NFL players reveal what they want to hear from league regarding racism, oppression
In the week following George Floyd's death, many NFL players have began to speak out against systemic racism and police brutality in various ways. On Thursday night, many prominent players around the league demanded the NFL to release a revised statement on the issue.
Odell Beckham Jr., Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson were among the players to tweet a 71-second video calling for the NFL to admit it's wrongdoing in silencing players from peaceful protesting, among other things.
"We will not be silenced. We assert our right to peacefully protest. It shouldn’t take this long to admit," the players said in the video. "So, 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. We, the National Football League, admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter.’”
The video comes after Floyd, an African American man, died last week after he was violently apprehended by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
The 46-year-old was pinned to the ground by Chauvin, who then proceeded to kneel on his neck and prevent him from breathing. Floyd pleaded for his life and even told Chauvin he couldn't breathe, but Chauvin refused to move off his neck.
Floyd was later pronounced dead at the hospital, and Chauvin was arrested Friday on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. On June 3, Chauvin's charge was upgraded to second-degree unintentional murder, and three other now-former officers who were on the scene are facing charges.
Other athletes to speak out against racism include Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown who led a peaceful protest in Atlanta; NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who wrote an emotional op-ed for the Los Angeles Times; and Aaron Rodgers, who called out Drew Brees for his comments surrounding the national anthem and flag of the United States.
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