Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. penned a heartfelt essay in the New York Times instead of simply going to social media or doing interviews with the press to make his voice be heard.
The Cardinals star joined the many people all over the world who stand against the racial injustice after the actions of the Minneapolis police ended up killing African American man George Floyd two weeks ago. Fitzgerald grew up in Minneapolis, and he stated that what he sees today “is not the hometown of my youth.”
Fitzgerald refused to accept interviews and release comments regarding the matter for nearly two weeks, but his timely essay certainly helped amplify the cries against the injustice.
“For as long as I have known it, Minneapolis has been a city of peace, family and contentment. But not right now,” the Cardinals wideout wrote.
The tragedy happened less than a mile from where Fitzgerald grew up in, so for the NFL veteran, it definitely hit close to home — figuratively and literally.
“We are not healthy. The violent death of George Floyd in police custody is yet another example of a systemic problem we have yet to solve. A cancer we are failing to cut out. People and communities are suffering, lives are being lost and futures are being destroyed.”
In his essay, Larry Fitzgerald showed that he isn't only artful on the field, but also with words as he even sent a personal message to the victims of racial injustice in the US.
“George Floyd, in your final gasps for breath, we hear you.
Breonna Taylor, in your besieged home, we hear you.
Ahmaud Arbery, as your footsteps pounded the ground, running for your life, we hear you.
Victims of violence, poverty and injustice, we hear you.
Communities and lives torn apart by riots, we hear you.
People of privilege learning a better way, we hear you.
Mothers and fathers of every race doing the best you can to teach your children to love and not hate, we hear you.
May God give us all ears to hear so that the cries of the unheard are never again compelled to scream in desperation.”
The 36-year-old Cardinals star has been selected to participate in the Pro Ball 11 times and is widely expected to be a Hall of Fame candidate someday.
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