DENVER — Calling it a "societal issue we all need to correct," Broncos coach Vic Fangio opened his Tuesday press conference with a statement to the media, his first public comments since the civil unrest that has followed the death of George Floyd, an African-American.
Floyd's death has sparked protests across the country, including Denver for the sixth straight day. Floyd died when former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd's neck as Floyd said repeatedly, "I can't breathe." Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder.
"I was shocked, sad and angry when I saw the policeman do to a handcuffed George Floyd on his stomach that led to his death," Fangio said. "He should be punished to the fullest extent of the law for the crimes he has been charged with, in addition to being charged with treason for failing to uphold the badge and the uniform he was entrusted with. I have the utmost respect and admiration for the police and job they do under trying circumstances. They allow us to have a great country on a daily basis. The Minnesota cop failed the 99 percent of the police that do a great job. And we are all paying a price for that."
"I have listened to many people talk the last few days and the one that resonated with most is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar," Fangio said. "He also recognized that 98 to 99 percent of the police do a tremendous job in tough situations, and that we must all do what we can to correct the small percentage that don’t do a great job on a daily basis. Kareem was one person talking sensibly and with solutions. This is not a political issue. We have had similar situations in St. Louis in 2014 and Baltimore in 2015, and others recently and prior to those. It’s a societal issue that we all have to join in to correct. Good deeds and doing the right things by all in society will far outweigh people pontificating with their words or any amount of money can solve. Sports brings people together. And I look forward to the Broncos and the NFL leading that charge.”
Broncos safety Kareem Jackson called the video of Floyd's death "horrifying. ... We can't continue to live in a world where those things happen."
To that end, Jackson, who said he has been racial profiled, including during a traffic stop in Houston, plans to continue dialogue with teammates Tuesday. The Broncos coaches and players spoke with CEO Joe Ellis earlier about the civil unrest. Jackson suggested that the players might stage their own peaceful march in Denver.
"We need to get out as a team and show that we have people in the locker room from all walks of life. We can all be brothers off the field," Jackson said. "We have to be in a world we can promote change. The conversation has to start now and we have to put action behind the conversation."
Four seasons ago, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem to protest police brutality of African-Americans, while advocating for social justice for citizens of color. No team has signed him over the past three years. I asked Jackson if he felt Kaepernick's message would resonate differently, and would people be more likely to listen?
"I am more hopeful now. It’s a shame that it’s under these circumstances. Kap started this years ago," Jackson said. "I am more hopeful. But at the same time, at age 32, I probably won’t see change. It’s about what can we change for the next generation."
Per the team's website, Ellis talked with the team's players and coaches, stressing that there is no place racism or discrimination of any kind. Ellis' willingness to listen was well received by players reached by Denver7.
"It was great! It feels good to the heart that we have a leader that cares," linebacker Alexander Johnson said.
Added defensive lineman Christian Covington, "(It was) very positive."
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June 03, 2020 at 06:26AM
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Broncos coach Vic Fangio on George Floyd death: 'It's a societal issue we all have to correct' - The Denver Channel
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