Former Denver Broncos’ great quarterback and current team executive John Elway delivered a thought-provoking statement on the current state of the country via social media Friday.
“I always thought that since I grew up in a locker room, I knew everything there was to know about understanding teammates from different backgrounds and walks of life,” Elway wrote in his post. “What I’ve realized is that I could not have been more wrong.”
The statement came days after the team’s coach, Vic Fangio, suggested he did not see racism or discrimination in the NFL and backtracked and apologized in the aftermath of his controversial take.
Fangio said he only meant to suggest the league was a meritocracy on the field and in the locker room and should have recognized the lack of minority head coaches, general managers, team presidents and owners in the country’s most popular sport.
“Listening to players and reading their social media, the strength they have shown and the experiences they have shared has been powerful. It has impacted me. I realize I have a long way to go, but I will keep listening and learning,” Elway continued “That is the only way to grow. I truly believe a lot of good will come from the many difficult conversations that are taking place around our team, league, and country.
“I am not going to stay on the sidelines, Everyone has a responsibility to help those who are hurting. I am joining with the players, coaches and our organization in speaking up against racism, police brutality and any injustice against the black community.”
