Cardinals’ Peterson, Hopkins included in video of players asking NFL to listen
Jun 4, 2020, 6:51 PM
#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/JkIyTfwgJ4
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) June 5, 2020
In a video that featured over 20 of the most prominent names in the National Football League, the players shared a joint message on their social medias of what they wanted from the NFL in response to the death of George Floyd and protests across the world against police brutality and racism.
It’s been 10 days since George Floyd has been brutally murdered. How many times do we need to ask you to listen to your players? What will it take? For one of us to be murdered by police brutality?
What if I was George Floyd?
I am George Floyd. I am Breonna Taylor. I am Ahmad Arbery. I am Eric Garner. I am Laquan McDonald. I am Tamir Rice. I am Trayvon Martin. I am Walter Scott. I am Michael Brown Jr. I am Samuel Dubose. I am Frank Smart. I am Philip White. I am Jordan Baker.
We will not be silenced. We assert our right to peacefully protest. It shouldn’t take this long to admit.
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 on silencing our players from peacefully protesting.
We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins are in the video, as well as former Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu, Super Bowl MVP and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and more.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released the league’s statement Saturday on the death of Floyd.
— NFL (@NFL) May 30, 2020
Like many statements made over the past week, the message lacked any mention of police brutality, how those black people died and them being black in the first place.
The league’s most recent statement, a three-tweet thread on Thursday, also did not include those details.
Peterson himself released his own statement on Sunday, demanding change He also pleaded for protests to continue non-violently.
“How many times will our leaders stand by and watch as our anger spills over into the streets to cause unnecessary havoc in our communities? Not for publicity, not for politics, not for personal interest. BUT FOR THE LIVES OF AMERICANS!???!!
“How can you expect us to come to any other conclusion than that we ARE NOT VALUED EQUALLY because of the color of our skin?? WE DEMAND CHANGE!”
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