Bryce Harper shares message condemning racial injustice

“I’ve been trying to come up with words for this post,” Harper opens the post. “Trying to write the right things and trying to get my mind and heart wrapped around this. I grew up on the East Side of Las Vegas around many different cultures knowing one thing — My parents taught me to love everyone equally, regardless of the color of their skin, where they came from, young or old. Our Heavenly Father made us this way, as unique individuals, so we would all come together and do everything we could to get back to him one day.

“To love one another, to build each other up, to root for one another, and to be ONE with each other. I will never know what it is like to be an African American man, woman, or child. The one thing I do know is I will always stand with them and for them. I will always be there when they need me. I will always have their backs, knowing they have always had mine. I will love my brothers and sisters and will teach my son to love all as well. To the Floyd family, and to all the other families that have experienced trauma, loss of life, inequality, racism, and hatred – I am so sorry for that. This world that we live in should have no room for it. We as Americans have to come together and stop this in all walks of life. I will listen, speak up, love, stand, and act for what I believe is right. I will never stop!! I love you all my brothers and sisters! We are ONE!”

Philadelphia is among the numerous U.S. cities that have been sites of protests in the wake of Floyd’s death. While many of the protests have been peaceful, the situation has been marred by confrontations between protesters and police in recent days, as is the case elsewhere throughout the country. Late Monday night, the National Guard was deployed in Philadelphia.

While the Philadelphia 76ers issued a statement in reaction to Floyd’s death, the Phillies appear to have not yet made any public comment as of Tuesday morning, nor have the Eagles. The MLS’s Union, however, released a statement on Monday. The Flyers followed suit on Tuesday.

That said, numerous players from Philadelphia’s major professional sports teams have personally weighed in on the ongoing situation and protests, on social media and otherwise.