The death of Minneapolis man, George Floyd has sparked global outrage. Sports stars took to social media to express their pain over his death.
LeBron James and other high-profile athletes have taken to social media to voice their outrage over the death of a black Minnesota man who was pinned down by police.
George Floyd, 46, died Monday night while in Minneapolis police custody. A bystander’s video showed an officer kneeling on the handcuffed Floyd’s neck.
He pleaded that he could not breathe and stopped moving.
Four Minneapolis officers involved in Floyd’s arrest were fired Tuesday after the video of the incident gained national attention. Mayor Jacob Frey announced the firings on Twitter, saying “This is the right call.”
Athletes Weigh In
On Tuesday night, James posted on Instagram referencing Colin Kaepernick. The former NFL quarterback’s kneeling protested police brutality and racial injustice.
James’ post includes a photo of the officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck alongside a photo of Kaepernick kneeling during the anthem.
The caption: “This … … Is Why.” The Los Angeles Lakers star wrote in the post: “Do you understand NOW!!??!!?? Or is it still blurred to you?? #StayWoke”
James has unapologetically been outspoken on social issues like police brutality throughout his career. He also posted an Instagram story Tuesday that included a photo and video of Floyd’s arrest along with the caption: “We’re hunted.”
Former NBA player Stephen Jackson was friends with Floyd and has shared a number of social media posts about his death. Jackson, who currently works as an ESPN analyst, called Floyd by the nickname “Twin” and noted that “both of our names will live forever.”
NFL stars Odell Beckham Jr. and DeMarcus Lawrence, NBA stars Jaylen Brown and Donovan Mitchell, and WNBA Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie also tweeted their frustration over Floyd’s death.
Kaepernick’s Fingerprints
Kaepernick shared a version of his famous kneeling photos on his Instagram stories. It was then tweeted by former NFL wide receiver Nathan Palmer.
Formula One star Lewis Hamilton shared James’ post on his Instagram stories as well.
Floyd’s death was under investigation by the FBI and state law enforcement authorities. However, history has repeated itself as the comparisons to the case of Eric Garner were immediate.
Garner was an unarmed black man who died in 2014 in Staten Island, NY after he was placed in a chokehold by police. Like Floyd, he pleaded for his life, saying “I can’t breathe.”
In Minneapolis, protesters filled the streets on Tuesday night where Floyd was arrested. They eventually marched about 2½ miles to a city police precinct to display their frustration with law enforcement.
