San Francisco 49ers' Chief Executive Officer Jed York says the team is donating $1 million to "local and national organizations who are creating change," following the nationwide protests in response to George Floyd's death.
"People throughout our country are hurting," York said in a statement posted on Twitter. "Emotions are raw, and rightfully so. Heinous acts have been committed in recent weeks. Before we are able to realize impactful change, we must first have the courage and compassion as human beings to come together and acknowledge the problem: Black men, women, children, and other oppressed minorities continue to be systematically discriminated against.
"The 49ers organization is committing to support the legislative priorities of the Players Coalition and to donating $1 million dollars to local and national organizations who are creating change."
In 2016, the 49ers matched a $1 million donation made by the team's former quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, to Bay Area charities.
Floyd died Monday, May 25, after a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for several minutes. Video of the incident shows Floyd attempted to indicate his inability to breathe, but officers ignored him. The death has sparked protests in cities across the United States.
Saturday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement on behalf of the league regarding Floyd's death.
[Via]
