Days before the Seattle Seahawks are to take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 25, Richard Sherman did not want to talk about football.
During his mandated weekly press conference, Sherman declined questions from the media to address the racial climate of the country.
“I think the last couple days a couple more guys have gotten shot and killed in the middle of the street,” Sherman said on Sept. 21, reported Pro Football Talk.
“More videos have come out of guys getting killed, and I think people are still missing the point. It’s not right for people to get killed in the street.”
The recent police shooting deaths of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott have sparked protests in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Charlotte, North Carolina, respectively. Officer Betty Shelby has since been charged with manslaughter in the death of Crutcher.
“I think you have players that are trying to take a stand and trying to be aware of social issues and try to make a stand and increase people’s awareness and put a spotlight on it and they’re being ignored,” Sherman said. “Whether they’re taking a knee or whether they’re locking arms, they’re trying to bring people together and unite them for a cause.”
The Seahawks interlocked their arms, while some Miami Dolphins players knelt during the Sept. 11 matchup between the two teams.
Pro Football Talk reported that Sherman took questions in the locker room.
The silent protest spearheaded by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Aug. 26, has since created a media storm. Kaepernick, who was propelled into the spotlight as a result, doesn’t take for granted the opportunities his platform affords him.
“I’ve been very blessed to be in this position and to be able to make the kind of money that I do and I have to help these people,” said Kaepernick. “I have to help these communities. It’s not right that they’re not put in the position to succeed or given those opportunities to success.”
Kaepernick vowed to donate $1 million from his salary and donate the proceeds he receives from his top-selling jersey sales.
Time magazine announced on Thursday that Colin Kaepernick will be on the cover of its Oct. 3 issue.
