Protests against racial injustice and inequality have become the new norm in major U.S. cities following the death of George Floyd last Monday in Minneapolis. Floyd's death has also resonated in the sports community, with athletes across all sports coming out in droves against police brutality and joining along in protests. Many NFL teams have discussed racial issues internally, including the New England Patriots.
Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater had high praise for head coach Bill Belichick, saying Belichick has been willing to listen and learn from the players on the roster, via Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston.
“I think coach has a good, healthy understanding of the gravity of the situation and the times that we're living in,” Slater said. “I think he's done a good job of trying to listen, trying to learn and hear from his players and try to navigate this as best as he can.
Slater added that while the players understand Belichick is, first and foremost, a football coach, he also believes Belichick wants his players to be heard, via Leger.
“So I'm sure that he'll continue to be open and receptive to us having dialogue. I'm thankful for what he has done thus far as far as that process is concerned, and we'll just see how it goes as we press forward.”
Belichick might be intent on holding an open forum, but from an organizational perspective, things are a bit more complicated.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft is a renowned supporter of President Trump, whose diction and response to the protests has been cited as one of the reasons for increasing tensions between protestors and police forces.
That said, Kraft announced the team would be donating $1 million to a number of organizations with the intent of combatting systemic racism.
Regardless, Belichick continues to maintain the “Patriot Way” in New England's locker room. That includes making sure his players are comfortable speaking their minds.
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