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Football coaches from across the B1G release statements in wake of George Floyd’s death, protests
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B1G football coaches have released statements speaking out against police brutality and racial inequality in the days since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Floyd died after a white police officer in Minneapolis held his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. Outrage has been seen across the country and protests and demonstrations have been held across the country.
Over the last several days, coaches in the B1G have released statements regarding Floyd’s death, and urging the country that it’s time for change. Below are the statements that have been released by several coaches from across the conference over the past week:
Jeff Brohm, Purdue
We value you Coach Barclay, and we stand with you and all those who are committed to social justice and equality. It is time for change!! https://t.co/rrQWuex5He
— Jeff Brohm (@JeffBrohm) May 30, 2020
James Franklin, Penn State
Ryan Day, Ohio State
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”
— Ryan Day (@ryandaytime) May 29, 2020
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
Silence at a time like this is unacceptable, and complicit, especially from those who are privileged. Racism cannot be ignored. We can be better. We MUST be better.
We ALL have a responsibility if we’re going to fight systems of oppression.
Listen, love, respect, act. 💜
— Pat Fitzgerald (@coachfitz51) May 29, 2020
Mel Tucker, Michigan State
P.J. Fleck, Minnesota
Mike Locksley, Maryland
Tom Allen, Indiana
My heart is broken by what is going on in our country. Racial injustice is wrong and it MUST be addressed!! I Believe we are to LOVE EACH OTHER! No matter one’s skin color. Love is a choice. Our prayers are with George Floyd’s family. John 15:12 #LEO
— Coach Tom Allen (@CoachAllenPSU) May 29, 2020
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
On the Rich Eisen Show
“Today I’ll tell you what, I’m really very upset about the George Floyd death,That’s got me preoccupied today. Horrendous. I’m just watching right now and looking forward to there being an investigation and waiting for charges. That’s completely outrageous.”
On Colin Kaepernick’s protest in the NFL
“There was a graphic I saw that too — this is why he knelt. If you didn’t know then, you know now. That spoke volumes I thought.”
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Paul Chryst, Wisconsin
Greg Schiano, Rutgers
Our greatest gap is that between knowing and doing. I pray we can continue to lead by actions that unite our community and state. #Chop4Change https://t.co/d17mjecFv7
— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) June 1, 2020
Scott Frost, Nebraska
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