While protests continue to take place throughout the United States, the Los Angeles Rams are among the teams to stand in solidarity by using their platform to denounce the death of George Floyd.
The restrictions placed in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have limited teams to preparing their players for the 2020 NFL season through a virtual offseason program. The fact that the Rams have ushered in some significant changes to their coaching staff already presents its own set of challenges.
Regardless, head coach Sean McVay is well aware of the impact that Floyd’s death had on his team. As a result, he made sure that his players had their chance to address the reality of the situation during their latest virtual meeting.
According to Stu Jackson of the team’s official website, McVay discussed the importance of allowing the players to let their voice be heard as well as educating themselves and himself on the issues at hand during a video call that included 125 people:
“Sports has provided such a unique background for me because of the different, diverse groups and people you get exposed to, where these prejudices, these stereotypes can totally be erased and eliminated and you get to just know people for who they are and love people,” McVay said. “And that’s what’s great about sports. That’s where, in some instances, as you reflect on all the things that are going on, it’s been eye-opening for me because you don’t ever really think about it as, you just love people, but you’re really saying, ‘Am I asking the right questions to try to really have that empathy and understanding?'”
It is certainly encouraging to see that McVay was willing to prioritize his players’ mental well-being in the aftermath of Floyd’s death. Although there is plenty of work to be done both on and off the field, it is imperative that the Rams organization as a whole is on the same page when it comes to addressing racial injustice and promoting police reform.
McVay had his first brush of dealing with on-field protests back in 2017 when Robert Quinn wanted to make a demonstration for social justice during the national anthem. Although he insisted that Quinn stand for the anthem, he did allow the veteran to express himself by raising a fist.
McVay may need to loosen his restrictions if he wants to help his players truly inspire change by using the platform at their disposal to its fullest extent, and he says he is willing to do that:
“It would be extremely silly of me, if I’m sitting here saying that I’m going to listen, to learn, and try to have an empathy and an understanding, to not allow guys the platform if they feel like it’s the right way to represent the healing and some of those solutions that we’re looking to,” McVay said.
It is good to see that McVay is not only using this time to help his players better themselves, but also for him to get better and educate himself as the leader of the Rams.
