The Extra Point
For many NFL stars, speaking out against social injustice meant speaking to youngsters about racism.
The Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, the Titans’ Derrick Henry, the Seahawks’ Tyler Lockett and the Ravens’ Calais Campbell chatted with students about a film that focuses on the social and emotional effects of racism.
The documentary titled “Black Boys” was executive produced by Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins.
“It is just a beautiful way to get people to start to discuss the matters that are at hand socially in this world,” Kelce said. “I think it’s my job as a white man to be able to step up and say, ‘Listen, something is wrong here. How we are viewing the African American people is wrong. How we’re treating African American people is wrong.’ There needs to be something done about that.”
Jenkins said, “These young men talked about how it makes them feel when they can tell that people are afraid of them without even knowing who they are, what they’re about.
“The biggest thing is we need to be able to encourage Black boys to see themselves as more than just athletes and entertainers, but what can they do with their minds. What can they do with their creativity and showing them that it is OK to be emotional, it is OK to laugh, to cry, to feel just as much as human as anybody else, and to encourage them to boldly walk in that regardless of what the world or society might tell them.”
Campbell said, “It’s very important to me just being able to build confidence in the Black community among our young boys or who are struggling, fighting and dealing with all the oppression and different things. ‘Black Boys’ is an incredible film that just gives you authentic realization of how things are in America for young Black boys. And just what they need to be able to flourish in and be able to reach their goals.”