The NFL and numerous teams in the league on Tuesday reacted to the guilty verdict against former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin by echoing the leftist narrative.
The league and teams like the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and the Washington Football Team all released statements that said they agreed with the guilty verdict while also painting the nation as racist.
“Our hearts remain with the Floyd family, and we understand the pain, anger and frustration does not go away even when justice is delivered,” a statement from the NFL said. The league added that “we must continue to help move our society toward a more equal and just tomorrow.”
— NFL (@NFL) April 20, 2021
The Buffalo Bills said the “fight to end racism and hate in our country continues.”
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 20, 2021
“While the verdict was a step toward justice, we still have a long way to go in the equitable treatment of communities of color,” read a statement from the 49ers.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 20, 2021
“While today’s decision does not minimize the anguish or solve the intolerable issues of racism and hate, we hope it can mark the beginning of community healing,” the Vikings said, adding, “We must address the unacceptable continued violence and hate toward People of Color and commit to using our individual and collective voices to end the divisiveness and racial injustice.”
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 20, 2021
The Washington Football Team released a statement saying that the guilty verdict “sends a long overdue message that those who perpetrate the mistreatment of communities of color can and will be held accountable.”
Our players and our organization have come together over the last year to support equity and justice in our community. In response to today’s verdict in Minneapolis, we share this perspective: pic.twitter.com/cOgdkXqbUz
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 20, 2021
On Tuesday, a jury found Chauvin guilty of all three charges he was facing: second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in relation to the death of George Floyd.
On May 25, Chauvin and three other officers arrested and detained Floyd after he allegedly gave counterfeit money at a convenience store. Following a struggle to get Floyd into the back of a police cruiser, viral video shows that Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck and back for nearly nine minutes to detain Floyd while awaiting paramedics.
Chauvin’s attorney Eric Nelson argued during the trial that Floyd’s drug use and bad heart were crucial factors in his death and that Chauvin used reasonable force through an authorized prone hold. The Hennepin County medical examiner revealed that Floyd’s autopsy showed the deceased had potentially lethal levels of drugs in his system.
Nelson on Monday unsuccessfully asked Judge Peter Cahill for a mistrial. But during his discussion with the judge, Nelson referenced recent comments made by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) that seemingly encouraged violence if Chauvin is not convicted. With regard to a mistrial, Judge Cahill dismissed the argument from the defense attorney, but he did blast the congresswoman and told Nelson she could have given him a lane for an appeal.
It’s expected that Chauvin’s defense team will appeal the verdict.
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