Sports World Reaction To Chauvin’s Guilty Verdict
Yesterday was a historic day. The world (mainly the US) was waiting to hear what the verdict would be in the Derek Chauvin trial. Shortly after 5 PM, the verdict came out as guilty on all three charges. The charges were second-degree manslaughter, third-degree manslaughter, and second-degree unintentional murder. After the ruling, just about everyone took to social media to share their reaction, athletes and teams included. April 20th, 2021 will forever be historic as the day accountability finally took place.
MLB reaction
— MLB (@MLB) April 20, 2021
MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark issued the following statement pic.twitter.com/3xmGIM1qem
— MLB Players (@MLB_PLAYERS) April 20, 2021
These are the statements from the MLB and MLB Player Assocation. The MLB speaks for everyone in the league with their statement. All players want the same thing. They want equality and they want help people heal that were affected by everything.
NHL reaction
National Hockey League Statement following today’s verdict in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/hODghaQ25H
— NHL (@NHL) April 20, 2021
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 20, 2021
This statement did not sit well with many. Some say this was too short. Other’s say that it lacked density. Did the NHL get their point across in their statement? Yes. Should there have been more? Also yes. I’ll spare my personal thoughts. But, I will say in short, they should have added more. But, I do understand what they are saying. However, they needed to add more to this. It is nice though that they even made a statement in the first place however.
As for the Wild, this hits home for them. The Wild along with the other athletes and teams in Minnesota want to help everyone in the community heal. Now that Chauvin is being held accountable, it’s time for healing.
NFL reaction
— NFL (@NFL) April 20, 2021
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 21, 2021
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 21, 2021
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 20, 2021
They Could’ve said anything else . This is not a sigh of relief. That wasn’t justice, it was a accountability. This is so disrespectful! https://t.co/tg7UoFEehM
— AJ Brown (@1kalwaysopen_) April 21, 2021
There’s a lot to take in with the statements made by the teams of the NFL, the NFL itself and the players. The NFL and teams (except for the Raiders and Titans), made powerful, emotional statements. All statements are saying that the work is just getting started. Yes, this is only the beginning. All statements are meaningful, but by far the Vikings statement has the most meaning. Just like the Wild, the Vikings are ready to help heal the community.
Okay, as for the Raiders, this isn’t good. AJ Brown was one of many who voiced their displeasure of this statement that just says, “I Can Breathe.” Raiders owner Mark Davis said that he did not mean to disrespect anyone and that he took the lead from George Floyd’s brother Philonise who said that, “Today, we are able to breathe.” Davis would also go on to say that the statement will not be taken down despite everyone wanting the statement to be taken down the Raiders release a new statement.
NBA reaction
NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following joint statement today: pic.twitter.com/r0XQkLssOb
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2021
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 20, 2021
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 21, 2021
ACCOUNTABILITY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 20, 2021
🙏🏽🙏🏽.. Long Overdue.
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) April 20, 2021
“I’m just glad they did the right thing.”
Paul George (@Yg_Trece) reacts to the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. pic.twitter.com/UPyVtkEG6m
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 21, 2021
"This is a step in the right direction, but we still have so much more to go."@Candace_Parker shares her thoughts on the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. pic.twitter.com/FiSMhSFZUa
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 20, 2021
"The fact that we're sitting there not knowing what's going to happen, that still means we have a long way to go."@SHAQ on Derek Chauvin's conviction for the murder of George Floyd. pic.twitter.com/QU8WKmYiNP
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 21, 2021
The NBA has done so much off the floor advocating for equal rights for everyone. Just about everyone in the NBA expressed that they were happy that there was accountability. There’s more work to do and it’s going to take some time, but everyone is ready for the next steps.
WNBA
The following was released by the WNBA. pic.twitter.com/KWF4mkr6mf
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 20, 2021
Yes, Gianna Floyd, your Dad has changed the world.#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/cbLC1gtVjB
— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) April 20, 2021
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) April 20, 2021
The world was watching. Accountability was the first step !! They got it right… GUILTY !!! #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
— Crystal Dangerfield (@crystald2_) April 20, 2021
The statements made by the WNBA and WNBA Players Association speak volume. Especially the WNBA Players Association. It’s makes reference to Floyd’s daughter Gianna, who was on video saying that “Daddy changed the world.” Even though it’s the beginning of the process, she’s right, the world is finally changing.
Final thoughts
Accountability. That’s what stands out. It’s sad to think that I was watching the verdict yesterday thinking there was a chance that there was going to be a not guilty verdict. I’m happy the jury got this right. But, just like what everyone else is saying, there’s more work to be done. George Floyd’s life mattered. Black Lives Matter.
-Matt Burnett (@mattthew_jordan on Twitter)