Athletes from around different sports in the world including Lewis Hamilton and GOAT basketballer of National Basketball Association are paying homage to late George Floyd who was a victim of police brutality in the city of Minneapolis, US. Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American died on May 25 in an arrest by a white police officer who kneeled him on neck for several minutes after taking him down handcuffed. The death of the black man has attracted nationwide protests after a video of him pinned down by the police went viral in the country in recent days. The Hall of Famer, Jordan on Sunday released a statement via Charlotte Hornets.
“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry,” said the 57-year-old Jordan. “I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.”
The Basketball legend also offered his condolences to Floyd’s family and to the “countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice.”
African-American basketballer whose life and celebrated career were recently showcased in a 10-part docuseries “The Last Dance,” added: “I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others. We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality.”
Throughout the weekend, big names from the sporting world paid respects to the memory of the deceased black man. There was a display of powerful images paying tribute to Floyd in German football league Bundesliga with BvB star Jadon Sancho coming up with the “Justice for George Floyd” shirt on the pitch. Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram also showed support for the Floyd as the 22-year-old took a knee after netting a goal for a 4-1 triumph against Union Berlin.
Louis Hamilton
The Formula 1, 6-time world Champ Hamilton was also among the stars who raised their voice for Floyd.
“I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice,” said Hamilton. “Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white dominated sport. I am one of the only people of color there yet I stand alone. I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can’t stand alongside us.”
In another post the F1 star wrote: “I don not stand with those looting and burning buildings but those who are protesting peacefully.”
Serena Williams
Remembering the murder of Floyd, 23-time Grand slam winner Serena Williams also vocalized about the killing of her community member. Through his Insta account, the tennis Diva posted a video featuring a young African American child opening up about how she feels treated differently because of the color of her skin.
Williams wrote: “I can’t and still can’t find the words to say or express how sad I feel … but she found them for me. She found them for so many of us. I am with a heavy heart. I am lost for words.”
Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka also added voice to US protests through her tweet: “Just because it is not happening to you doesn’t mean it is not happening at all.”
Osaka also called out others for choosing silence: “It’s funny to me that the people who wanna wear chains, blast hip-hop in the gym, attempt to get dapped up, and talk in slang are suddenly quiet right now.”
United States Tennis prodigy, Coco Gauff also contributed by speaking up for his community members as she posted a video captioning “I am using my voice to fight against racism. Am I next? I’m using my voice. Will you use yours?”
