If you know me, you know I'm Notre Dame fan...There are a few other college football programs I consider myself a fan of...I guess a closet fan...One of those is Kansas State...A lot of that is how former coach Bill Snyder built and ran the program for years and did more with less talent then the big guns of the conference...How they did things the right way instead doing whatever shady shit just to win...There's integrity in the program...And now the players are showing it and being the ones leading by example...
Freshman Cornerback Tee Denson came out last week and said he would "refuse to play for a program that tolerates ignorance such as this." After a Kansas State student, Jaden McNeil tweeted about George Floyd's death saying, "Congratulations to George Floyd on being drug free for an entire month!"
Sophomore WR, Joshua Youngblood and Senior DB Walter Neil Jr. also tweeted that they would not play or practice until McNeil was removed from K-State...This lead to players writing a letter to the University that they also shared on Social Media....
“We are demanding that Kansas State University put a policy in place that allows a student to be dismissed for displaying openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions toward a student or groups of students. We have resolved that we cannot play, practice or meet until these demands are heard and actions taken. We love Kansas State, but we must stand together and protect all students moving forward.”
This letter was followed up with full throated support from Head Football Coach, Chris Klieman who tweeted, “Racism is NOT welcome at KSTATE now or in the future. ... I am excited to help every player unite for the solution NOW, so that we can come together stronger than ever. Black Lives Matter,”
Other Kansas State athletes have followed suit, including men's and women's basketball players...As we all know, cash is king and College Football and Basketball fund Universities entire athletic departments...
University officials say they are "exploring their options" to deal with McNeil....University President Richard Myers said, "We condemn racism and bigotry in all its forms. Black Lives Matter at Kansas State University and we will continue to fight for social justice."
Wednesday Kansas State announced they are launching a diversity and education fund to address racial injustice....The fund lets boosters put money directly into initiatives for the athletic department that "actively seek inclusive and diverse community through educational programming and support of all student-athletes, coaches and staff."
The University also said that student-athletes, coaches and staff will have mandatory diversity and inclusion training that will include monthly town hall meetings...making stronger efforts to recruit applicants from diverse backgrounds for staff and coaching positions...Use home games to support the Black Lives Matter movement...And providing transportation for student-athletes on Election Day...
I hope this all isn't window dressing on the University's part...I'm glad they are responding...I hope they are responding because it's right and not just because they are afraid of losing their big revenue streams...
For the athletes...This is what is an example about what is great about America...Why the First Amendment is important...What is great about protests...Standing up for what you believe in...Standing up for what is right...I applaud the young men and women at Kansas State...Keep on fighting for what's right!
No comments:
Post a Comment