Ole Miss Football Releases Statement on Friday’s Player Protest
OXFORD, Miss. — Following Friday morning’s team protest in the form of a march to the Square in Oxford, the Ole Miss football program has released the following statement:
“As the Ole Miss football family, we are committed to change. Police brutality and other injustices occurring across our nation have to end, and our team stands united to embrace our diversity and promote a culture of peace, equality and understanding. Regardless of our backgrounds, we all need to listen to each other and learn to respect and love our differences.”
Ole Miss Football
We stand united. pic.twitter.com/LNAFWBPO3g
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 28, 2020
The players’ protest was to draw attention to the issues surrounding the national debate on police brutality.
Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter also commented via twitter:
I support and admire our student-athletes who continue to take a stand against social injustices like the horrific events that occurred in Minnesota, Wisconsin and other parts of our nation. I want to thank our local authorities for helping make today’s peaceful march happen. https://t.co/yMYp69vR0H
— Keith Carter (@KeithCarterOM) August 28, 2020
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who marched with his players, also released a statement:
“I met with our leadership council last night and asked how they wanted to make their voices heard. It was good discussion, and this morning, the team decided to march in unity and use their platform to send a message. I’m proud of our players coming together for justice and change. We are going to continue to work together to improve the world around us for everyone.”
Coach Lane Kiffin
I’m proud of our players coming together for justice and change. We are going to continue to work together to improve the world around us, for everyone. https://t.co/1RUekwEgWB
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) August 28, 2020
Players weigh in
Ole Miss players also took to social media to make their thoughts and feelings known.
Stand Up For Nothing, Fall For Anything ✊🏾 #BLM pic.twitter.com/TS5x5WJst7
— Jacquez Jones (@ESPN_Jac) August 28, 2020
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater then these”
Mark 12:31 https://t.co/UCoe1lnpxy— John Rhys Plumlee (@PlumleeJohn) August 28, 2020
We did not walk out of practice. Our head coach gave us the choice to go peacefully make a change today instead of practice. He marched right along side of us. Much love to him❤️🤞🏾 https://t.co/6VeIXa3Iz5
— Jae Denton⁴ (@DentonJae) August 28, 2020
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
