Cal McNair wants to use his platform to empower black leaders in the community

Houston Texans CEO Cal McNair wants to use his platform to empower black leaders to help educate people on the issues with police brutality and the racial divide.

Houston Texans CEO Cal McNair released a statement through a video on social media discussing the recent killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Floyd, a native of Houston, Texas, was killed by former police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes during an arrest. A cell phone video of the killing sparked national outrage and a deeper issue of police brutality aimed towards black Americans.

Earlier in the day, head coach Bill O'Brien made a strong statement condemning the actions of the police on the killing of George Floyd and offered his support to the African-American community. 

McNair in a video said the following statement. 

After watching and listening to many important stories. I would like to speak straight from the heart. We're all mourning the recent tragic deaths, George (Floyd), Breonna (Taylor), and Ahmaud (Arbrey) and we'll continue to pray for their families. 

I must acknowledge that this is not a recent issue. This has been a pervasive and mostly silent problem for the past 400 plus years. Our Texas players and their families have endured injustices for years. Like others who have spoken, I believe that these injustices cannot continue. 

As someone who has a platform to enact change. I'm going to do so through my actions, rather than my words. I recognize that I have many young black male voices that I can listen to. During direct conversations with them, I will listen more than talk and seek to understand. I acknowledge that after I'm done giving the statement, I have the privilege to continue going about my day feeling safe. 

Given that reality from here on forward. I will make it a priority for this awareness to become a part of the fabric of the Houston Texans, And I want to name what that will look like. What I envisioned is to use a platform of the Texans to empower black leaders in the community to speak and educate the Texans community. 

I spoke with a former player yesterday. He left me with a powerful sentiment. "Knowledge is power." Thank you.

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