BYU Athletics, Players, Alumni React To Nationwide Protests Following Death Of George Floyd
Jun 1, 2020, 7:35 PM | Updated: 7:36 pm
Photo Courtesy of BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey
PROVO, Utah – BYU athletics, the university, coaches, alums, and student-athletes have used their platforms to stand against racism in recent days. These reactions and statements are reactions to the nationwide protests, including in Salt Lake City, following the death of George Floyd last Monday on May 25th in Minneapolis.
BYU Athletics statement
The BYU Athletic Department issued a statement on Monday evening that aligned with the university and their ownership, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“As an athletic department, we are aligned with BYU and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to ‘stand against racism and violence in any form, and are committed to promoting a culture of safety, kindness, respect and love.’
— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) June 2, 2020
“We pledge our commitment to join with collegiate athletic departments across the country to enact positive change and foster a ‘fundamental respect for the dignity of every human soul.'”
Brigham Young University’s statement
BYU President Kevin J. Worthen issued a statement as well on Monday night.
A message from BYU President Kevin J Worthen:
With the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others over the years, and the confluence of recent events, important conversations are happening throughout the nation, including at BYU. (1/6)
— BYU (@BYU) June 1, 2020
“With the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and others over the years, and the confluence of recent events, important conversations are happening throughout the nation, including at BYU.
We extend our love and concern to all members of our university community who are impacted by these events.
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We know there is work to do, on campus and throughout the nation, for us to better come together, to address injustice and to truly love one another. It will take sustained effort from all of us to make things better. We remain committed to doing that.
We can do that in a unique way at BYU because of our understanding of the important truth that each of us are children of heavenly parents. BYU stands firmly against racism and violence in any form and is committed to promoting a culture of safety, kindness, respect and love.
As we continue to move forward together, let us do so with charity. Let us be kind. Let us respect others. Let us listen. Let us follow the example of Jesus Christ.
Matt Haarms speaks out against racism
BYU basketball’s Matt Haarms shared personal feelings on the matter via his Instagram page.
Former BYU athletes
Former BYU defensive backs Dayan Lake (Ghanwoloku) and Robertson Daniel turned to Twitter to express some of their feelings.
For those who need a better understanding… pic.twitter.com/pCWNlUfBzZ
— Dayan G. Lake (@Lake_Era5) May 31, 2020
As an athlete deciding on what college to go to after high school or junior college, i would truly be interested in how the head coach/ athletic director at this University feels about what's going on, and have they spoken up about it… If they haven't, I wouldn't play for them.
— Rob Daniel (@TheRealist1ne) May 31, 2020
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
