As nationwide protests over the brutal killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin continue, athletes, coaches, and teams from around the sports world continue showing support for the movements against systematic racism and police brutality in the United States.
Both Bronco Mendenhall and Tony Bennett shared statements addressing the topic, and Virginia athletes — both past and present — like Malcolm Brogdon and Charles Snowden have gotten involved.
Members of the Virginia Men’s Basketball team posted a video to social media on Friday afternoon, sharing messages of unity and togetherness. All 17 players on the 2020-21 roster plus Coach Bennett participated, holding up pieces of paper with the phrase #UnityMeans on it.
The team is still scattered as a result of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, so all of the players are filming from their homes.
Jay Huff leads off the 1:25 video, and it concludes with a message from Coach Bennett. The sentiments vary from standing up to racial injustice and supporting those from other cultures. There are several new faces as Rice transfer Trey Murphy, first years Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Carson McCorkle, and Reece Beekman, and preferred walk-on Malachi Poindexter all participate.
Check out the full video here:
#UnityMeans @UVAMensHoops pic.twitter.com/gOQNSla7D0
— Justin McKoy (@justintmckoy) June 5, 2020