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Norvell apologizes, admits he didn't discuss inequality with every player

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Florida State head coach Mike Norvell acknowledged Thursday that he didn't discuss injustice with every player individually, as he previously claimed.

"Last Saturday evening, I sent a text to each player individually to present an opportunity for open communication with me," Norvell said in a statement obtained by Stadium's Brett McMurphy. "Many members of our team chose to respond and have more in-depth conversations about issues and feelings. Marvin is right. It was a mistake to use the word 'every.' Particularly at this time, words are important, and I'm sorry. Once again, I am grateful for the opportunity that I was given to speak to our team more in-depth as a result of Marvin being willing to express his feelings. We will continue to communicate and work together to be part of the solution making our world a better place for ALL."

FSU also released the text message that Norvell sent to each player.

Earlier Thursday, star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson tweeted that Norvell had lied to the media about "going back and forth individually with every player" to address the death of George Floyd, who was killed in police custody. Wilson also said the Seminoles would stop working out as a protest.

In the caption of an Instagram video that Wilson posted before Norvell publicly issued his apology, Wilson thanked his coach for encouraging him to use his platform to speak about what he and his teammates believe in.

"Took a stand, we got what we wanted, and we are moving forward," he wrote.

In the video, Wilson said that after a team meeting, the Seminoles agreed to three courses of action to combat racial oppression on a systemic level:

  • All players will become registered voters
  • Program will raise funds for organizations that help send black students to college
  • Program will raise money to help children in Tallahassee

"So many schools around Tallahassee are below the poverty line," said Wilson, who also encouraged people of color to aspire to become lawyers, doctors, and practitioners in other influential fields.

Wilson, who will be a senior in 2020, is expected to be one of the top prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. He had five sacks in nine games last year before suffering a season-ending injury.

Norvell is entering his first season as head coach at Florida State. The 38-year-old went 38-15 at Memphis before leaving to take over the Seminoles.

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