The Bears joined in the sports world’s protest of Jacob Blake’s shooting Thursday, saying they would not practice as planned at 9:20 a.m.
A few coaches and players milled about practice fields before 9 a.m., but it quickly became clear players were not planning to practice. Reporters on hand for practice were told to leave the Halas Hall campus and await further clarity on the schedule.
Almost six hours later, the Bears issued a statement attributed to their players.
“In the wake of what has taken place in our backyard of Kenosha over the last couple of days, we as a team have a lot on our mind today,” they said. “We decided to pause our football activities to voice to each other, our coaches and our staff where we stand on the real issues around race and police brutality in our country.
“We had a productive discussion, but we all agreed that talks and discussions are simply not enough anymore and we need action. We are putting in plans to take action in our communities and together we believe we can make a real difference. We need action not only today, but in the days to come.”
On Twitter, individual players shared sentiments of togetherness.
“Together we are inseparable,” running back Tarik Cohen wrote.
“Alone we are nothing,” running back David Montgomery said, “Together we are everything !!!!!”
“I love the unity we have as a team, staff and organization,” safety Eddie Jackson wrote.
I love the unity we have as a team, staff and organization
— Eddie Jackson (@BoJack39) August 27, 2020
Other NFL teams that canceled or postponed practices Thursday include the Broncos, Chargers, Colts, Jets, Packers, Cardinals, Titans, Broncos and Washington.
On Wednesday night, the NBA postponed all playoff games after teams refused to play in the wake of the shooting of Blake, an unarmed black man, in the back by Kenosha, Wisconsin, police. WNBA teams postponed their games, too.
Three Major League Baseball games and five MLS games were also called. Tennis player Naomi Osaka said she wouldn’t play in the Western & Southern Open semifinal Thursday.
Alone we are nothing, Together we are everything !!!!!
— David Montgomery (@MontgomerDavid) August 27, 2020
The Bears huddled up after Tuesday’s practice to discuss Blake’s shooting.
“Being so close to where we are at right now,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said then, “we’re thinking about him and his family and want nothing but the best for him.”
Left tackle Charles Leno stumped for better police training.
“I don’t know how many hours those guys do,” he said. “But I know we train a lot on the football field. I think they need a little bit more because they’re dealing with lives and they’re handling lives. And every single life is precious.”
Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan Tweeted his frustration Wednesday night.
“It’s like every other day, man,’ he wrote. “I’m so sick of the senseless killings of [unarmed] Black Americans. To this day all we want is to be treated equal. #JusticeForJacobBlake”
The Bears have a walk-through scheduled for Friday and a scrimmage at Soldier Field on Saturday.
