It's one thing to make a statement.
It's quite another to make a statement and have an action plan.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ended days of silence on the killing of George Floyd, an African American man, by a white Minneapolis police officer as protests and uprisings continue in cities across the country with a powerful personal four-page statement on his Instagram account as well as a $1 million pledge to improve police training and address systemic racism.
Derek Chauvin and three other police officers who were part of the May 25 incident were immediately fired. Chauvin has been since been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
On Monday afternoon, the county's medical examiner ruled that Floyd's death was a homicide as result of being restrained.
A decision to arrest and charge the other three officers was expected to be announced on Wednesday.
In the week since Floyd's killing, a tidal wave of outrage from public figures and private citizens has taken to the streets and social media to protest racism and police brutality against people of color as well as a call for unity and understanding.
Those included several NFL quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Carson Wentz, Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Joe Burrow in addition to a number of Cowboys players like DeMarcus Lawrence, Jourdan Lewis, Neville Gallimore and backup quarterback Andy Dalton.
Prescott's voice was conspicuous by its absence.
But a delay is not a denial.
And the Cowboys quarterback who is involved in intense negotiations with the front office on a long-term contract extension while dealing with the recent death of his brother came through with a poignant response on the issue from the perspective of his mixed race heritage.
His dad is black, but he was raised by his white mother before she died of cancer when he was in college at Mississippi State.
"As a Black Multiracial American, I am disgusted and unsettled!," Prescott began a powerful statement. "As our communities take action, protesting and fighting for the justice of George Floyd and Every Black Life, I am with you. I have viewed these protests and riots in our streets as a form of strength and an attempt to show we as Black people have rights that aren't being perceived equally as our counterparts."
Prescott went on to point out that he doesn't not condone the looting and violence that have emerged along with the peaceful protests.
He said he has personally struggled during the coronavirus pandemic and the NFL shutdown to find a bigger purpose without the game of football and be a part of something that fixed the pandemic.
But during that time, on April 24, he lost his brother, Jace, his idol.
"He and I shared the same mission: Find a bigger purpose!," Prescott added. "As I process the passing of my brother, I have come to realize we are not given a voice to pronounce how much we matter."
"Black Lives Matter."
Prescott then addressed the men and women who police our streets.
"You need to hold yourself accountable! Each of you are as guilty as the men who stood beside Derek Chauvin if you do not stand up against systemic racism plaguing our police forces nationwide. TAKE ACTION!
"As long as cops continue to profile blacks as a threat, cops will continue to be perceived as untrustworthy.
"You have to CHANGE YOURSELF before you can ask any else to change!"
Prescott then pledged to lead by example.
He said he will stand to make a change and help the communities trust one another.
"I will take action and help," Prescott said. "I will act alongside all of you. We will clean our streets and our communities, not only of the looting and the violence but most importantly, the racism, racial-profiling, and hate!"
Prescott put money behind his action plan by pledging $1 million to improve police training and address systemic racism through education and advocacy.
