American soccer star Weston McKennie made sure the name George Floyd was on full display for the world to see.
The U.S. men's national teamer from Texas who plays his club soccer for FC Schalke 04 in Germany's Bundesliga took the field for Saturday's game against Werder Bremen wearing a "Justice for George" armband.
"To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on to long feels good!!!" McKennie, the 21-year-old midfielder, posted on Twitter after his team's 1-0 defeat.
"We have to stand up for what we believe in and I believe that it is time that we are heard!" #justiceforgeorgefloyd #saynotoracism
McKennie's team shared a picture of the rising star from Saturday's game on its official U.S. Twitter account with the hashtag #JusticeForGeorge.
Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is facing third-degree murder and manslaughter charges after killing George Floyd by keeping his knee on the unarmed victim's neck for more than eight minutes despite Floyd telling the cop, "I can't breathe." Chauvin was charged four days later.
Floyd's death _ or murder as Warriors coach Steve Kerr called it _ on Monday (captured on video) is just the latest heartbreaking example of the police brutality against minorities that led to then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's peaceful-protest movement during the 2016 season, which effectively ended his career in the NFL.
Former NBA player Stephen Jackson _ a friend of Floyd's from their days growing up in Texas _ held a press conference in Minneapolis on Friday.
"You can't tell me when that officer had his knee on my brother's neck, taking his life away, with his hand in his pocket, that that smirk on his face didn't say, 'I'm protected,' " Jackson said. "I'm gonna use everything I have to get a conviction, to get all these (expletive) in jail, excuse my French, I'm angry, but I'm a proud Black man."
Outrage over the killing of Floyd has sparked violent protests around the country.
