A handful of NFL teams canceled football activities Thursday after Jacob Blake’s police shooting in Kenosha, Wis., On Sunday.
The Washington football team, of the Detroit Lions, the Indianapolis Colts, the Denver Broncos en of the Baltimore Ravens are among the teams that have said they are canceling their Thursday practices to discuss plans for social justice.
The Colts said in a statement that they will use Thursday “to discuss and work to create a lasting social impact and inspiring change in our communities.”
Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy – a resident of Wisconsin – told ESPN that practice would continue on Thursday, but that the team makes time to discuss their next moves.
“We now have big, big challenges in our society that need to be addressed now and the best way to get there, what is the answer?” McCarthy said in a statement on Twitter.
Other players whose teams continue Thursday activities have expressed their solidarity in other ways.
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins of the New Orleans Saints placed an image on Instagram of a quote from Muhammad Ali next to his helmet, bearing the name “Jacob Blake”. The Saints continue to practice.
Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot seven times Sunday by a Kenosha police officer while lying in his car. He is in critical condition and at least temporarily paralyzed from the waist down, his family said.
On Wednesday, The NBA Milwaukee Bucks decided not to play their playoff game against the Orlando Magic, and the NBA later kicked out the remaining games of the league for the day.
It was reported Thursday that the NBA will move forward with its playoff games.
MLS and some MLB teams also canceled their games. Professional tennis player Naomi Osaka also announced Wednesday night that she would be sitting in a match.
.
