Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs tweeted in support of their players in the Black Lives Matter movement.
It’s a start.
On Thursday night, legions of NFL players released a 71-second video telling the league it wants support in the Black Lives Matter movement. Towards the end, the athletes ask the NFL to say the following:
‘We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people. We, the National Football League, admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter’”
Including among the array of stars in the piece were a pair of Kansas City Chiefs; quarterback Patrick Mahomes and safety Tyrann Mathieu.
Hours later, the Chiefs official Twitter account expressed support for both Mahomes, Mathieu, and the rest of the squad.
However, the Chiefs still have plenty of ground to cover before their words reach the correct threshold. In its statement on the recent string of racial injustice from law enforcement against people of color, Kansas City didn’t mention the words police brutality. The Chiefs have also yet to mention the words “Black Lives Matter” in a statement or tweet of any kind.
Still, throwing support by their players is a positive step towards both the NFL’s individual clubs and the league itself stepping up in a long overdue effort to help combat racism across America.
Now it’s time for Kansas City and the league to listen to its players, and take the critical next steps in this journey.