Tag: police brutality

Former Michigan State star Draymond Green signs as a contributor with CNN

Green has been making media appearances while off from basketball since mid-March.

Draymond Green is getting a jump start on his media career.

Green, whose Golden State Warriors haven’t played since the NBA shut down in mid-March and who weren’t a part of the restart, has been making media appearances during his off time, including as an analyst with the NBA on TNT studio show.

Now it appears he will be leaning a bit more into the news and political world, signing on with CNN as a contributor.

CNN and TNT are both owned by Turner Broadcasting Systems, so the marriage of Green appearing on networks under the same company umbrella jives. Green has been outspoken on subjects such as racism, police brutality, and social injustice and I’m sure will be right at home talking on CNN about where those issues intersect with sports.

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Baltimore Ravens make official statement with specific demands for social justice

The Baltimore Ravens have made one of the most specific statements of any sports team regarding the need for social justice.

In the wake of the George Floyd police killing and the police shooting of Jacob Blake, players teams are making all kinds of statements in every sport — from refusing to play games, to opting out of practices and scrimmages, to making specific statements on police brutality. But there have been few statements more specific than the one the Baltimore Ravens released on Thursday afternoon.

Per the team’s official website:

With yet another example of racial discrimination with the shooting of Jacob Blake, and the unlawful abuse of peaceful protesters, we MUST unify as a society. It is imperative that all people – regardless of race, religion, creed or belief – come together to say, ‘Enough is enough!’

This is bigger than sports. Racism is embedded in the fabric of our nation’s foundation and is a blemish on our country’s history. If we are to change course and make our world a better place, we must face this problem head-on and act now to enact positive change.

It is time to accept accountability and acknowledge the ramifications of slavery and racial injustice.

The Ravens then made the following demands for social justice, saying that “Though we cannot right all the wrongs of our country’s history, we can…”

  • Arrest and charge the police officers responsible for Breonna Taylor’s killing and the shooting of Jacob Blake.
  • Demand that Senator Mitch McConnell bring the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 to the Senate floor for vote.
  • End qualified immunity; require body cameras; ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants; hold police accountable in court; establish a framework to prohibit racial profiling at federal, state, and local levels
  • Support state- and federally-mandated CALEA Accreditation and national standards of care in policing.
  • Encourage everyone to engage in the political process by registering to vote on both the local and national level. (www.risetovote.turbovote.org.)
  • Demand prison sentencing reform that is fair and equitable.
  • Encourage every citizen to act with respect and compliance when engaging with the police. If you feel there has been an abuse of power, we encourage you to contact your police department’s internal affairs unit. (For Baltimore City, dial 410-396-2300.)

“We will use our platform to drive change now – not just for our generation, but for the generations that follow, for our sons and daughters and for their children,” the statement concluded.

Owner Steve Bisciotti and the team have donated $1 million to 28 different social justice programs in Baltimore, per the team’s official website. 

“We have a powerful platform – and a responsibility – to help eliminate injustices that are prevalent in our communities. For far too long, people of color have been underserved by a system that should protect, rather than harm,” Biscoitti said in an August 27 statement. “Our entire organization, including players past and present, is fully committed to creating social justice reform. We will continue to seek out opportunities that support, encourage and defend those who are most in need.”

Giants RB Saquon Barkley speaks about police tasing his father in 2017

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley spoke on Thursday about a police brutality incident in 2018 that hit close to home.

In April, 2018, Alibay Barkley, the father of New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, settled a discrimination lawsuit against the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania and the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority. Barkley received $45,000 after filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the two entities, based on a dispute over a bus pass.

From Mcall.com:

Barkley, who is black, claimed his race was a factor when a security guard called police after Barkley refused to swipe his all-day pass a second time when a driver questioned whether he had paid his fare.

The suit alleged the bus driver and security guard didn’t question other passengers and that the security guard made disparaging remarks about Barkley’s hygiene before calling police.

Barkley was in a seat dedicated to civil rights icon Rosa Parks when Allentown police officers forcibly removed him from the bus, the suit claims. Parks inspired the Montgomery bus boycott, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement when she was removed from a bus for refusing to give up her seat to a white man in 1955.

In August, 2017, Alibay Barkley purchased an all-day pass for $4 and took several buses on his way to the hospital. After his hospital visit, Barkley boarded another bus, which had a layover at the Allentown Transportation Center. Per the lawsuit, when the driver returned, Barkley returned to his seat, when the driver asked him if he had a ticket. Barkley responded that he had already scanned his ticket on that bus. The driver summoned a security officer who allegedly told Barkley, “God only knows if you showered last night.”

Then, two Allentown police officers, Zachary Wittman and Robert Busch, boarded the bus and told Barkley to re-swipe his pass. When he refused, Wittman and Busch were accused of using excessive force, including tasing Barkley several times. The lawsuit claimed that the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority failed to preserve surveillance video that would have shown Barkley buying and using his bus pass.

On Thursday, Barkley spoke with the media about what happened to his father, and how it’s informed his feelings about police brutality as it’s become the primary topic around the sports world.

“My father was kind of just mishandled by police officers,” Barkley said. “It was a situation when I was in college. I remember that phone call that I got from my parents, well from my mom, that my dad was basically mishandled and mistreated. At the time, they thought my dad was wrong, but they kind of worked through it and found out that my dad was right, which obviously, I knew. But in that moment when I got that phone call, I’ll never forget it. I was walking to the Lasch Building at Penn State and my mom called me. My mom was really worried and concerned. My dad had a heart condition and got tased in the heart. I remember how I felt in that moment. It hurt me. It hurt me. That’s why every single day, I try to go out, work, try to push myself and try to go out there and show my work ethic, show my talent, and just try to be an inspiration for others. Hopefully, I can continue to do that throughout my play.”

Barkley was also asked about this Twitter video (Warning: Graphic images) that he re-tweeted on Wednesday.

“Yeah, it’s just sad,” he said. “You look at it like what if that was my brother? I know my father went through a similar situation when I was in college. In that little situation right there, you can lose someone that you really care about. I think when you look at it, you can’t look at it as, ‘Oh, it’s Jacob Blake.’ Obviously, I know he didn’t pass away. But you can’t look at it like that. You have to put yourself, what if I was in that situation? What if it was your brother? What if it was your cousin? What if it was [Sterling] Shepard? What if it was Golden [Tate]? All those guys. That’s kind of the way I look at it. Then how it makes me think and makes me feel,

“I understand that God put me in a position to be able to have a platform and to be able to use my voice. I’ve been big on knowing my history, especially with the athletes and the Bill Russells of the world, Colin Kaepernicks of the world. How they were able to handle those situations using their voice. It creates a conversation that you have to have yourself. What can you do? What can you do? That’s just the start. You have to start those conversations, and then take action. Find ways you can do, and that’s what we’re trying to do with our team. We can continue to find the right things to do and we can continue to do it.”

Barkley also spoke about the decisions of players from the NBA, WNBA, and MLB to postpone games due to raw feelings over the specter of continued police brutality, especially the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha, Wisconsin police last Sunday. Several NFL teams have canceled their practices and scrimmages this week so that the focus can be on players and coaches speaking out.

“First, my thoughts and prayers go to Jacob Blake’s family. On the video, words really can’t describe how you feel. It makes you sick, especially being a Black man. I know how my parents raised me. Just when you see those situations happening and continuing to happen, like I said, words really can’t describe it. But going on with what the NBA did, I definitely commend them for doing that. The WNBA, the ladies, did it too. I want to commend them for standing up, using their platform and using their voice. But for us to say, the Giants and the NFL, that’s the stuff that’s part of our discussions going on. We’ve been given an opportunity for our leadership group and to be able to talk to the team and try to figure out things we can do to try to help.”

On Wednesday, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that “anything is possible” when it comes to NFL players deciding to opt out of regular-season games for these reasons.

Ron Rivera to stand during National Anthem, kneel in protest during coin toss this season

Rivera said that he would not be kneeling during the National Anthem, but his protest against police brutality would come during coin toss.

In a summer where social justice and a desire for players to use their platforms for good has come to the forefront, many people across the sporting world are working to figure out ways to play their part in spreading the message that they do not support the police brutality that has been prevalent in our nation for decades.

Washington Football head coach Ron Rivera is among the many looking to use his voice, and he has recently come to a decision on how he is going to best protest in his own way. While he says that kneeling for the National Anthem is something that he will not do, as he has a strong military background, he supports anyone’s decision to protest in such a manner. He will do so in his own way.

“I’m going to put the initials JL for John Lewis [on my hat],” Rivera told WRC on Monday. “That way, when people ask me why, I can say because he was an advocate for voter rights.”

Aside from the letters on his hat, Rivera said that he would be kneeling for the coin toss before games, but standing for the anthem.

“I don’t want the message to be contorted when it comes to, ‘Oh, well, you kneeled during the anthem,’ ” Rivera said. “I’m going to make sure that my message that I have will be during the coin toss. For anybody that disagrees with me, well, I’m sorry, but it’s my right.”

There are assuredly going to be dozens of NFL players kneeling during the anthem once the season gets underway, and many are going to be standing alongside them. Through it all, it’s important to remember that these players and people are protesting for their right to safety and peace of mind, not against any flag or anthem.

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NFL players, coaches speak out about police shooting of Jacob Blake

Multiple NFL players have spoken out about the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

When George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25, it was a tragedy that could have easily been avoided. It was also a tripwire to a nationwide increase in protests and awareness of police brutality and racial inequity that has been shown throughout the NFL, as well. No longer did the league set its parameters at banning pre-game protests and blacklisting players who sent out messages that weren’t NFL-approved — now, the league seemed to understand that the tide was so formidable, even the league couldn’t control it.

So on Sunday, when Jacob Blake, another black man, was shot multiple times in the back by Kenosha, Wisconsin police while his children watched from his car, the reaction from the NFL world was swift.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara called the shooting “attempted murder,” (at the time of this article’s publication, Blake is reported to have survived) and included a link to the video of the shooting, which we will warn you is not for the faint of heart.

Receiver Michael Thomas, Kamara’s teammate, had this simple message.

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan was right there with his teammates.

This from Chiefs defensive back Tyrann Mathieu:

And this from Aaron Rodgers, who has a bit of a knowledge background based on his years in the state of Wisconsin:

And Matt LaFleur, Rodgers’ head coach, had a meeting with his team’s leadership council to talk about the shooting.

Texans receiver Kenny Stills, who has been socially and politically active throughout his NFL career, was emotional and thoughtful when asked about it.

Per the Kenosha News, Blake is in serious condition at a Milwaukee area hospital. From the report:

At least a half dozen witnesses said that the man had tried to break up a fight between the two women outside a home at 2805 40th St. and that police had attempted to use a Taser on the man prior to the shooting. Then, they heard at least seven gunshots ring out.

Witnesses said he was unarmed and shot in the back.

A video that has since gone viral on social media shows the man walking away from officers and going around the vehicle to get inside. While the man is entering the vehicle the video shows an officer firing a gun at the man inside the vehicle. A woman in the video is screaming as he is being shot.

It was not immediately known whether the man had a weapon.

Per multiple reports, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.

Russell Wilson congratulates Michael Bennett on career retirement

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson congratulated defensive end Michael Bennett on his retirement to a lengthy and stellar career.

Defensive end Michael Bennett made the decision to retire from the NFL and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson congratulated him on his career on Twitter.

Bennett compiled five seasons in the Emerald City and was a significant factor in the Seahawks winning Super Bowl XLVIII after he arrived in 2013 via free agency with fellow defensive end Cliff Avril. He compiled 39 sacks and 195 combined tackles (151 solo) in 75 games and 62 starts during his tenure and was one of the most ruthless players on the defensive line.

Bennett was also an outspoken advocate for racial equality during his career. He joined other NFL players in peaceful protests in the form of kneeling while the United States national anthem played before every game and spoke out against police brutality whenever a high-profile case of it surfaced. He was ultimately traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2018 offseason, but he capped off a solid legacy in Seattle and will certainly be remembered as an integral part of the Seahawks’ elite defense in 2013 and 2014.

The retired 34-year-old defensive end will no longer see the field, but Michael Bennett made marks with his play and advocacy, and the memories will linger on.

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NFL likely to allow helmet decals honoring victims of police brutality

The NFL is likely to all players to wear helmet decals honoring victims of police brutality.

As the world inches towards change, the NFL is also making incremental steps towards listening to the demands of its players.

As first reported by Front Office Sports and later confirmed by CBS Sports, the players will likely be invited to wear helmet decals with the names or initials of police violence victims and those impacted by systematic racism.

Last month, several prominent NFL players, including the Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott, released a video as a message to the league to take the issue of systematic racism seriously.

“On behalf of the National Football League, this is what we, the players, would like to hear you state: “We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people,” they said. “We, the National Football League, admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter.”

The NFL responded by committing to donating $250 million over a 10-year period, the equivalent of one minimum-salary player contract per team, to combat systematic racism and the battle against injustices faced by African Americans.

Now, the league has taken it a step further.

In addition to playing the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” prior to the Star-Spangled Banner at every Week 1 game, the NFL also recognized Juneteenth as a holiday and pledged to reach out to players who spoke on the issue of racial inequality.

It appears that the player’s voices are being taken seriously, which is all they wanted in the first place.

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The Philadelphia Union surprised everyone with amazing jerseys honoring Black lives lost to police brutality

This is powerful.

As sports leagues across the country have begun to return, they’ve also had to find ways to reconcile with the massive civil uprising happening in the country sparked by the death of George Floyd.

Some leagues are allowing their players to be part of that moment. The WNBA’s players will wear warm-up shirts that say “Black Lives Matter” and “Say her name” on them. The NBA’s players are wearing hand-picked “social justice” messages on the back of their jerseys.

But it’ll be hard to top what the Philadelphia Union did.

In their return tournament, the MLS is allowing teams to decide what they will allow their players to do with their jerseys. The Union took that and ran with it.

They put names of Black people killed by police on the back of each player’s jersey. The best part? No one knew about it. They didn’t say a word. They just did it.

The broadcast team was absolutely floored.

On top of that, the team created custom captain armband with the names on them as well.

That’s powerful. They’re making people to say these names. It’s a message they won’t allow viewers to forget.

Their jerseys actually say something. It’s not some half-baked message with something as simple as “equality” on it. It’s very specific and speaks directly to this moment.

Good on the Union for making such a powerful move in this moment. Good on the MLS for letting them rock with it.

Matt Ryan shares his thoughts on Rayshard Brooks

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has tried to affect change in the city of Atlanta by starting a fund aimed at advancing the lives of the Black community

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has tried to affect change in the city of Atlanta by starting a fund aimed at advancing the lives of the Black community. After another man, Rayshard Brooks, died unnecessarily at the hands of the police, Ryan has again spoken out.

In a Twitter post shared on Monday, Ryan condemned police brutality and systemic racism:

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Several Jets sign Players Coalition petition urging Congress to end qualified immunity for police

Jets players joined more than 1,400 other athletes urging Congress to pass a bill that would help in the fight against police brutality.

Hundreds of athletes across the NFL, NBA and MLB joined forces Wednesday to sign and send a Players Coalition letter asking Congress to pass the Ending Qualified Immunity Act, a bill that would fight against police brutality. 

Among the more than 1,400 signatures from players, coaches and front office members were a couple of current and former Jets. Cornerback Pierre Desir, wide receiver Breshad Perriman and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams signed the petition, as did at least 37 others with Jets ties, according to ESPN. That included Demario Davis, Kelvin Beachum, Josh McCown and Ty Montgomery.

Congressional representatives Justin Amash (L-MI) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) introduced the bill after George Floyd and Breonna Taylor were killed by police. The act would eliminate qualified immunity, which protects members of law enforcement and government officials from Americans who try to sue them when they believe their constitutional rights have been violated.

The Players Coalition, an independent organization that works with sports figures to improve social and racial justice, urged Congress in its letter to make necessary changes to improve the safety of American citizens. 

“We are tired of conversations around police accountability that go nowhere, and we have engaged in too many ‘listening sessions,’ where we discuss whether there is a problem of police violence in this country,” the Players Coalition wrote. “There is a problem. The world witnessed it when Officer [Derek] Chauvin murdered George Floyd, and the world is watching it now, as officers deploy enormous force on peaceful protestors like those who were standing outside of the White House last week.”

This is the second time the Players Coalition, founded by Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins and former NFL wide receiver Anquan Boldin in 2017, reached out to government officials in the past month. On May 8, the coalition asked U.S. Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray to investigate the death Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed in February while he was out for a run in Georgia.

The cross-sport collaboration by the coalition wants to see real improvements when it comes to stopping police brutality, and it starts with the Ending Qualified Immunity Act.

“It is time for Congress to eliminate qualified immunity and it can do so by passing the Amash-Pressley Bill,” the coalition continued in the letter. “When police officers kill an unarmed man, when they beat a woman, or when they shoot a child, the people of this country must have a way to hold them accountable in a court of law.

“The time for debate about the unchecked authority of the police is over; it is now time for change.”