Emotional toll
Grier, one of five Black NFL GMs, shares relief, sadness following verdict
Miami Dolphins executive Chris Grier, one of five Black general managers in the NFL, rarely uses his platform to discuss racial or social issues.
But before his Wednesday pre-NFL draft press conference, Grier opened with a prepared statement reflecting on George Floyd’s death last May, and the “relief and sadness” he felt following Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict on Tuesday.
Here’s the full statement: “I thought there was something we really needed to talk about before we get started, obviously with the George Floyd verdict last night. You guys know me, that I’m not a prepared statement type of person, but I just think it’s important for me to organize my thoughts and I wanted to put them down after the last few hours. Like everyone, kind of dealing what transpired,” Grier said.
“[Tuesday’s] verdict was a very emotional day for me. For me as an African-American, there was a sense of relief and sadness. George Floyd was senselessly taken from family and friends. His story was one of many that have taken place in our communities over the years. It’s 2021 and yet people of color are still asking for equality and justice. The jury in Minnesota served notice that police brutality is unacceptable and people will be held accountable for their actions. We as a people should all be touched by the raw emotions of joy and relief by the verdict. The justice system worked for people of color yesterday. However, we cannot forget that a life was lost.
“I am proud of the work that our organization has done in the South Florida community over the years, led by Stephen Ross, Tom Garfinkel and Brian Flores. Our players are actively out in the community, trying to make a real difference. There’s a lot of work still to be done in terms of reform and equality. We will continue to do more and ask others to do so as well across the NFL. We have the opportunity to make things better for everyone in our country. There are a lot of good people that want to make a difference. It’s encouraging to hear the number of White people in big companies willing to be uncomfortable and speak out against systematic racism. There are a lot of good law enforcement officials who want change for the better. These are good men and women who uphold their oaths. We need to support them as well.
“We have made tremendous advancements in our way of life except for dealing with race. It’s not just people of color being affected. Look at what’s happening with all the hate that’s being directed towards the Asian community right now. I am hopeful but not naive to think that this verdict will change things. Politics and rhetoric have created a great divide in our country. We as an organization believe in bringing people together and valuing all human life, and I hope our country can move toward that too.”
Grier also addressed his thoughts on his hope for the guilty verdict and when it was officially announced in a follow-up question.
“I don’t dive into politics much on-camera. But I think a lot of people were very hopeful that the verdict would come down the way it did, but just being honest, that always hasn’t happened,” Grier said.
“When things look like clearly something was wrong that has happened in this country, particularly with people of color, it hasn’t turned out that way. That was the relief, I think some of the joy, but it’s also saddening that it takes people dying for people to realize that and want change. I was hopeful, and then when it happened, I was happy.”
Grier and Flores, the Dolphins coach, are the only Black tandem in their positions in the NFL.
Grier is one of five Black general managers, along with Atlanta’s Terry Fontenot, Detroit’s Brad Holmes, Cleveland’s Andrew Berry and Washington’s Martin Mayhew.
Flores, one of the first figures in the NFL to address Floyd’s death last May, is one of five minority coaches in the league with Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Washington’s Ron Rivera, Jets coach Robert Saleh and Houston’s David Culley.
The Dolphins also released a team statement following the Chauvin verdict on Tuesday.
“As an organization, we have worked to use football to unite people. [Tuesday’s] verdict was progress towards accountability, justice, and healing, but we recognize that it will not bring back George Floyd to his loved ones,” the Dolphins’ statement said.
“We will continue to work to bring people together in our community and positively impact people’s lives.”