Athletes react to Wisconsin shooting with anger, shock
Athletes from across the sports world reacted with anger, shock, and sadness after a video went viral showing Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man, being shot multiple times by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday.
Blake is now in hospital and is listed in serious condition. The officers involved are on administrative leave, according to CNN's Eliott C. McLaughlin and Amir Vera.
NFL
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers voiced his anger on Monday, telling reporters: "There's a systemic problem, and until the problem is fixed, this is going to be an all-too-common sighting in this country."
Aaron Rodgers’ full two-minute, 20-second response to the shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin yesterday captured on video: pic.twitter.com/LAl2QsCJJz
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 24, 2020
Michael Thomas, Saints
Stop killing unarmed black people.
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) August 24, 2020
Cameron Jordan, Saints
3 officers, 1 male? And the only way to subdue 1 man was to fire 7 rounds...
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) August 24, 2020
Tyrann Mathieu, Chiefs
Damn they shot that man 7 times.... why can’t 3 officers subdue one male? I truly need answers y’all comment on everything else......
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) August 24, 2020
Kenny Stills, Texans
Tired of waking up to videos of people being gun downed by the police.
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) August 24, 2020
NBA
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was quick to voice his anger Monday.
"And y'all wonder why we say what we say about the Police!!" James tweeted. "Someone please tell me WTF is this???!!! Exactly another black man being targeted. This shit is so wrong and so sad!! Feel so sorry for him, his family and OUR PEOPLE!! We want JUSTICE."
"F THE GAMES AND PLAYOFFS!!!" Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell wrote. "THIS IS SICK AND IS A REAL PROBLEM WE DEMAND JUSTICE! ITS CRAZY I DONT HAVE ANY WORDS BUT WTF MAN! THIS IS WHY WE DONT FEEL SAFE!!!!"
✊🏾🗣 pic.twitter.com/UlKyDbBotZ
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 24, 2020
Members of the Milwaukee Bucks reacted Monday after their playoff game in the NBA bubble.
"Watching stuff that happened in Wisconsin the other day really breaks my heart," Bucks guard George Hill said, according to Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We're down here playing in the bubble to do these things for social justice and all that, and to see it all still going on and we're just playing the games like it's nothing, it's just a really messed up situation right now. ...
"I don't think we should be talking about basketball today. We should talk about the Blake family and what's going on. It's devastating and basketball shouldn't even be on our mind right now. We're thankful for the win, but none of this really matters."
Chris Paul, Thunder
Chris Paul speaks out on the Jacob Blake shooting pic.twitter.com/I4HrUT8JwK
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) August 24, 2020
MLB
Amir Garrett, Reds
They put 7 rounds into Jacob Blake in front of his children. I watched the video, you telling me he can’t be tazed? He immediately has to be shot? Smh apparently black lives still don’t matter. I am outraged this morning.
— CountOnAG (@Amir_Garrett) August 24, 2020
Jack Flaherty, Cardinals
go ahead
— Jack Flaherty (@Jack9Flaherty) August 24, 2020
try and explain how 7 rounds in his back makes sense
Marcus Stroman, Mets
Prayers up for Jacob Blake. If you watch that video and don’t see the problem...then you’re part of the problem. No body cam footage. Unarmed black man. Thank god for the video from across the street. Open your eyes people. Try a little empathy. This shit is sickening! #BLM
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) August 24, 2020
NHL
Hockey players were quick to vocalize their anger after watching the video.
"Wish I could say I can't believe what I'm seeing," San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane tweeted. "THIS HAS TO STOP! How does anyone think this is right?! We NEED CONSEQUENCES for these sick acts of violence from the people who are suppose to be protecting us!"
"I can barely stomach watching this video but I think it's necessary for everyone to see the absurdity of this act and feel the disgust I do!" wrote Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba. "This shits gotta stop! Pray for Jacob Blake. #BlackLivesMatter."