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The Minnesota Vikings commented Wednesday on the loss of life of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer used his knee to pin Floyd’s neck to the bottom throughout an arrest. The assertion reads:
“We’re deeply saddened by the lack of life that occurred Monday night simply blocks from our stadium. Everybody in our group deserves the suitable to really feel protected and secure. Our ideas are with the George Floyd household and all people who’ve been affected by this tragedy.”
Floyd was arrested on the intersection of E. 38th Road on S. Chicago Avenue — the identical avenue the place U.S. Financial institution Stadium stands three miles north. Floyd was pronounced lifeless at a neighborhood hospital an hour after his arrest.
Many NFL followers throughout the nation have responded to the group’s assertion, together with some rivals.
RESPECT to the group. Unhappy that this present day, these phrases are considered as “controversial.”
I am a Saints fan who cannot stand you guys (for apparent causes) on the sector.
However that is REAL LIFE.
As a Black man, I applaud even this easy gesture of empathy.— Philly Who Dat (@whodat2835) Could 27, 2020
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey referred to as for the arrest and charging of all 4 officers concerned.
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Floyd Was a Star Tight Finish in Excessive College
Floyd attended Jack Yates Excessive College in Houston and was a tall, skinny basketball participant turned tight finish on one of many Lions’ most memorable groups that made it to the Class 5A state title sport in 1992.
Former teammate Oscar Smallwood, who went on to play at Texas Tech, recalled Floyd’s mild-mannered nature, telling the Houston Chronicle of an intrasquad scrimmage the place Floyd caught a deep cross and handed the ball to Smallwood to keep away from being hit. Smallwood added that below the lights is when he shined, usually changing on an endzone fade the teaching workers drew up for “Huge Floyd.”
Right here’s George Floyd scoring a landing in ‘92. What a play. Yates HS sport hero.
Most likely looks as if a lifetime in the past to Floyd’s household and associates.
Now, they’re planning his funeral whereas protestors march in his title. #georgefloyd #abc13 https://t.co/v7hWULfled pic.twitter.com/S5RLFM1Pwh
— Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) Could 27, 2020
Jack Yates soccer coach Michael Hickey, a 1991 graduate, instructed the Houston Chronicle that Floyd was “beloved by everyone.”
“He was not a violent particular person. I had by no means seen him be violent in highschool or ever heard about him being violent after that,” Hickey stated. “I don’t know rather a lot about his grownup background, however I’ve heard nothing however good issues. He was all the time smiling each time I noticed him.”
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