LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. - The Washington Football Team has canceled its Thursday practice to instead engage in discussion about social injustice.
The decision is made in the wake of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, being shot by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Aug. 23.
In a team statement, head coach Ron Rivera stated:
"Jason Wright and I worked this afternoon to develop a response that has the right balance between the business of football and being truly thoughtful about the social injustice we witnessed with this latest incident in Wisconsin. We went to Mr. Snyder with our plan for tomorrow and we were given his complete support and approval.
"Friday we can return to football. But tomorrow will be about reflection instead. In place of our practice at FedExField, the players, coaches and football staff will meet as a football family and we will continue our open dialogue on the issues of racism and social injustice in our country. Mr. Snyder and Jason will join us in our discussion with the team tomorrow, just as Mr. Snyder and I will support Jason in similar discussions we are planning for members of the business and stadium side of the organization. We are all in this together. And as a team we will work to figure out ways that we can make a positive impact in our communities."
