In the midst of controversy, Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Tyrann Mathieu are using their platform to promote a strong message. on Thursday, the Super Bowl champions joined other prominent NFL stars in a powerful video protesting the death of unarmed black man George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin while asking the NFL to condemn racism in the process.
Check out the minute-long public service announcement here:
Joining Mahomes and Mathieu include New York Giants star Saquon Barkley, Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckhman Jr of the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, among others. In the video, each NFL player questions: “What if I was George Floyd?”
As the video continues, the athletes name other black Americans who have also lost their lives to police brutality, including Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aubrey, Eric Garner and Laquan McDonald.
Their conclusion, perhaps the most emotional, proposes a call to action for NFL executives:
“On behalf of the National Football League, this is what we, the players, would like to hear you state: ‘We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppresion 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.”
Mahomes Referred to Floyd’s Murder as ‘Senseless’
Breaking his silence earlier this week, Mahomes issued a poignant statement on Floyd’s murder, speaking of his own personal experiences in the process. Check out his full remarks, which he first made public via Twitter, below:
First, I send prayers to the family and friends of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmad Aubrey. As I have watched everything that has happened over the last week and even before then, I have tried to put my feelings into words. As a kid who was born with a black dad and white mom, I have been blessed to be accepted for who I am my entire life, but that isn’t the case for everyone. The senseless murders that we have witnessed are wrong and cannot continue in our country. All I can think about is how I grew up in a locker room where everyone is accepted. We all need to treat each other like brothers and sisters, and become something better. Let’s be the world where my little sister, generations to come, and even my future kids will grow up never having to experience these tragedies and instead love each other unconditionally!
Love and unite!
Mathieu Continues to Hold Others Accountable
Mathieu has remained vocal on Twitter since Floyd’s death, even criticizing Fox News host Laura Ingraham for her response to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees’ response to kneeling during the national anthem compared to Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
James himself even lashed out at Ingraham Thursday afternoon, adding that he won’t stop until he sees “change.”
The three-time NBA champion writes: “If you still haven’t figured out why the protesting is going on. Why we’re acting as we are is because we are simply F-N tired of this treatment right here! Can we break it down for you any simpler than this right here????”
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Patrick Mahomes, Tyrann Mathieu Join NFL Stars in Powerful Black Lives Matter Video