KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs have 13 more days to prepare for the 2020 NFL opener.
That platform, and the captive audience that comes along with it, is one the team says they won’t take for granted in the wake of demands around the sports world for equality.
“That can be my father. That can be my uncle. That can be me,” Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton said Friday in reaction to Jacob Blake’s shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“I don't know why it's so hard to get treated fairly,” he finished.
The team spoke candidly on issues of race Friday, as the defending champs prepare to raise a championship banner in front of a limited number of fans at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.
Last practice at the team facility today before the #Chiefs training camp finale Saturday at Arrowhead. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/rjHJ3mJEuM
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladd0) August 28, 2020
“If they think that another Black man isn't going to get killed by a police officer, I feel like everyone's confused,” defensive end Frank Clark said. “It's just at this point we have to do something about it.”
Two of KC’s most notable Chiefs spent parts of the offseason pushing for voter registration efforts locally, regionally and nationally.
“I'm very proud of the fact of what we're doing,” offensive coordinator Eric Beiniemy said. “It's about time that we started having voter registration. Kudos to Pat, kudos to Tyrann.”
Players were non-committal on a formal demonstration or protest planned for the September 10 season opener, but say discussions are ongoing.
“We're going to support our players 120% in everything that they do,” Bieniemy said.
