The New York Jets cancelled their practice on Thursday in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake.
The Jets were set to hit the field at 9:20 a.m.
The team provided no immediate details on the decision, though it follows the move by teams and athletes across sports on Wednesday and Thursday who opted against playing sports to focus on another instance of police brutality against a Black person in America.
The Jets held a virtual team meeting on Wednesday to discuss the shooting of Blake and the state of racial unrest in America. Wide receiver Jamison Crowder and safety Bradley McDougald reportedly delivered poignant remarks, and Jets CEO Christopher Johnson and head coach Adam Gase spoke as well.
“We’re hurting,” McDougald said to reporters on Wednesday. “I’m an African-American man and that easily could’ve been me. As soon as I walk out of 1 Jets Drive, I’m just another black man and I don’t know how the cop is going to see me.”
Crowder and McDougald said the team was still in discussions on how to make an impact.
“I’m just sick and tired of being sick and tired,” McDougald added. “Guys are sick of talking about it. We’re sick of sharing our emotions about it. We’re hurt. To have that type of deep conversation and then snap right back in football mode is just … it’s crazy, but it’s the life we’re living. It’s the world we’re living in.”
Blake, 29, was shot several times in the back on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as he approached his car with three of his children inside.
The Detroit Lions cancelled their practice Tuesday in protest of the incident and racial injustice.
The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Football Team also chose not to practice Thursday. The Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears have postponed their practices, instead using the time to meet as a team and discuss ongoing social issues.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 27, 2020
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