The killing of unarmed black man George Floyd in police custody Monday and the handling of that by local officials (Derek Chauvin, the police officer, who knelt on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes, was only charged with third-degree murder Friday) has led to outrage from everyone from police chiefs to athletes to entertainers to sports media figures, and there are now growing numbers of college football coaches speaking out about it. Here are a few of the notable ones, starting with a thread from Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason (pictured above):
I’m truly saddened by the state of affairs that caused the death of George Floyd. I’m also aware of the growing tension in cities across the country regarding the issue.
— Derek Mason (@CoachDerekMason) May 30, 2020
When tragedies such as this occur, people are quick to take a side, but in reality there is truly only one truth here – a gentleman lost his life and that loss could have been prevented.
— Derek Mason (@CoachDerekMason) May 30, 2020
Only to find that following the rules can sometimes not be enough to keep yourself alive. It’s a confusing dilemma to black men, which breeds anger and mistrust because the rules to this game keep changing.
— Derek Mason (@CoachDerekMason) May 30, 2020
Empathy takes no talent, just the free will act of compassion.
You may not be capable of walking in someone else’s shoes, so don’t. Listen to the issue and walk alongside them to get it right.
— Derek Mason (@CoachDerekMason) May 30, 2020
If anything is truly going to change, then we all must stand together peacefully to make sure that we stop trying to say who is at fault and find a way to get it right.
The cost of getting it wrong has become increasingly too expensive.
— Derek Mason (@CoachDerekMason) May 30, 2020
I’m calling on every level of my profession to model leadership in this time of crisis🙏🏾 #RTI #ANCHORDOWN
— Derek Mason (@CoachDerekMason) May 30, 2020
And there are plenty of other coaches also offering their thoughts here. Miami’s Manny Diaz referenced a conversation with Coral Gables police chief Ed Hudak, and said he stood with Hudak in condemning Floyd’s death:
Thanks to @CoralGablesPD Chief @ehudakjr for speaking to our team today about ACCOUNTABILITY & JUSTICE. We stand together in the condemnation of the actions of the officers that led to the death of George Floyd while under custody. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/pZejdbnzqn— Manny Diaz (@Coach_MannyDiaz) May 29, 2020
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, whose team has been in the news thanks to the university’s decision to “limit ties” with the Minneapolis police department (including no longer contracting them for football games), also offered a statement here:
— P.J. Fleck (@Coach_Fleck) May 30, 2020
As did Texas head coach Tom Herman:
— Coach Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) May 30, 2020
Penn State head coach James Franklin offered thoughts on the wider situation, including the deaths of Ahmaud Aubery (shot by white civilians in February) and Breonna Taylor (shot by Louisville police earlier this month):
#WeAre pic.twitter.com/u5EFJuOifc
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) May 30, 2020
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh appeared on The Rich Eisen Show, and said “I’m really very upset about the George Floyd death. That’s got me preoccupied today. Horrendous. I’m just watching right now and looking forward to there being an investigation and waiting for charges. That’s completely outrageous.”
Indiana head coach Tom Allen offered support for Floyd’s family:
My heart is broken by what is going on in our country. Racial injustice is wrong and it MUST be addressed!! I Believe we are to LOVE EACH OTHER! No matter one’s skin color. Love is a choice. Our prayers are with George Floyd’s family. John 15:12 #LEO
— Coach Tom Allen (@CoachAllenPSU) May 29, 2020
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker offered a long statement:
https://twitter.com/Coach_mtucker/status/1266533637324849153
Washington head coach Jimmy Lake also called for change:
https://twitter.com/CoachLakeUDUB/status/1266803325816565760
Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald called for everyone to speak out:
Silence at a time like this is unacceptable, and complicit, especially from those who are privileged. Racism cannot be ignored. We can be better. We MUST be better.
We ALL have a responsibility if we’re going to fight systems of oppression.
Listen, love, respect, act. 💜
— Pat Fitzgerald (@coachfitz51) May 29, 2020
And Maryland’s Mike Locksley said this should never be normalized:
— Michael Locksley (@CoachLocks) May 30, 2020
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops spoke out about injustice:
As so many of us have seen and felt, I deeply hurt for the injustice we have in our country. We must find a way to treat each other the way we want to be treated, with unity and respect. As a nation, we must overcome it. And we must begin now. 🙏
— Mark Stoops (@UKCoachStoops) May 30, 2020
Those are just a few of the many coaches’ comments out there about this. More can be seen in this collection by Zach Barnett at FootballScoop.
