Sports world reacts to conviction of former police officer Chauvin
With a collectively heavy heart, many in the sports world roundly joined the rest of the United States in absorbing and acknowledging the guilty verdicts in the trial of ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for kneeling on George Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes last May.
Within minutes of the verdicts, the L.A. Sparks issued a statement on Twitter. In keeping with both the WNBA and the organization’s established social justice advocacy, it read, in part: “Our organization recognizes that one guilty verdict does not change the fact that people of color face systemic racism on a daily basis and continue to be victims of police brutality. While a modicum of justice was served with this ruling, it’s important to remember that true justice will come when all citizens, regardless of race, gender, or religion
feel safe in their communities and have equitable access to education, housing, healthcare and economic mobility.”
Floyd’s death led to international protests and a widespread reckoning about racism and policing in the United States, including within the NBA and WNBA bubbles last summer. The professional women’s league explicitly dedicated its season to social justice last summer, furthering many of its players’ longstanding efforts to promote social progress and awareness.
One example: In 2016, Sparks forward Seimone Augustus was one of four Minnesota Lynx players initially fined by the league — which rescinded the penalty within a day — for wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt during warmups. The shirts were their response to police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, Black men from Louisiana and Minnesota.
On Tuesday, a multitude of WNBA players were active on Twitter as they braced for the verdict — and then swiftly shared a range of sober reactions to it.
“Some sort of justice,” tweeted former UCLA star Michaela Onyenwere, who was drafted last week by the New York Liberty. “Praying for George Floyd’s family during this time.”
Sparks center Amanda Zahui B., who was an active participant in protests last summer in her native Sweden, tweeted: “I don’t know how I’m feeling. I’m sad and happy at the same time ... There is still so so much work to be done. But this is a start towards the right direction. Let’s stick together and let’s strive for a better world. For you. For me. For everyone.”
“On all accounts. Period,” added Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike, in succinct approval of the jury’s decision.
Ogwumike is the president of the WNBA’s players association, which also issued a powerfully worded statement: “We know what we saw. That was murder plain and simple ...” the union’s statement read, in part, continuing, “It is up to us, the people of good conscience, to honor George Floyd, his daughter Gianna and his family by continuing to push for comprehensive legislation to hold police accountable.
“Yes, Gianna Floyd, your dad has changed the world.”
Members of other professional and collegiate athletic institutions also expressed support for the verdicts.
The NBA and NBPA put out a joint statement, highlighting a commitment to efforts working toward improvements in the areas of criminal justice and policing: “George Floyd’s murder was a flash point for how we look at race and justice in our country, and we are pleased that justice appears to have been served. But we also recognize that there is much work to do be done.”
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer quote-tweeted that statement and added: “My sentiments and the sentiments of the Clippers precisely.”
Lakers star LeBron James tweeted one word, in all capital letters: “ACCOUNTABILITY.”
The Clippers’ DeMarcus Cousins’ response: “Progress.”
Markieff and Marcus Morris — twin brothers who play for the Lakers and Clippers, respectively — both tweeted emojis of hands in prayer.
The USC football team announced that it was postponing its practice Tuesday, choosing instead to spend that time discussing racial injustice.
“While we realize there is much work that needs to be done, it is important not to push the conversation to a later date as our Los Angeles community has witnessed injustices for years,” read a statement on the official USC football Twitter account.
The official Dodgers twitter account posted a message that promised that the team would “continue to support and encourage awareness and commit resources in the effort to address systemic inequity & social injustice.”
And the Los Angeles Football Club tweeted out a statement, as well: “... we reject oppression and brutality in all its forms.”
Chiney Ogwumike, Nneka’s sister and Sparks teammate, added her own heartfelt, solemn address on Twitter.
“The hardest part right now is that for many, while the verdict rendered guilty, the reality is that anxiety still remains,” she wrote.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint. This is accountability, not absolution.
“A step towards justice no longer being aspirational, but institutional.”
“I don’t know how I’m feeling. I’m sad and happy at the same time ... There is still so so much work to be done. But this is a start towards the right direction. Let’s stick together and let’s strive for a better world. For you. For me. For everyone.”
— Amanda Zahui B, Sparks center