Justice. Elation. Bittersweet. Accountability. Relief. Skepticism. There were a lot of one-word reactions around the sports world to former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin being found guilty Tuesday on murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd last year.
“Thank God…guilty! Justice has been served!!” Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson tweeted after a jury of six White, four Black and two multiracial jurors rendered their verdict after nine hours of deliberation.
ACCOUNTABILITY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 20, 2021
Thank you JURY!!! ACCOUNTABILITY
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) April 20, 2021
Yes!!!!
— Warren Sapp (@WarrenSapp) April 20, 2021
Former Giants manager Dusty Baker, in his second year as the Astros manager, was much more hopeful than ecstatic after hearing the verdict.
“It’s never a time to celebrate when someone’s killed. My thoughts and prayers go to the Floyd family. Maybe this’ll help us heal and we’ll cease with the violence,” Baker said.
Dusty Baker on Derek Chauvin found guilty on all charges: “It’s never a time to celebrate when someone’s killed. My thoughts and prayers go to the Floyd family. Maybe this’ll help us heal and we’ll cease with the violence.” pic.twitter.com/Eg9yAt8MAU
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 20, 2021
The overwhelming sense from athletes and coaches alike is that while the verdict is a victory for social justice, it’s a reminder there’s still a long way to go to solve racial inequality in our judicial system.
Floyd’s death was witnessed around the world when a cell phone video showed then-Officer Chauvin causing the unarmed Black man’s death by kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, yet there wasn’t an overwhelming sense of confidence justice would be served. From Rodney King’s notorious beating 30 years ago to the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor and Daunte Wright, justice for Black people who were beaten or killed at the hands of police officers has been lacking.
Former Warrior Matt Barnes is among those hoping Tuesday’s verdict will pave the way for justice to be served in the future.
“Condolences to the Floyd Family. This is just the first stop of starting to change a broken system,” Barnes said on his Instagram story.
Langston Walker, a former Bishop O’Dowd High star offensive lineman who played for the Oakland Raiders during a nine-year NFL career, echoed Barnes’ thoughts.
“No one (I) know is happy. I’m thankful for justice for the Floyd family, but still angry for all the others,” Walker tweeted. “Where is their justice? Why do we have to go this far to be treated like humans and citizens under the eyes of the law?”
Jeremy Lin, the former Palo Alto High star who has dealt with racism during his basketball career, says the fight for justice is far from over.
“A good start but the path for justice doesn’t end here by any means,” Lin tweeted, while adding the hashtag #presson.
New 49ers edge rusher Samson Ekuban indicated the judicial system didn’t go far enough in seeking justice for Floyd’s senseless death.
“I wanna know (how it was) unintentional. (Chauvin) knew what he was doing, needs to be 1st degree,” Ekuban tweeted.
Justice 🙏🏾
— andrew wiggins (@22wiggins) April 20, 2021
I hate that we have to celebrate something like this but justice isn’t something we are used to in this country
— Jordan Bell (@1jordanbell) April 20, 2021
Yes!!!!
— Warren Sapp (@WarrenSapp) April 20, 2021
I can’t believe what I just saw. They finally got one case right. GUILTY!!! Prayers up for the Floyd family.
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) April 20, 2021
On all accounts. Period.
— Nneka Ogwumike (@nnekaogwumike) April 20, 2021
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Kirk Morrison (@kirkmorrison) April 20, 2021
Guilty verdict hurt the soul
— Travis Benjamin (@TravisBenjamin3) April 20, 2021
The Raiders released a tone-deaf statement via Twitter, transforming the dying words of both Floyd and Eric Garner, a Black man who died in 2014 at the hands of New York police.
“I can breathe,” the Raiders wrote, dated Tuesday.
Nets coach Steve Nash and Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy, both of whom have Bay Area ties and have been strong advocates for social and racial justice, were thankful for the verdict.
“It is a small gesture of justice and possibly hope for the future that perhaps all the social justice movements – the NBA, WNBA and community at large are really making an impact whether it’s small and creating a tipping point or whether it’s large,” said Nash, the onetime Santa Clara star. “It gives hope that the voices of many are making change and we have a better future for our kids.”
Van Gundy, who grew up in Martinez and was a star basketball player at Alhambra High, also stressed the verdict is just a beginning.
“Justice was done, but it’s hard to celebrate. It’s hard to celebrate because it doesn’t bring back George Floyd,” Van Gundy said. “We had somebody needlessly killed right in front of us. It was right in front of all of us because we could see it on video. No verdict is going to change that.”
Bay Area sports teams released statements showing solidarity while applauding the jury’s decision in Minnesota. In part, here are their reactions:
Warriors: “We are encouraged that the jury in Minneapolis earlier today moved quickly to impose accountability where it is so often missing. However, we realize this is only the beginning, and our communities and our country will need to continue to move forward with purposeful meaning and action in an effort to achieve racial justice in America. … Overall, today was a step in the right direction, but the long journey must continue.”49ers: “As an organization that serves an important role in our community, the 49ers have a responsibility to speak out against racism and hate. While the verdict in Minnesota is a step towards justice, we still have a long way to go in the equitable treatment of communities of color. We will continue to use our platform to drive awareness, spark conversation, and inspire action.”
A’s: “Before we take the field tonight versus the Twins, our thoughts continue to be with George Floyd’s family, the Minneapolis community, and others impacted by violence. The jury’s decision is an important step in addressing systemic racism, and we are heartened that there is accountability for George Floyd’s death.”
Giants: “We continue to keep George Floyd’s family in our thoughts and prayers and we hope today’s verdict will give them some peace during this difficult time. Today’s decision was a meaningful step, and we are committed to continuing to work to advance equity and justice and in ending all forms of hate in our communities.”
Sharks: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Floyd family. While today’s verdict may help heal some grieving hearts, one verdict does not change the systemic racism, which must be eradicated. There is still much work to be done to achieve true justice.”
Meanwhile, University of California-Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ was appreciative that a measure of justice was served.
“Today, 12 jurors made it clear that Black lives do matter, yet there can be no doubt that still, for too many, too often, they do not,” Christ said.
