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Former Hawkeyes speak out against vandalism to Kinnick Stadium
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Former Iowa football players have spoken out against the recent vandalism that occurred to Kinnick Stadium and the statue of Nile Kinnick on Saturday night. The outside of the stadium and the statue were spray-painted after protests occurred in Iowa City on Saturday night.
The vandalism occurred on Saturday after strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle was placed on administrative leave for alleged “racial disparities” that occurred within the Iowa football program. Head coach Kirk Ferentz announced the decision on Saturday night and also claimed the program would work towards a cultural shift.
After seeing images and video of the vandalism, former Hawkeye players spoke out. Jaleel Johnson, Akrum Wadley and Carl Davis are just a few who took to Twitter.
That was some bulls***! People have to do better. https://t.co/JP1h72gxpm
— Akrum Wadley (@akrum_wadley) June 7, 2020
Not kinnick. This is what makes the message invalid.
— Jaleel Johnson (@leellxvii) June 7, 2020
As a former player at Iowa. I understand and support my former teammates and all the issues that are being stated. But whoever did that shit to Kinnick lame as hell and y’all are undermining our progress as African American Players.
— Carl Davis Jr. (@Trenchwork94) June 7, 2020
Davis also said that he and Johnson were headed to Iowa City to help with the clean up:
Me @leellxvii headed to Iowa city to help clean anything that has been damaged. We want to be apart of the solution. We put out blood sweat and tears into being a Hawkeye. We want to see it be great as possible. Iowa city see you soon!
— Carl Davis Jr. (@Trenchwork94) June 7, 2020
Comments and allegations regarding “racial disparity” within the program surfaced Friday night. James Daniels, a former offensive lineman, was the first to make his experience public.
“There are too many racial disparities in the Iowa football program,” Daniels said on Twitter. “Black players have been treated unfairly for far too long.”
Several other players shared their stories after Daniels’ sent out the message. After hearing multiple stories, Ferentz released a statement.
“I am saddened to hear these comments from some of our former players,” Ferentz wrote.
“While I wish they had reached out to us directly, I am thankful that these players decided to share their experiences now. As I said earlier this week, the best way to affect change is by listening. I have started reaching out to them on an individual basis to hear their stories first hand.
“Making change that matters involves an open dialogue and possibly some tough conversations. I am glad to have the opportunity to do just that. As a staff and as leaders, we will listen and take to heart the messages we hear.”
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB