The New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts and Washington soccer team are among the NFL teams not training Thursday in response to Jacob Blake’s shooting in Wisconsin.
The Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears have postponed the start of their training sessions, with some using the time to meet as a team instead to discuss social change.
The Jets’ training ground was set up for the usual start at 9:20 a.m. ET, and some staff were seen walking the field – but it was confirmed at 9:24 a.m. that training had been canceled.
Coach Adam Gase and a few Jets players said Wednesday they spoke about Blake’s murder and racial injustice on Tuesday night, and that the virtual meeting included team president and CEO Christopher Johnson.
Instead of training, the Colts said they would use Thursday “to chat and work to make a lasting social impact and inspire change in our communities.”
– Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 27, 2020
Blake, a black man, was shot seven times by police on Sunday. Blake was shot while attempting to enter through the driver’s side door of his vehicle with three of his children inside. Video of the shoot was posted on social media, prompting more protests and prompting more athletes to speak out or take action.
The Dallas Cowboys trained on Thursday, but coach Mike McCarthy said conversations with the players would continue on what they should do.
“I have to be honest, it’s hard to sit here and think I have to talk about football today, especially with everything going on in our country,” said McCarthy, whose family lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “I spent the evening last night listening and watching everything that is happening in the NBA, WNBA, MLB and in our league. These are unprecedented times in our country. …
“I’ve spent a lot of time on the phone the last two evenings. It’s really worrying. Having friends and family there [in Wisconsin]. These times are unprecedented. Things must change. I grew up in a public safety house, but I mean, I just don’t understand why this continues and I think I’m like everyone else. I don’t have the answers, but things need to change. “
The New Orleans Saints practice Thursday, but cornerback Janoris Jenkins took to social media Wednesday night, posting a photo of a quote from Muhammad Ali next to his helmet, which featured a stripe indicating “Jacob Blake” on the front.
Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia said he and his team check how players feel every day when it comes to whether or not to train or discuss what points they want to have.
“If there is a chance for everyone to stop and think for a minute, that’s really great,” Patricia said of the first pro team to protest Tuesday by calling off practice. “And I think we have a simple saying, which is just to listen. And right now that’s what we want everyone to do is listen. We understand that it’s not a sprinting. It’s not a race. It’s a marathon, and it’s something we just need to do a good job of to keep this conversation going. “
The Baltimore Ravens decided to practice, but announced that they would “meet for a meeting to discuss and work on a plan to continue social justice reform efforts” after the practice.
Washington made its decision to cancel training on Wednesday night after coach Ron Rivera spoke to new team president Jason Wright, a former NFL player and the first president of the African-American team. the NFL.
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