Pro Sports

'Today we say no more': Jaguars march to sheriff's office

Posted June 05, 2020 7:00 am

By TERESA M. WALKER

Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football player Chris Conley addresses the crowd of teammates, staff and families on the steps of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office headquarters building, Friday morning, June 5, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla., as they protest against inequality and police brutality. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP) The Associated Press

The Jacksonville Jaguars protested against inequality and police brutality on Friday, marching from their stadium to the steps of the sheriff's department.

'œToday we say no more,'ť wide receiver Chris Conley said. 'œToday we see a nation that can't await change, a city that won't sit still or be quiet.'ť

The march included Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Linder and Josh Lambo of the Jaguars along with family members. Coach Doug Marrone, general manager Dave Caldwell and assistant coach Terry Robiskie also walked in what the team called an attempt to 'œraise awareness for racial injustices against the Black community,'ť with many wearing 'œBlack Lives Matter'ť T-shirts.

The Jaguars started their march at 9:04 a.m. local time to signify the local 904 area code.

The protest came two days after owner Shad Khan spoke against racism in a letter on the team website. He promised then the franchise would work toward a 'œtimely response.'ť Former Jaguars receiver Ernest Wilford, now an officer at the department, joined them on the steps at the sheriff's office.

Conley spoke at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He said he cried when he saw the video of the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who was jogging when killed Feb. 23 in Georgia.

Marrone said the Jaguars are working on actions they believe can make a difference. He also challenged the white community to step back, listen and learn.

'œLet's not make the same mistakes we've made,'ť Marrone said. 'œWe need to stand together white and black to make this movement work.'ť

With the NFL allowing only coaches to return to their offices Friday and players still working remotely because of the pandemic, several Jaguars could not take part in the march.

The team posted videos from a handful of players, including quarterback Gardner Minshew, linebacker Joe Schobert and defensive end Aaron Lynch. Schobert encouraged people to register to vote.

The Jaguars' protest is the latest involving professional athletes since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry marched in a protest Wednesday along with his wife and four teammates from the Golden State Warriors, including Klay Thompson. Shaq Thompson and four other Carolina Panthers walked in a protest march Monday in Charlotte, with Thompson helping lead the way.

On Thursday night, more than a dozen NFL stars united in a passionate video message to the league about racial inequality. The 70-second video released on social platforms included Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, Saquon Barkley, Michael Thomas, Odell Beckham Jr., Deshaun Watson, Ezekiel Elliott and DeAndre Hopkins among others.

On Saturday, several Denver Broncos and coaches plan to march to the Colorado capitol, the site of daily demonstrations. Safety Kareem Jackson organized the gathering after saying Tuesday that players need to do more than tweet and talk because they all see what's going on.

'œI think it's huge for us to be heard,'ť Jackson said Tuesday on a video call, 'œand it's huge for us to be out in the community so everyone can see us and know that we stand behind them.'ť

___

AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed to this report from Denver.

___

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Caroline Youell, 9 holds her Black Lives Matter sign as she joins Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football players and their staff and families in a rally on the steps of the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, Friday morning, June 5, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla., as they protest against inequality and police brutality. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP) The Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars assistant defensive line coach Dwayne Stukes walks with his family near the front of the line of players, staff and family members as they start a march from TIAA Bank Field to the Jacksonville Sheriff's office headquarters, Friday morning, June 5, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla., to protest against inequality and police brutality. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP) The Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis carries a sign as he walks with players, staff and their family during a march from TIAA Bank Field to the Jacksonville Sheriff's office headquarters Friday morning, June 5, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla., to protest against inequality and police brutality. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP) The Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars secondary coach Tim Walton holds a sign as he talks with defensive coordinator Tod Wash and head coach Doug Marrone before the start of a march from TIAA Bank Field to the Jacksonville Sheriff's office headquarters, Friday morning, June 5, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla., to protest against inequality and police brutality. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP) The Associated Press

Former Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football player Ernest Wilford, right, now a member of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, leads the Jaguars protest group to take a knee during a moment of silence on the steps of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office headquarters, Friday morning, June 5, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla., as they protest against inequality and police brutality. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP) The Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars players, staff and their families gather on the steps of the Jacksonville Sheriffs office headquarters building and listen to running backs coach Terry Robiskie speak, Friday morning, June 5, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla., to protest against inequality and police brutality. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Football NFL NHL Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.