Many NFL players banded together to produce a video condemning racism and calling for the league to make a strong statement in support of its players in their fight to end a nationwide problem.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson and receiver DeAndre Hopkins, as well as former Cardinal Tyrann Mathieu all are part of the video.
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The question Mathieu poses to the league is direct — “how many times do we need to ask you to listen to your players?”
Hopkins asks, “what will it take,” and the question continues, wondering if it will take a player getting killed by police brutality.
Peterson asks, “What if I were George Floyd” and Hopkins declares, “I am George Floyd.” Peterson adds, “I am Walter Scott,” as other players say they are other victims of murder and violence.
These players, who include some of the biggest stars in the league — Patrick Mahomes, Odell Beckham, Ezekiel Elliott and others — asking the league to do more and to admit that it was wrong in how it reacted to players like Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem.
“We assert our right to peacefully protest,” they say.
The declare what they want the league to come out and say.
“This is what we, the players, would like to hear you state: We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people. We, the National Football League, admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter.”
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 268
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