protestors should go as road closures and other events on the ground change in real time, helping to amplify the message by virtue of his considerable following on multiple social media platforms.

Brown joins current and former NBA players like Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns — who just lost his mother to COVID-19 — and former San Antonio Spur champion Stephen Jackson, a friend of Floyd, in demonstrating police violence at great personal risk.

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Ohio State AD Gene Smith releases statement in wake of George Floyd tragedy

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith shared some thoughts on Twitter regarding the tragic death of George Floyd.

This country is tattered and torn. Ther’es the pandemic that the world is gripped with, and now racial tensions are again at a boiling point because of the senseless and tragic death of George Floyd.

Both peaceful protests and violent riots have broken out across this country, and the only way we’re going to heal if there is real change that comes out of all of this. We have to band together and collectively move in the right direction.

Many famous personalities and figures have come out and called for change and expressed their condolences for yet another case of needless and overreaching misuse of violence towards minorities in this country by the police.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith is one of those people that put his thoughts in writing. He shared them via his Twitter profile on Saturday.

“My beautiful mother was born in the rural South in 1926,” said Smith. “Among the many indignities she suffered, she often had to step into the gutter instead of walking on the sidewalk. She lived to see her son become Athletic Director at Ohio State, something she never dreamed possible.”

“Now, as I cherish my children and grandchildren, I call on all of us to make their world a place where what happened in New York and Minnesota this week is not tolerated. A world where equal justice for all is a reality.”

“My life’s work is dedicated to talented young men and women of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexual preferences and socioeconomic statuses. I love and support each and every one of them. I dream of a world that does the same.”

Below is the Tweet Smith shared.

Say what you will about Smith on some of the criticism he has received in the past, but it’s hard not to get behind this message. Hopefully, this and many other messages shared along the same lines bring about some significant and much-needed change.

LeBron James hits road with Anthony Davis for Klutch Sports bike ride

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is still staying in shape and he met up with a couple of friends to get it in on Saturday.

Much of the countries cities have erupted in riots in response to the murder of George Floyd by Minnesota police officers, with riots beginning in the Twin Cities but quickly spreading to cities all over the United States. While all of this has been going on and people are taking to the streets to protest violence against black people in the United States, LeBron James has not been quiet about his feelings regarding the race in America. One day after issuing his first statement on George Floyd, LeBron reminded everyone he is still plenty pissed off about having to protest the same thing for years and years.

View this post on Instagram

STILL!!!! 🤬😢😤

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on

But on Saturday morning, LeBron James needed to get some fresh air and he had some friends by his side to join him, in Anthony Davis, Jordan Clarkson, J.R. Smith, and Rich Paul, for a Saturday bike ride. Smith posted the photo on his Instagram.

Although the pandemic has kept most gyms closed, riding a bicycle or going for a walk/run can be one of the healthiest ways to get exercise while still maintaining social distancing. James has been getting it in at his home gym, but being able to connect with teammates and friends while working out is an added bonus.

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You need to read Dwane Casey’s statement on protests around the country

This one is powerful.

The killing of George Floyd has so many people at a loss for words. So many are just searching for the right words to say. Some are just left straight up speechless.

Detroit Pistons coach Dwane Casey is not one of those people. Somehow, he came up with the exact right words to say that perfectly reflect just how dire the situation is.

Casey reflected on how he grew up in Kentucky throughout the 60’s. He reflected on his experiences back then with racism in America and compared it to the situation at hand today.

And he’s left to wonder how much has actually changed since that time.

“I can remember exactly how I felt as an eight-year-old child. I felt helpless. I felt as if I was neither seen, nor heard, nor understood. As I have watched the events unfold in the days following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a city where I coached and once called home, I see how many people continue to feel those same feelings — helpless, frustrated, invisible, angry.” 

He continued.

“I understand the outrage because it seems the list continues to grow: Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd. The injustices continue to mount and nothing seems to be changing.” 

Extremely well said from Casey. Those are very powerful words.

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo releases statement on the death of George Floyd

Izzo calls for a collective fight to end racism in America.

Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo has released a statement on the death of Georg Floyd.

Floyd died on May 25, 2020 after Derek Chauvin of the Minnesota Police Department knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest. The incident was captured on camera and sparked outrage and protest across the country which has continued through five nights.

In the statement Izzo calls for a collective fight against racism, saying, “If we are going to fight racism, it’s a burden we all share, regardless of the color of our skin.” He continues, “As a country, we must do better. We can’t change the past, but must start to build a better future – a future where everyone feels safe and valued.”

You can read the full statement below. Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker also released a statement on Floyd’s death Friday night.

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Colin Kaepernick is paying the legal fees for protestors in Minneapolis

All protestors have to do is fill out a form.

It’s been four years since Colin Kaepernick first took a knee during the national anthem in protest against police brutality and the unjust treatment of black people in America.

Four years later and he’s still doing his part in fighting against those very same injustices and protecting those who will join him.

Protests erupted in Minneapolis after George Floyd, an unarmed black man, was killed by a police officer who pinned his knee into Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes.

Some protestors participating have been arrested by the police officers as tensions have continued to escalate in the city. That’s where Kaepernick is stepping in.

On Friday, Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp organization announced a partnership with defense lawyers in the Minneapolis area to establish a legal fund to pay legal fees of any protestors arrested in Minneapolis.

Anyone who has been arrested or knows someone who has been arrested because of the protests are only required to fill out the form on the website for help.

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Panthers players share thoughts on George Floyd, social justice

Carolina Panthers players share thoughts on George Floyd, social justice.

Protests have erupted in cities across the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd. A Minneapolis police officer has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder. This issue of police violence against African Americans hits home for many NFL players and is the reason for Colin Kaepernick and former Panthers safety Eric Reid’s kneeling protests.

Reid was the most outspoken individual on the team but he’s no longer on the roster after being released in March. Other Carolina players are talking about Floyd and larger issues of social justice, though.

Here’s a roundup of what they’ve been tweeting.

LB Shaq Thompson

FS Tre Boston

WR Robby Anderson

CB Troy Pride Jr.

OL Branden Bowen

TE Cam Sutton

Former WR Torrey Smith

Former DE Julius Peppers

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