NFL Players Association executive directory DeMaurice Smith." data-reactid="16">A comment from Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians about the protests against Jacob Blake’s murder led to an exchange with NFL Players Association executive directory DeMaurice Smith.
The Arians told reporters after training on Thursday that they hosted a team reunion where they challenged players to take action beyond protest over issues social such as racial inequality. One quote in particular from the Arians would later make its way in many ways:
“Protesting doesn’t do shit in my opinion. I have seen him since 1968. “
The comment was part of a larger quote in which he said, “I don’t know protest is action” and begged players to “take action, find a cause and support it financially or do something to change the situation. “
DeMaurice Smith opposes Bruce Arians over protests
The headlines featuring Arian’s comment quickly caught the attention of Smith, who quoted-tweeted such a story and said the coach was “woefully uninformed about the history of the protest at times. in sport and in America ”. He included photos of civil rights hero John Lewis to make his point.
When asked about the answer on Friday, the Arians doubled down and hinted that his own history on social issues was longer than Smith’s.
From Eduardo A. Encina and Frank Pastor of the Tampa Bay Times:
Asked after Bucs’ Friday morning scrum about Smith’s tweet, Arians replied, “Yes, I have a story, and it could be a bit longer than his.”
As the Times recounts, this story includes Arians being the first white Virginia Tech player to share with a black teammate when he was a quarterback in school.
NFL’s best coach when it comes to diversity on his staff. All three of his coordinators — offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong — are Black (a first in NFL history), as is his assistant head coach Harold Goodwin. He was also the first to hire two female assistant coaches in defensive line assistant Lori Locust and assistant strength and conditioning coach Maral Javadifar." data-reactid="34">Arians has also been arguably the best coach in the NFL when it comes to the diversity of his staff. Its three coordinators – offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong – are black (a first in NFL history), as is his assistant head coach Harold Goodwin. He was also the first to hire two female assistant coaches in defensive line assistant Lori Locust and assistant strength and conditioning coach Maral Javadifar.
Bruce Arians has never shied away from sharing his thoughts on social justice issues. (AP Photo / Michael Conroy)
Often candid about tackling inequality, the Arians made similar comments about protests and statements when the sports world reacted to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, which he all called murders:
“I love that people are upset and raising their voices, but don’t stop,” Arians said. “It’s one thing to walk and protest, but it’s another thing to act. Once the protests are over, I urge everyone to act. Do something positive to improve the situation. Don’t just come back to silence, because then it’s going to happen again.
NFL itself has also announced it will spend $250 million to combat systemic racism over the next 10 years as part of a deal with The Players Coalition." data-reactid="49">Many players did more than just protest, with players and teams donating to social justice causes in the wake of Floyd’s death. The NFL itself has also announced that it will spend $ 250 million to tackle systemic racism over the next 10 years as part of a deal with The Players Coalition.
