A few Instagram posts – one posted by Brian Urlacher, the other just “Liked” – about the shooting of Jacob Blake caused the Chicago Bears to distance themselves from their Hall of Famer on Thursday.
In one post, Urlacher posted a clear statement on his Instagram story that unfavorably compared the NBA walkouts in protest of Blake’s shooting with a performance by his old rival Brett Favre after his father’s death.
The text of the message:
Brett Favre played the MNF game the day his father died, threw 4 TDs in the first half, and was a legend for playing in the face of adversity.
NBA players boycott the playoffs because a guy stabbed to death with a knife, looking for a criminal sexual assault, was shot by police.
According to Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, investigators found a knife in the footlights of Blake’s car, which Blake confirmed he was in possession of. Last month, Blake was accused of sexually abusing third parties, according to online court records.
The second post in question was just liked by Urlacher. It was a demand to free Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old accused of murder, after allegedly shooting three Protestants, killing two, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the place where Blake was shot.
In response to those messages, the Bears have released the following statement to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk:
“The messages on social media do not in any way reflect the values or opinions of the Chicago Bears organization,” the team said in a statement issued Thursday night.
Urlacher’s social media activity may also have implications for MLB, as he is reportedly part of a group led by Alex Rodriguez who is trying to buy the New York Mets.
Contrary to Urlacher’s stated views, the Bears issued a statement earlier in the day saying they were pausing football activities and calling for action in the wake of Blake’s shooting.
Funny enough, a similar story played out the same day in college football, with Notre Dame denying former coach Lou Holtz for question marks in Joe Biden’s Catholic faith at the Republican National Convention.
The Bears do not support Brian Urlacher’s social media activity. (Photo by Quinn Harris / Getty Images)
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