The Green Bay Packers took another bold step in the real life drama of “follow the leader” in the increasingly disruptive social justice debate in this country.
The leaders were the Milwaukee Bucks, whose boycott of game five in their first round NBA playoff series against the Orlando Magic Wednesday led to the NBA postponing two more games, to the Milwaukee Brewers calling off their game against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park, two other big league games shutting down, the WNBA saying forget it and MLS playing only one of five scheduled matches.
The dominoes tumbled because the Bucks took their stand to demand action in the latest in the seemingly never ending run of police shootings involving black men. Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer last Sunday and remains hospitalized. Violent protests erupted in the city just south of Milwaukee where two more people were killed this week, alledgedly by a 17 year old Illinois boy who came armed to the demonstration.
Today, the Packers first postponed, then announced they had cancelled their training camp practice and all player media availability.
It was left to the Head Coach, Matt LaFleur, to explain the decision and field questions for another twenty minutes. Here is his opening statement and an answer to a question I posed. I asked LaFleur there have been T-shirts worn, social media posts, statements galore but what is the realistic end game to a movement that has engulfed pro sports this week?
In a way, I feel for LaFleur. He’s a second year NFL Head Coach, still a young man. I’m sure he never imagined this would be part of his job, yet he has been thrust into the role of Packer spokesman in the volatile political, racial and social justice discussion.
As for practice Friday? LaFleur said his staff and players will meet again tonight to talk it over and make a decision. Not a single player would have objected to practicing today but after another lengthy discussion about what’s ailing this state and country, it was LaFleur who determined, the conversation was too emotional to have his guys think about running around a now, political football field.
