Chris Ballard on racial injustice: ‘We cannot be silent’

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard held an impromptu conference call with the media on Thursday to give his personal message on the recent events taking shape in the country.

While the Colts and head coach Frank Reich have given their own statements on the racial issues hitting the country, Ballard wanted to make it clear where he stands.

Colts GM Chris Ballard is speaking out.

"I cannot sit here and remain silent. We cannot be silent every time our black community screams for help…"

"Black lives matter, and I don’t know why that’s so freaking hard for the white community to say."

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) June 4, 2020

In regards to the kneeling protests jumpstarted by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Ballard admits he didn’t listen to the true message behind the protests. The Colts had a number of players kneel during the anthem and while Ballard says he thought he was listening, he now believes his thoughts to be naive.

Ballard: “I didn’t listen in ’17 (when guys were kneeling). I didn’t listen to Darius Butler. I thought I heard it. I didn’t."

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) June 4, 2020

Chris Ballard asked about Kaep: "We didn't listen. I didn't listen in 2017. i love Darius Butler. He tried to explain it. I thought I heard it. I didn't. We didn't listen."

— jimayello (@jimayello) June 4, 2020

The Colts have spent the majority of the week not talking about football or the installs of the offensive and defensive scheme. Instead, they have been listening to their teammates share stories of racial injustice they’ve experienced in their lives.

Ballard says he's been naive, not realizing how bad the problem is, and over the last 10 days, the stories he's heard from the team have opened his eyes.

— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) June 4, 2020

The Colts have also reached out to the Players Coalition to see how they can help bring about a solution to the issues.

Colts dir. of player engagement David Thornton has already reached out to the Players Coalition, according to Ballard, looking at ways the team can actively participate in finding solutions.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) June 4, 2020