NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell releases statement saying the league is "greatly saddened" by the recent high-profile killings of black people in the U.S., including George Floyd
NFL's Goodell releases statement saying league is "greatly saddened" by killings of black people in the U.S.
SHOWS: INTERNET (MAY 30, 2020) (STIL IMAGES-MUTE) (SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE - ACCESS ALL) 1.
STILL IMAGE OF NFL'S TWITTER PAGE SHOWING STATEMENT ON RECENT KILLINGS OF GEORGE FLOYD AND OTHER BLACK PEOPLE IN THE U.S. 2.
STILL IMAGE OF NFL'S STATEMENT, SAYING: "The NFL is greatly saddened by the tragic events across our country.
The protesters' reactions to these incidents reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel.
Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Mr. George Floyd and to those who have lost loved ones, including the families of Ms. Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, the cousin of Tracy Walker of the Detroit Lions.
As current events dramatically underscore, there remains much more to do as a country and as a league.
These tragedies inform the NFL's commitment and our ongoing efforts.
There remains an urgent need for action.
We recognize the power of our platform in communites and as part of the fabric of American society.
We embrace that responsibility and are committed to continuing the important work to address systemic issues together with our players, clubs and partners." NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE - OCTOBER 18, 2017) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 3.
NFL COMMISSIONER, ROGER GOODELL SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE STORY: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Saturday the league is "greatly saddened" by the recent high-profile killings of black people in the United States, including George Floyd, whose death after being pinned down by a white police officer in Minneapolis has led to widespread protests.
Floyd, 46, died on Monday after police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee to his throat despite Floyd's repeated pleas for him to stop.
Chauvin was fired on Tuesday and arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter on Friday.
Outrage over the incident has led to protests, some of them violent, in major U.S. cities the past four nights.
"The NFL family is greatly saddened by the tragic events across our country," Goodell said in a statement.
"The protesters' reactions to these incidents reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel." Goodell offered his deepest condolences to Floyd's family as well as the families of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police in Kentucky, and Ahmaud Arbery, who died after being shot by a white man while out for a run in Georgia.
Goodell noted that Arbery's cousin Tracy Walker plays for the Detroit Lions.
"As current events dramatically underscore, there remains much more to do as a country and as a league," Goodell said.
"These tragedies inform the NFL's commitment and our ongoing efforts.
Goodell said there remains an urgent need for action and said the league recognizes the power of its platform in communities and as part of the "fabric of American society." "We embrace that responsibility and are committed to continuing the important work to address these systemic issues together with our players, clubs and partners." (Production: David Grip)