EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.– The New York Giants havent eliminated the alternative of sitting out a video game in the routine season to oppose social oppression, according to lead running back Saquon Barkley and pass receiver Sterling Shepard.
Barkley and Shepard were asked on Zoom calls Thursday after practice whether not playing was a possibility. They did not rule it out. Both stated it was something that would be gone over amongst the team.
” I cant truly just go and speak on behalf of the entire league, but, for us, that is something that were going to discuss within our [social justice] groups, within our group,” Barkley said. “Whats spoken about in gamers conferences remains in gamers meetings.”
Its uncertain how severe the Giants gamers have to do with skipping a video game. The Giants open on Sept. 14, a Monday night, when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2 Related” Thats something that were going to discuss as a team. Im not going to comment on that up until we do so,” Shepard said.
The Giants players and group intend to continue their conversation on social justice issues Thursday afternoon and into the night.
The Giants did hold practice Thursday while numerous other groups around the NFL decided to remain off the field in response to the authorities shooting of Jacob Blake. The NBA players boycotted playoff video games the previous day, and the WNBA postponed video games.
This did not go unnoticed among the Giants players.
” Commend them for standing up, using their platform, utilizing their voice,” Barkley said.
Giants coach Joe Judge said that he had talked to his leadership council in current days– and again Thursday early morning– and that they chose to continue practicing, in part to offer younger gamers a reasonable chance to make an impression in this shortened training school.
Judge and the Giants were going to continue their social justice discussion Thursday afternoon throughout gaps in the teams schedule.
Judge has actually been adamant about how they cant just provide blanket statements and rather need to act. The players were divided into nine social justice groups earlier this year and had the freedom to pick causes in the local neighborhood where they wish to get included. The coach has actually been allowing the players to drive the initiatives and actions, consisting of how to progress now given the recent occasions in Wisconsin.
” Were letting the gamers think of what they wish to do,” Judge stated Thursday. “Were going to have conversations as a training personnel and ownership tonight, and well have more responses then.”
Owners John Mara and Steve Tisch have actually been crucial figures in the talks, according to Judge.
Barkley said the video of the Blake shooting made him “sick.” He later on narrated about how he was impacted by social oppression through an event involving his daddy. Barkley, who was a trainee at Penn State at the time, said the circumstance was “mishandled” by police.
It made him realize that hes not immune to our countrys issues.
” You cant look at it as, Oh, its Jacob Blake,” Barkley said. That is kind of the method I look at it.”
Barkley understands hes in a position to make a declaration through his words and actions. He means to benefit from his platform.
He is among the NFLs biggest stars and has 2.2 million followers on Instagram alone.
” I understand God put me in a position to be able to have a platform. To be able to use my voice. Ive been huge on knowing my history, specifically the athletes. The Bill Russells of the world, the Colin Kaepernicks of the world, and how they had the ability to deal with those scenarios and use their voice,” Barkley stated. “It develops discussion. You have to ask yourself: What can you do? What can you do?
” That is simply the start. You have to stimulate those conversations and after that do something about it. Discover ways you can do. That is what were attempting to do with our group. And when we continue to discover the right things to do, well continue to do it.”
Barkley and Shepard were asked on Zoom calls Thursday after practice whether not playing was a possibility. “Whats talked about in players conferences stays in players meetings.”
Barkley, who was a student at Penn State at the time, stated the situation was “mishandled” by cops.
” You cant look at it as, Oh, its Jacob Blake,” Barkley said. The Bill Russells of the world, the Colin Kaepernicks of the world, and how they were able to deal with those situations and utilize their voice,” Barkley stated.
