GREEN BAY, Wis. The Green Bay Packers, who released powerful video bots in June after the assassination of George Floyd, held a meeting on Monday between coach Matt LaFleur and the players’ board of directors to discuss what action they can take after a police shooting but 155 miles from Lambeau Field.
Jacob Blake, who is black, was shot seven times Sunday by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
LaFleur spoke recently after the meeting with reporters via Zoom. He was emotional and spoke passionately about how it had already affected his team.
“It simply came to our notice then that this was still happening [we] wanted to get the perspective of our boys and try to push some ideas on how we can make a difference and use our platform because things need to change, “LaFleur said. The social injustice, the police brutality, the outdated laws, [we] just had to bring to everyone an awareness that black lives matter. We can no longer stand for this. “
LaFleur said he first saw the video of the shooting on Sunday night.
“When you see such a thing, it’s just so disgusting,” he said. “It’s disturbing. I’ve watched it once, and I just did not even know what to think. I know I do not know all the facts about the case, but it’s just a series. It keeps happening over and over, and again, and it blows my mind that we’re sitting here in 2020, and that we can not treat everyone the same. I do not know, I’m just kind of losing words. “
Aaron Rodgers, a member of the leadership council, said veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis helped drive the discussion on Monday.
“I think there are a lot of personal things that were said in those institutions,” Rodgers said. “I think, as I said in the video, and as we talk about in the video that we are proposing, there is a systemic problem, and until the problem is fixed, this will be an all-too-general observation. in this country.
“It seems like home is not far from Green Bay. I will not comment directly on the video until more facts come out, but it’s obviously something I do as a non-police officer, I think. [for] many of us [the] natural question is, when is lethal force necessary? Again, I think that goes to a systematic problem that needs to be addressed at some point. There are old-fashioned laws that in this state are prejudices against people of color. I think the governor and the people at the Capitol need to take a hard look at some of those systems that are out there. “
Blake is in serious condition. Police said they were responding to a domestic disturbance. Video of the shooting showed Blake being shot from behind seven times as he tried to get into a car. Wisconsin alderman Tony Evers has already called on lawmakers in session to take action on a package of bills aimed at reducing the prevalence of police brutality.
Among those believed to be at the board meeting with Rodgers and Lewis were kicker Mason Crosby and linebacker Za’Darius Smith, along with several other veterans.
“I’ve always tried to listen first, and listening is going to be quiet,” Rodgers said. “I think there are too many opinions. There is a right that comes with a lot of opinions. There are a lot of opinions and statements made out of emotion. When you first react out of emotion, you lack the ability to I think by listening, you find that empathy. And it’s only through empathy and understanding that you can really, I think, have a better awareness of what kind of real problems are, be a white man. That’s what i have been trying to do for years.
“I grew up playing sports, playing basketball. I never saw color. It was just my friends, and there was no difference, but as you begin to listen and understand, you realize that the reality in which you grew up is much different. as the reality that many of my teammates grew up in. I think it’s the first step to educating yourself about what some of these problems are and the root of them. Again I will say it again: this is a systemic problem, and the root of ‘systemic’ is ‘system.’ “Until the system is changed, there will be no complete change in this country. That is where we need to start, I think, with the legislature and protocol, training, and again it is also money.”
Rodgers said the team has not yet held extensive talks on a possible protest as a statement on game days. In 2017, the Packers asked fans to get involved in linking arms as a show of unity during the national anthem.
“We’re still three weeks away from that,” said Rodgers of the season opener. “But I’m sure there will be more extensive conversations as we get closer to the season. And then I’m sure we’ll have a statement if some of the guys will be able to talk about what ideas we’re thinking about.”
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