John Elway said he no longer stayed on the sidelines and “joined our players, coaches and organizations in speaking out against racism, police brutality and injustice against the black community.”
The comments from the Denver Broncos general manager came in a long Twitter post on a tumultuous weekend where his head coach, Vic Fangio, drew widespread criticism for suggesting he did not see racism or discrimination in the NFL on Tuesday.
Fangio apologized a day later, saying that he only intended to suggest the league as a meritocracy on the pitch and in the dressing room and should recognize the lack of minority head coaches, general managers, team presidents, and owners in the country’s most popular sports.
On Friday night, Elway tweeted that he spent most of the week listening to his players and coaches and realizing his view that he held on to decades was wrong.
“I always thought that since I grew up in the dressing room, I knew everything there was to know about understanding teammates from various backgrounds and backgrounds,” Elway wrote. “What I realized is that I could not be wrong.
John ElwayThe AP
“Listening to players and reading their social media, the strength they have shown and the experience they have shared are very strong. That has influenced me. I realize I still have a long way to go, but I will continue to listen and learn, “Elway added. “That’s the only way to grow. I truly believe many good things will come from many difficult conversations that take place around our team, league and country. “
Elway later said that he fully supported his players using their platform to call for change and he suggested that sport could be more than a distraction at a difficult time: “We can all be part of the solution,” he said.
“I also understand that my voice needs to be part of this conversation as well,” added Elway, who led Denver to two Super Bowl titles during his career playing Hall of Fame and another from the front office for decades as an executive.
“I won’t stay on the sidelines,” Elway said. “Everyone has a responsibility to help those who are injured. I join our players, coaches and organizations in speaking out against racism, police brutality and any injustice against the black community. “
Some Broncos players and coaches are expected to gather Saturday for marches and speeches in the state capital in downtown Denver, the site of daily demonstrations since the death of George Floyd. Four officers have been fired and charged with murder.
Safety Broncos Kareem Jackson led the effort, saying players need to do more than tweet and talk about systemic racism, social injustice and police brutality.
It is unknown whether Elway will join the players in the state capital.
