Kansas State players won’t play, practice, or face off until a college student is fired for a tweet posted earlier this week. Several Wildcats players, including second-year multipurpose catcher Joshua Youngblood, posted a picture on Twitter with a statement announcing the boycott on Saturday.
“For our family in the state of Kansas: Due to recent disparaging, callous, and disturbing comments made by a fellow student, we, as a soccer team, after consulting with students from campus organizations as well as students from the general student body, we feel it is better for us to be with the students, “said the graph. “We demand that Kansas State University establish a policy that allows a student to be fired for displaying openly racist, threatening, or disrespectful action toward a student or groups of students. We have resolved that we cannot play, practice, or meet until heard. these demands and action is taken. We love the state of Kansas but we must unite and protect all students in the future. “
The boycott comes from a tweet posted by Kansas State student Jaden McNeil mocking the death of George Floyd. Floyd’s death last month sparked international protests demanding justice, social equality and an end to police brutality. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder in Floyd’s death.
Several Kansas State soccer players voiced their discontent and threatened a boycott on Friday. Second-year coach Chris Kleiman commented on the matter on Friday.
“Our program and our coaches will continue to be part of the solution when it comes to race and justice. I love our players, and they know I have my back,” Kleiman wrote on Twitter.
Athletic director Gene Taylor also expressed his displeasure.
“Recent tweets from a K-State student that downplay the effort of Black Lives Matter and the tragic and foolish death of George Floyd are disgusting and totally inappropriate and do not reflect who we are as a university or our athletic department,” he wrote on Twitter. “They do not reflect our administration and goals. We are committed to listening to and supporting our black athletes, black students, and members of our black community and to taking positive action on issues of social injustice and racism.”
CBS Sports has contacted the state of Kansas about the boycott announced Saturday.
