Udonis Haslem: Officers who killed George Floyd 'were terrible people before they put that badge on'

Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem is torn regarding nationwide protests in response to the death of George Floyd. 

Haslem, who has multiple family members working for the Miami Police Department, said in a news conference Sunday that many police officers strive to do good despite the criticism they've received over the last week. He added that he's confused and frustrated, but also provided some perspective on the officers who killed Floyd.

"They were terrible people before they put that badge on, man. For you to stand there and watch that, it's got nothing to do with your badge, it's got nothing to do with your color, it has nothing to do with your race; it's something inside you that's messed up," Haslem said, according to ESPN. "It's your soul that ain't right."

Floyd, an African American man, died Monday after being restrained by police for alleged forgery. An officer put pressure on Floyd's neck with his knee as Floyd laid on the ground fighting for his life. A witness's video surfaced showing Floyd telling the officer he couldn't breathe, but the cop didn't move.

He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The officer who knelt on Floyd's neck, Derek Chauvin, was fired by the Minneapolis Police Department Tuesday, arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Haslem isn't the only NBA player to take a stand amid the protests sweeping the nation. Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown drove 15 hours from Boston to Atlanta to lead a peaceful protest alongside Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon. Brown's teammates Enes Kanter, Vincent Poirier and Marcus Smart spoke at the protests in Boston and former NBA player Royce White led a peaceful protest down the Minneapolis interstate.