Kansas State student-athletes boycott following student's social media post

A social media post from a Kansas State University student has led Wildcats football players to boycott the sport until the school shows strides of eliminating racism on campus.

This week, KSU student Jaden McNeil mocked George Floyd with a social media post, which prompted outrage among student-athletes at the school. Now multiple Kansas State athletes, including football players, are using Twitter to share a statement announcing a boycott.

“To our family at Kansas State: Due to the recent disparaging, insensitive, and unsettling comments made by a fellow student, we as a football team, after consultation with students from campus organizations, as well as students from the general student body, feel it is best for us to stand with the students,” the graphic read. “We are demanding that Kansas State University put a policy in place that allows a student to be dismissed for displaying openly racist, threatening or disrespectful action toward a student or groups of students. We have resolved that we cannot play, practice, or meet until these demands are heard and actions taken. We love Kansas State but we must stand together and protect all students moving forward.”

Several student-athletes supported that statement on Twitter.

Kansas State President Richard Myers released a statement on the comments made by McNeil.

“The insensitive comments posted by one K-State student hurts our entire community. These divisive statements do not represent for the values of our university. We condemn racism and bigotry in all its forms,” the statement said. “We are launching an immediate review of the university’s options. Black Lives Matter at Kansas State University and we will continue to fight for social justice.”

Athletic director Gene Taylor also issued a statement on Twitter.

“Recent tweets from a K-State student downplaying the Black Lives Matter effort and the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd are disgusting and totally inappropriate and not reflective of who we are as a University or our Athletic Department,” the statement read.