BleedGopher
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per Wald:
Minneapolis became the epicenter of civil unrest earlier this year after George Floyd’s death, which resulted in the firing of four police officers and murder charges being filed against Derek Chauvin.
Demonstrations and rioting in Minneapolis followed, and the off-season got a lot busier for University of Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck. Already managing his players virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down spring football, life suddenly became much bigger than touchdowns and Big Ten titles.
Fleck got on his phone and called every single Gophers player after Floyd’s death. He organized a Zoom all with players’ parents, and later got the entire team together. Many of his players are Black, and Floyd’s death hit them each in a different way.
The team now has weekly HERE conversations. At one earlier this season, Rashod Bateman stood up and spoke about being in a mixed race relationship in high school. His girlfriend at the time was white, and her parents didn’t approve. They had to hide it, using caution about where and when they were seen together.
Others have spoken about being nervous or scared when pulled over by police. One wrong move, and they may not make it home alive.
The talks are still relatively new, but Durr says they’re bringing an already tight-knit team closer together.
“It’s different hearing something on TV than hearing it from a brother you’re around every day. Just getting those guys up to speed and educated on what’s really going on in America and why certain things are happening,” Durr said. “It’s been a blessing, I really respect Coach Fleck for allowing us to share our experiences and have that uncomfortable conversation with everybody.”
www.fox9.com
Go Gophers!!
Minneapolis became the epicenter of civil unrest earlier this year after George Floyd’s death, which resulted in the firing of four police officers and murder charges being filed against Derek Chauvin.
Demonstrations and rioting in Minneapolis followed, and the off-season got a lot busier for University of Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck. Already managing his players virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down spring football, life suddenly became much bigger than touchdowns and Big Ten titles.
Fleck got on his phone and called every single Gophers player after Floyd’s death. He organized a Zoom all with players’ parents, and later got the entire team together. Many of his players are Black, and Floyd’s death hit them each in a different way.
The team now has weekly HERE conversations. At one earlier this season, Rashod Bateman stood up and spoke about being in a mixed race relationship in high school. His girlfriend at the time was white, and her parents didn’t approve. They had to hide it, using caution about where and when they were seen together.
Others have spoken about being nervous or scared when pulled over by police. One wrong move, and they may not make it home alive.
The talks are still relatively new, but Durr says they’re bringing an already tight-knit team closer together.
“It’s different hearing something on TV than hearing it from a brother you’re around every day. Just getting those guys up to speed and educated on what’s really going on in America and why certain things are happening,” Durr said. “It’s been a blessing, I really respect Coach Fleck for allowing us to share our experiences and have that uncomfortable conversation with everybody.”
Gophers, Coney Durr taking action on racism with HERE campaign
Coney Durr and the Gophers are doing their part to fight racism through the HERE (Help End Racism through Education) campaign.
Go Gophers!!