Players around the league have used their platform once again to speak out against racial injustice in the aftermath of the shooting of Jacob Blake. The subject of police brutality is something that hits a bit too close to home for New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley.
Barkley recalled his own personal experience at Penn State when his father had a run-in with police, via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News:
“I remember that phone call I got from my mom, that my dad was basically mishandled and mistreated,” he said. “At the time they thought my dad was wrong. But we went through it and found out my dad was right, which I obviously knew. But in the moment when I got that phone call, I’ll never forget: I was walking to the Lasch building back at Penn State and my mom called me and my mom was really worried and concerned. My dad had a heart condition and got like tased in the heart and stuff like that.
“But I remember how I felt in that moment, and it hurt me. It hurt me. That’s why every single day I try to go out there and work and push myself and . . . try to be an inspiration for others.”
Barkley already had an obligation to use his platform as the face of the Giants franchise and one of the NFL's premier running backs. However, the incident with his father has seemingly made it a personal mission for him to ensure that true change is made.
The Giants were not among the teams to cancel practice in response to Blake's shooting. Regardless, head coach Joe Judge is adamant that discussions to determine the team's course of action will continue to take place in the coming days.
Although Barkley was fortunate enough that his father's situation with the police did not escalate, there is no shortage of evidence that shows how easily things could take a turn for the worst.
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