In episode 19 of the “Bleav in the Jags” podcast, Phil and James compiled a list of Caldwell’s worst draft picks and the latest in team news.
After a week off, Jags Wire contributor Phil Smith and I got back in the booth to record another episode of the “Bleav in the Jags” podcast. To follow up our last episode where we looked at Dave Caldwell’s best draft picks, we wrapped up our two-part series by previewing his five worst in episode 19.
However, before getting into our main topic, Phil and I discussed the monumental march that took place off the field as the Jags protested for the Black Lives Matters movement Friday. We also discussed Shad Khan’s essay against racism and what we’d like to see from him going forward to help against the battle inequality.
All of that and more was tackled in our latest podcast!
It was another monumental day for the Jags off the field after Leonard Fournette organized another peaceful protest for Downtown Jax.
Tuesday marked another monumental day for the Jacksonville Jaguars off the field as running back Leonard Fournette organized a protest with teammates and key figures in the city, including mayor Lenny Curry and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Fournette informed the public of the process last week and eventually set the time for 10 a.m. ET, and like the protest his comrades had last Friday, things went fluidly.
Fournette’s protest comes as many athletes have stepped up to speak for the black community (and minorities in general) after the death of George Floyd, who was a victim of police brutality. In the process of being detained, Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin was seen in a disturbing video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes. Despite Floyd declaring that he couldn’t breathe several times, Chauvin continued to kneel on his neck and it resulted in his tragic death.
As previously mentioned, Fournette’s protest marked the second by a Jag representative. Friday, the organization gathered a group of about 300 that included players (present and former), coaches, front office personnel, and more for a march from TIAA Bank Field to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office down the road.
When they arrived at the police precinct, former Jags player-turned-police officer Ernest Wilford, running backs coach Terry Robiskie, and Chris Conley all shared powerful messages about racism and coming together. Conley’s message especially seemed to garner the attention of local officials as a nearby Confederate monument was removed before Fournette’s protest after Conley made mention of it Friday.
While Mayor @lennycurry has promised "policy initiatives & actions…to bring our city together & address racial inequality," it's unclear what that will mean. pic.twitter.com/ibYkCVMsQN
UPDATE: Mayor Curry says the rest of the city's Confederate monuments will be coming down too, though the timeline for their removal is unclear. https://t.co/Ap09weQVfs
The teammates who joined Fournette on Tuesday included linebacker Myles Jack, running back Ryquell Armstead, safety Ronnie Harrison, and receivers Keelan Cole and Conley, to name a few. It was one of many showings by NFL athletes which involved the players personally protesting with the public.
Ernest Wilford has been on the police force for six years and the racism issues he’s seen in the U.S. lately has deeply concerned him.
The United States’ issues with police brutality, social injustice, and racism have garnered the attention of the world and many athletes are speaking up to change that. Some in the law enforcement field are stepping up to help on the matter, too, as they believe some people within their field have often abused their power.
Nobody may agree with those sentiments more than former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver and tight end-turned local sheriff officer Ernest Wilford, who joined the team for their march Friday. Joined by his wife and son during the march, Wilford told WJXT4 that he wants to be the voice of change in terms of the issues America is seeing between the police and minorities.
“I was a Jaguar for seven years in the league and I’ve been a police officer for six years, but for 41 years I’ve been a black man,” Wilford said. “It’s very important I use my platform to let everyone know that black lives do matter.”
“The murder of George Floyd was unbearable and it hurts. I want to make sure that I show my solidarity and let everyone know that I hear the voices and I want change. In order for change to be made, I have to show my support, so I will be that voice.”
As many are aware, Wilford was drafted by the Jags out of Virginia Tech in the fourth-round (No. 120 overall) of the 2004 draft and played for Jack Del Rio all throughout his Jags tenure. He moved to Jacksonville as a result of being drafted after college and seemingly liked it enough to make it home and join the police force after his career.
Wilford continued by telling WJXT4 that the things he’s seen happen to minorities and encountered as an African American are concerning. He also expressed his concern for young minorities, too, as he’s the father of a 13-year-old himself.
“Yes. I mean, that could’ve been my son,” Wilford said when asked does he relate to situations like George Floyd’s and Ahmaud Arbery’s. “The stories I come across all too frequently and too often that I have to sit down and talk to my son about [are concerning]. I wouldn’t want that for anybody, so that’s why I’m here today, just to show my solidarity.”
Wilford is a former player who is in a unique situation being that he’s now a law enforcer and that’s why it’s good to see him step up to the plate and do his part. Maybe in the end he can be a key factor in shaping a better relationship between African Americans and the Jacksonville police force, which also would provide America with the example it needs at the moment.
