CLEVELAND – Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield plans to kneel during the national anthem next season to support protesting social injustice, police brutality and racism.
In response to a post from a fan on his Instagram account on Saturday who asked him not to kneel, Mayfield replied: “Pull your head off. I really. ″
Mayfield has openly talked about the need for more understanding and justice in the country following the murder of George Floyd, a black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis.
“This is a very important time for change,” Mayfield said on Thursday. “What is being handled now obviously has been going on for a long time. So now everyone has finally come together to overcome it. And do it the right way to hold people accountable.”
Mayfield wears a “I Can’t Breathe” shirt when I exercise. Then, he posted another message outlining his attitude while kneeling.
Baker MayfieldThe AP
“Everyone who is so upset with my comments doesn’t understand the reason behind kneeling in the first place,” Mayfield wrote. “I really respect the military, the police and the people who serve our country. It’s about equality and everyone is treated equally because we are all human. It’s been ignored for too long and it’s also my fault for not being more educated and staying silent. “
“If I lose a fan, it’s okay. I always speak in my mind. And that’s from the heart.”
On Friday, Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien said he would kneel with his players if they chose to do so during the national anthem.
Earlier this week, although not as far as O’Brien, Browns new coach Kevin Stefanski explained that he would support his players in a peaceful demonstration.
“My position is that I want to make sure I support our players,” Stefanski said. “First of all, I want to make sure I sit with them and talk. … I can only promise you this, we will spend as much time as needed to ensure that we are all on the same page and we are the united front of a player, staff, you name it (point of view). “
Stefanski attended a peaceful protest last weekend and has encouraged his players to “enter the arena.”
