Four days after police officers shot 29-year-old black Jacob Blake in the back several times in Kenosha, Wis., Boycotts, protests, and statements are sweeping the American sports landscape.
The University of Nebraska men’s basketball team, coached by former Bulls manager Fred Hoiberg, added their voice to calls for justice and change on Thursday.
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Twelve players plus Hoiberg gathered outside the Hendricks Training Complex and in front of assorted media on Thursday afternoon, all dressed in black tees, shorts and face masks. To begin the process, each player stood on a podium standing in front of the complex and said into a microphone: “I’m here today for …” followed by the names of several black people who have died or were otherwise victims of the police or racist violence.
Names listed: Jacob Blake, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmad Aubrey, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Aura Rosser, Tanisha Anderson, Stephon Clark, Mike Brown, Alton Sterling.
Hoiberg was the last of the procession, saying, “I am here today for all black lives.”
We are together. pic.twitter.com/mYrQbCCRLy
– Nebraska Basketball (@HuskerHoops) August 27, 2020
After Hoiberg moved aside, junior guards Kobe Webster and Teddy Allen stepped onto the podium and teamed up to make a statement on behalf of the team.
“We are united to find ways to educate people to stop, hopefully, this terrible trend of loss of life for no reason. This is not a political struggle. It’s about being a decent human being, “Webster said.” We know we won’t change everything that’s happening by being here today. The goal for us is simply to make our community and state fall behind. do not accept these injustices “.
“We are tired of talking about the same things over and over as we lose precious lives along the way,” Allen said. “Are we fighting a futile battle? How many hashtags do the police have to create for people to start caring? We can’t only worry when it’s convenient. We can’t worry only when it directly impacts us. Taking care of someone else’s life. should fit into basic human ideals. We are here together as black and white people, making it clear that we are disgusted by the events taking place in our country involving police brutality and systematic [sic] injustices towards blacks.
“We want to play a role in change and we want all of you to join us. No more hashtags, just change, “he said to conclude the conference.
Hoiberg later added to his support for his players via social media, writing, “Proud of these guys. I’m 100% behind them ”on Twitter.
Proud of these guys. I am 100% behind them https://t.co/PrSIWmQvf9
– Fred Hoiberg (@CoachHoiberg) August 27, 2020
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