WATCH: Georgia football players, coaches speak out on matters of social injustice
A number of Georgia football players and coaches have made their voices heard on social media in the wake of the Jacob Blake being shot seven times in the back by Kenosha, Wi., police.
The Georgia football Twitter account released a video on Thursday evening featuring a number of prominent voices, from wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton to Tyson Campbell as well as head coach Kirby Smart.
Let’s use this energy to change our country… Our world… And do it together.#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/W65jOU8lFU
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) August 28, 2020
“I’m proud to hear our guys stand up and talk,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “Until you’ve sat and listened and you actually take the time to show empathy, it makes you remember what you are fighting for and you want them to become.”
The coaches were not the only ones in the video who spoke about their desire for the world to be a better place.
“As a person who goes to the University of Georgia, I can use my voice to make change,” Campbell said. “To try to make the world a better place.”
Smart, former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford and their families recently teamed up, as the two donated $500,000 to the University of Georgia so that it could start a social justice initiative that per a release, “ seeks to implement strategic initiatives in the areas of diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice.”
In addition to those in the video — defensive backs coach Charlton Warren, defensive coordinator Dan Lanning, special teams coach Scott Cochran, strength and conditioning coach Scott Sinclair, outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, inside linebacker Nate McBride and running back Prather Hudson — Georgia players and coaches shared their thoughts on Twitter on Thursday as well.
Together we Can Make a Change 💙 https://t.co/rUHIyRTeMw
— Richard LeCounte III (@LilEasy_35) August 28, 2020
@KirbySmartUGA this is big! Let’s be the change 🙏🏽 https://t.co/Rv4gNg3bHL
— Tae Crowder 4️⃣ (@TaeCrowder) August 28, 2020
Together we help make the world a better place ! https://t.co/9Z6xQpfEMJ
— Monty Rice (@RiceMonty) August 28, 2020
Wonder how they see me without the jersey on🤔
— Nakobe Dean🔝 (@NakobeDean) August 27, 2020
My School 🖤, My Family 🤞🏾 https://t.co/Rc4jlwoPyM
— Jamaree Salyer ♠️ (@jamareesalyer69) August 28, 2020
I’m bigger than just an athlete
— Eric Stokes Jr (@_jamane_) August 27, 2020
Look into OUR guys eyes and see their pain. Listen to THEIR voice and you can hear their hurt. They all have a story of their own to tell. It’s bigger than what’s on the news – this is their lives, their families, and their communities.
— Glenn Schumann (@CoachSchuUGA) August 28, 2020
The greatest inspiration you can ever get is to know that you are an inspiration to others. Start living an inspirational life for you, your family, and peers. #InspireJustice
— Dell McGee (@DellMcGee) August 27, 2020
Problems Don’t Disappear! Be Part of Change. Where does it start… #Empathy #Listen #Communicate #StartsInYourCircle
— Dan Lanning (@CoachDanLanning) August 27, 2020
Earlier this summer Smart released a statement following the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department.
“I firmly stand against racism of all kinds,” Smart said. “I realize that I feel this differently, but I am hurting for the young black men on my team, I am hurting for the black men on our staff. I cannot imagine the agony, grief and fear that our black communities feel today and every other day.
“I do not have the answers but I am committed to moving with purpose and being part of the solutions. We have to make a change. We have to be better.”
Other schools such as Stanford and Alabama have put out similar videos and messages on social media.
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/DC2b4EkQix
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) August 27, 2020
“In this moment in history, we can’t be silent.” pic.twitter.com/YF4ndJSpa0
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) June 25, 2020
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