LSU Athletes Speak Out on Racial Injustice After George Floyd's Death

Mays, Burrow just a few of the past athletes making their voices heard

On Sunday afternoon, a peaceful protest in downtown Baton Rouge was held in the wake of the killing of George Floyd last week, which sparked national discussion about racial injustice. Athletes across all sports are making their voices heard, including those in the LSU community. 

Among those in the crowd on Sunday was former LSU basketball star Skylar Mays, who was in attendance with family members. Mays told WBRZ reporter Reggie Chatman that it was the first protest he'd ever been to and was glad that it went without violence.

I had a chance to go to the protest in Baton Rouge before having to anchor tonight.

While there, I ran into former #LSU basketball player Skylar Mays (@skylarmays4 ) who was happy to be part of the moment. @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/gv8Ymp6gIP

— Reggie Chatman Jr. (@ReggieChatman) June 1, 2020

"Just a lot of people coming together for a good cause, trying to create change the only way we know how. I'm glad it went peacefully," Mays told Chatman. "I have my sisters out here and this just means a lot to us, for our generation it's starting to become normal that black people are getting killed by cops. It's sad because there are a lot of great cops out here that do their job the right way."

Floyd was killed last Monday after being physically restrained by Minneapolis police due to an alleged forgery. Police officer Derek Chauvin held his knee on Floyd’s neck for several minutes. After repeatedly telling the officer he couldn’t breathe, Floyd later died.

Early Friday afternoon, Minneapolis Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington announced that Chauvin, who was fired, had been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The other three officers involved in the incident were fired but not arrested, and an investigation into their involvement is underway.

“It is my expectation that justice for the officers involved in this will be swift, that it will come in a timely manner, that it will be fair," Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said at a press conference in St. Paul.

Former LSU QB Joe Burrow, who was recently taken No. 1 in the NFL draft, released a statement on social media on Friday.

“The black community needs our help. They have been unheard for far too long. Open your ears, listen, and speak. This isn’t politics. This is human rights,” Burrow wrote on Twitter.

Here are just a few of the former LSU athletes who have voiced their opinions on racial inequality in the United States.

Joe Burrow

The black community needs our help. They have been unheard for far too long. Open your ears, listen, and speak. This isn’t politics. This is human rights.

— Joey Burrow (@JoeyB) May 29, 2020

K’Lavon Chaisson

Jarvis Landry

We need a end goal!!
We have stories that go on for thousands of years about the police brutality, racism, death!!! The protesters that’s out now are putting themselves in further danger and not without reason but what are we trying to accomplish??

— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) May 30, 2020

Odell Beckham Jr.

IM FRUSTRATED. More so because I don’t even kno how to speak or comment on this issue that’s been goin on for so long. I hate feeling defeated as if the words I wanna say will@never be enough to stop what’s goin on. I’m Tired. People are losing brothers sisters daughters

— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) May 30, 2020

Tyrann Mathieu

STAY WOKE DO NOT BE DISTRACTED

— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) May 27, 2020

Leonard Fournette

I’ve been woke https://t.co/oVAng5umnb

— 7⃣ Leonard Fournette (@_fournette) May 31, 2020