Houston Texans star defensive lineman J.J. Watt was among the athletes who spoke out regarding the death of George Floyd.
Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody on Monday night after being pinned down and handcuffed, with an officer kneeling on his neck. A bystander video of the incident clearly showed the officers neglecting Floyd's complaints about his ability to breathe, and he eventually stopped moving.
The Texans star said he has seen the video, calling it “disgusting” and adding, “I think there's no explanation,” via Sarah Barshop of ESPN.
"I've seen the video, and I think it's disgusting," Watt said. "I think that there's no explanation. I mean, to me, it doesn't make any sense. I just don't see how a man in handcuffs on the ground, who is clearly detained and clearly saying, in distress …
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) May 27, 2020
"…I don't understand how that situation can't be remedied in a way that doesn't end in his death. I think that it needs to be addressed. Strongly, obviously."
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) May 27, 2020
Floyd's death sparked a flood of outrage. While the officers involved were fired, the case marks yet another horrific death similar to that of Eric Garner in 2014.
Citizens took to the streets in Minneapolis on Tuesday night in protest. The protestors were eventually met with pepper spray, tear gas and flash grenades (via Jeff Wagner of CBS Minnesota):
Officers then showed up in riot gear, and started firing tear gas and flash grenades as protesters hurled rocks, water bottles and anything they could get their hands on towards the officers.
“I got on my knees and I put up a peace sign and they tear gassed me,” another protester said. “And I said, ‘Tear gas me again because non-violence seems healing.'”
Numerous other athletes responded to Floyd's death, from LeBron James and Colin Kaepernick to Odell Beckham Jr. and Lisa Leslie.
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey called for charges to be filed against the officer shown kneeling on Floyd's neck. But while a charge conviction might mark some semblance of justice, there are more systematic concerns that need attention.
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