Seahawks’ Russell Wilson condemns ongoing racism, says he fears for the lives of his kids
Russell Wilson sees no racial progress in our country. Not just over the years. Over a century.
The most prominent Seahawk and face of Seattle’s franchise went online Monday to react to the death of George Floyd, the 46-year-old black man who was pressed face down into a street under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer last week. Floyd’s death has sparked a week of protests across the country and has resulted in looting, fires and confrontations with police some of America’s major urban centers.
“I remember my dad and grandfather telling me vivid stories of the 50s and 60s regarding brutal acts of violence inflicted upon blacks. It seems we have been thrust back to those horrific events all over again in 2020,” Wilson posted on his Twitter account, a statement of white words on a black background.
“The reality is the past has never left us.”
Wilson, 31, and his wife Ciara have two children, a son and a daughter, with a third child on the way.
“I fear for their lives just like my grandmother feared for my dad’s life and the lives of her other children,” Wilson wrote. “I fear because of the color of their beautiful chocolate skin.
“We cannot continue to ignore racism as if it has ended, or never happened. The continual violence inflicted upon blacks and people of color must stop. We need a change now. We need love. We need compassion. We need grace and forgiveness even in the midst of the pain.”
Wilson, a veteran of eight NFL seasons, then called out the leaders of our communities, our cities, our states and our country.
“We need true leadership,” he wrote. “We need justice. We need equality. ...
“We can make a change. WE MUST MAKE A CHANGE. BLACK LIVES MATTER. God loves color. He loves us all. He loves you. He loves me.”
Wilson finished by quoting a biblical verse, 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Let us Do Everything in Love.”
Wilson became the latest, and highest-profile, Seahawks player to express his outrage, brokenheartedness and, in the case of Wilson this past weekend, the need for divine intervention.
The leading Seahawks, including recently retired wide receiver Doug Baldwin, characteristically have not sat by silently during the country’s extraordinary and sad time. They are speaking out as the nation shakes with protests and—including in downtown Seattle—violence, fires and looting.
This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 11:54 AM.
