Detroit Lions Cancel Practice to Protest Jacob Blake Shooting

Overtime Heroics Editorial

1837 days ago

In a surprise move, the Lions canceled practice Tuesday after it’s start time was moved back twice. The players instead talked to the media about their frustration with the incident involving Jacob Blake. Blake is a 29-year old African American man who was shot seven times in the back by police. The team talked about Blake for about four hours with each other.

Head coach Matt Patrica said he did not feel right telling the team to go practice after the conversations he had with the team. “Some things are bigger than football,” he said. Patrica said he started the team meeting with his own comments on the subject, and the players took it from there.

Tim Twentyman’s photo from Lions practice facility in Allen Park.

Players made public comments as well, like franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford, “There has been a lot of days in my life I’ve been proud to be a Detroit Lion, but there’s never been a day I’ve been more proud than today.”.

Lions starting safety Duron Harmon said “Football is not important today.”

“Matt Patricia points to something Taylor Decker said about how football is about people from all over the country and all walks of life, different beliefs, pushing towards one goal. “Why isn’t that like that everywhere?” Quote obtained from Dave Birkett on Twitter.

So proud of the stance Matt Patricia and the entire @Lions team took today. Let them be an example for all of us that no longer can the status quo be tolerated. It has to stop here, with you, me, all of us together. #OneTeam

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) August 25, 2020