Members of the LSU football team led a march through campus Friday — one of just many demonstrations across the country after the Jacob Blake shooting.
Several players gathered outside of Tiger Stadium on Friday afternoon to help raise awareness.
The players walked from the stadium over to the university president’s office, where they were met by Interim President Tom Galligan.
Galligan took to Twitter with in support of the student-athletes.
“We support you, we stand with you against racism and inequality, and we know actions will always speak louder than words,” he wrote.
Thank you to our LSU football student-athletes for speaking up. We support you, we stand with you against racism and inequality, and we know actions will always speak louder than words. pic.twitter.com/L11T5p1TR8
— Tom Galligan (@LSUpresident) August 28, 2020
LSU Football players gathering to show their support for social justice. Player led march to bring attention to their plight. #LSU #SEC #oneteamoneheartbeat pic.twitter.com/vCFYpPI2z9
— Michael Cauble (@Cauble) August 28, 2020
Members of the LSU football team came to speak to LSU interim president Tom Galligan. The group included senior safety JaCoby Stevens, quarterback Myles Brennan, receiver Ja’Marr Chase and many more. pic.twitter.com/wKm0wMAf1P
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) August 28, 2020
One Team. One Heartbeat. #MoreThanAnAthlete pic.twitter.com/GiIy204a8d
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) August 28, 2020
The meeting with LSU officials and head coach Ed Orgeron lasted roughly an hour.
To players like linebacker Soni Fonua, some things are simply more important than football practice.
“We said (forget) practice today,” he said in an Instagram video. Fonua filmed as the players walked through campus. He held his right fist in the air. “That (stuff) is not important today.”
Other teams, including Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Kentucky, Boston College, South Florida and Oklahoma also organized marches and canceled practices over the last two days.