There have been several quarterbacks throughout the NFL that have used their platform to stand in solidarity against racial injustice following the death of George Floyd.
The Los Angeles Rams were among the teams to make sure that their players had a chance to address the reality of the situation during one of their virtual meetings that included 125 people. Head coach Sean McVay has also since acknowledged the importance of getting educated on the issues and allowing players to raise awareness in order to help make an impact.
It is no secret that quarterback Jared Goff carries plenty of weight when it comes to representing the team on their behalf. He is now using his status as a leader and franchise player to ensure that his teammates have his full support.
Goff feels it is imperative for people of his status to get involved in helping to spark a change in society and is on board with whatever the team decides to do make that change possible, via Lindsey Thiry of ESPN:
“The people of color have been fighting for this for so long and wanting change and as a white person, as a white athlete – again you have an idea it’s happening, but it truly doesn’t hit you the way it does until something like this happens… for us to be able to speak out and make a stand, it can change things and it’s important… I want to be a part of that change and a part of that action that’s going to be taking place.”
As one of the faces of the Rams’ franchise, it is important for a player like Goff to do his part in helping to raise awareness on issues of social injustice. His role in assisting the team with its efforts to usher in change with the community will certainly pay huge dividends for him both on and off the field.
Among the other notable quarterbacks throughout the league that have taken action include the Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan, who has donated $500,000 to a GoFundMe account with the goal of $2 million to help advance lives in the underserved communities of Atlanta.
These actions come in stark contrast to quarterbacks like New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees and the Buffalo Bills’ Jake Fromm. Brees has since walked back on his statements regarding player protests during the national anthem while Fromm issued an apology for his narrow thoughts on gun owner clientele.
