Jets, G-Men express unity with social message
The Jets and Giants both held emotional team meetings this week in the wake of the recent shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wis.
Jets CEO Christopher Johnson talked to his team in a virtual discussion Tuesday after Blake, a black man, was shot in the back by police officers over the weekend.
Coach Joe Judge and the Giants also pushed back practice Wednesday after discussing the possibility of canceling it altogether as a sign of solidarity in what the first-year coach described as a “meaningful conversation” with the team about ongoing social-injustice issues.
“I think it is definitely a big issue going on right now and it’s been a big issue for the last 400 years,” said Leonard Williams, who was traded from the Jets to the Giants last season. “It’s definitely time for some change.”
Players and coaches from both teams said they had open discussions about the Blake incident and what they can do to bring about change in the local community.
Jets safety Bradley McDougald said the talks continued when the position groups had their meetings, adding some people were in tears.
“It seems like all we can do right now is talk and formulate ideas,” McDougald said. “Guys are getting tired of talking. Guys are getting tired of formulating this perfect idea and whatever solution we’re supposed to come up with as a community or as these athletes with these platforms.
“Guys are just getting sick and tired of being sick and tired. That’s what it comes down to.”
The NBA canceled its slate of playoff games in the Orlando, Fla., bubble Wednesday — led by an initial protest by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Detroit Lions canceled practice Tuesday to hold a press conference discussing social injustice.
The Giants considered doing something similar, but Judge said the decision ultimately was made by the team’s leadership council “to not miss any work.”
Still, Williams said the Giants were “inspired” by the Lions’ action and added “power” to the Bucks for leading the NBA’s protest.
“This is bigger than sports,” Williams said.
The Giants’ community initiative split their staff and roster into nine groups focusing on various causes, including police reform. Judge stressed the
Giants plan to “be about action and not just words.”
Wide receiver Jamison Crowder said the Jets also are discussing ways they can take action. He said it was hard watching the video of Blake being shot.
“I’ve been in the same situation, a similar situation when I was in college,” Crowder said. “I was pulled over numerous times just because of the car I was driving and obviously because I was being stereotyped.
“I didn’t commit a crime at all, but I had drug dogs pulled on me. When I see those images, things like this continuing to happen, it just always reminds me of the situation I was in personally. One false move I could have made and I could have easily been a victim.”
McDougald, who joined the
Jets last month in the Jamal Adams trade, said he and his black teammates have to always worry about what they might face when they encounter police.
“Me personally, I’m hurt by the whole situation,” he said. “I’m an African-American man, and that easily could have been me. As soon as I walk out of One Jets Drive, I’m just another black man. I don’t know how the cop is going to see me. I have dreads and tattoos and I’m bigger than the average male. I don’t know how that cop is going to view me and the attitude and the aggression he’s going to give me.
“This is definitely something that I don’t want, and a lot of my brothers in the locker room don’t want it swept under the rug. This is not a oneday topic.”