The stream of athletes and coaches, black and white, reacting to the police killing Monday of George Floyd and racial injustice in the U.S. continued to flow Saturday. Two ideas converged: Work together to fight racism and, above all, do not stay silent any longer.
Mostly missing were mentions of the nationwide demonstrating, rioting and looting that has occurred in the days after Floyd's death at the knee of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The focus instead was on getting all races to invest in eliminating race-based hate.
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Below is a selection of the more insightful and forceful quotes pulled from social media platforms as the anger, frustration and sadness over Floyd's death remains raw.
Tom Izzo, Michigan State men's basketball coach
"Over the last few months we've often heard 'we're all in this together.' That's never been more true than it is now. If we are going to fight racism, it's a burden we all share, regardless of the color of our skin. We are facing a giant problem, and the solutions aren't easy — but that can't stop us from trying."
(Statement posted on Michigan State Basketball's Twitter feed)
Dwane Casey, Pistons coach
"We have to change the way we see and hear each other. We have to work together to find solutions to make the justice system just. Black, white and brown people have to work together to find new answers. The only way we can stop the systemic problems that people of color have faced all our lives is through honesty and transparency. We have to understand why people are at their limit at this moment. It takes empathy, in its truest form. It takes a culture shift, it takes action."
(Statement to USA Today Sports)
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Byron Buxton, Twins outfielder
"It’s unbearable to even think about what’s happening in our city and throughout the country, but things have to CHANGE. African Americans have been slaughtered left and right for nothing more than the color of our skin. That is reality and it has been ignored far too long. DEMAND PROGRESS - DEMAND JUSTICE for George Floyd."
(Posted on his Instagram feed)
Marcus Stroman, Mets pitcher
"Racism is engrained in our society/culture and the world seems incapable of change. To change the world we must begin with ourselves. Truly look in the mirror and identify if you’re part of the problem or the solution. Your true colors will always be revealed!
Asher Wojciechowski, Orioles pitcher
"I will listen to your experiences, I will speak when I witness injustice, I will amplify the messages of the black community so your thoughts and ideas are heard in your own voice. I will educate myself. I am with you. I am your ally."
Bob Huggins, West Virginia men's basketball coach
"No words or speech can adequately explain the pain the Floyd family and others in the country are currently feeling. I will do my part for my family, team and as an American to no longer stand for remaining quiet!
Matt Painter, Purdue men's basketball coach
"I will never know what it's like to move through this world as a black person in America, and I can't pretend to know what the answers are. What I do know is that I want to be part of the solution, and I believe that the adversity and prejudice that black people in America face is something we must all address and seek to remedy — together."
Will Muschamp, South Carolina football coach
Easy to do what is right. #CoachesStandforJustice pic.twitter.com/D1Rt06yJmq
— Will Muschamp (@CoachWMuschamp) May 30, 2020
Logan Couture, Sharks forward
"I've had the opportunity to play with some incredible teammates. Black, white, all colors. Getting to listen to them talk about things they have gone through in hockey/life is eye opening. As a society and as hockey players we are only scraping the surface in fixing what desperately needs fixing."
(Posted on his Twitter feed in reaction to comments by teammate Evander Kane, who is black)
Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets forward
"We need to stand with the black community and fundamentally change how the leadership in this country has dealt with racism. I'm sorry it has taken this long, but I'm hopeful that we can change this NOW."
(Posted on his Twitter feed; emphasis Wheeler's. Wheeler is a Minnesota native.)
Preston Wilson, ex-MLB player
"It’s the first time I have ever seen it happen on this scale. The younger generation is saying it’s time for change. Few if any age 35 and up have weighed in[;] maybe they will follow the lead of those like (Joe Burrow) and (Trevor Lawrence) who are speaking up."
(Reply posted on his Twitter feed)
Burrow, the first overall selection in this year's NFL Draft, and Lawrence, the likely first selection in next year's draft, posted tweets Friday saying that white people, and in particular white athletes like themselves, need to bring their influence to bear on the situation. Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and ESPN host Jalen Rose have stood out in making similar appeals.
SN's Mike DeCourcy contributed to this report.
