Georgetown's men's basketball coach Patrick Ewing and Maryland's men's basketball coach Mark Turgeon released statements following the death of George Floyd on Monday.
Floyd, a black man, died after Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes. His death has sparked civil unrest across the country.
We have a responsibility and a platform to speak out against racism and injustice.
We will not be silent. We will not ignore senseless violence and brutality. We will be a part of the solution.
We stand with those mourning the death of George Floyd and countless others who have senselessly lost their lives in tragic acts of racial injustice. It's time for our voices to be heard.
As I have discussed the horrific death of George Floyd the last few days privately with both my team and family, I have come to understand that as a leader of black young men it is imperative to extend the reach of my voice.
In the words of human rights activist Desmond Tutu, 'If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.'
Discussing the matter with my team and family is not enough. It can't be enough.
The recent senseless deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and countless others has sickened me to my core. I want to express my condolences to all affected.
We are all in this together and we must work to rid our country of injustices and racism. It will take real work. It starts with never forgetting these moments. It also means committing ourselves to further education in racism and social injustice.
Over the coming days and weeks our team will read 'Why We Can't Wait' by Martin Luther King Jr. and discuss each chapter to better understand systematic racism and what we can do to fix it. We will hold each other accountable in developing meaningful next steps.
This is an unbelievably challenging time in our country in so many ways. We should support all communities that have been impacted by these tragedies, including those impacted by social injustices and also the men and women of law enforcement who do serve their communities with honor and respect. We must stand together and unite now more than ever.
The two coaches are a part of many members of the sports community that have made statement's on Floyd's death and the ensuing protests. A group including LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Bradley Beal and Richard Sherman have spoken out on social media.
Chauvin and the three other officers involved in the incident were fired. Chauvin was later arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
