USA TODAY Sports
Dino Babers Issues Statement on Racial Injustice
Syracuse head coach Dino Babers had been one of the few coaches across the country who had not issued a statement regarding racial injustice, police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. That ended Wednesday when he issued the following statement:
"I am angry. I am hurting.
"The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the countless other innocent black lives that have been taken is wrong and inexcusable. We as a nation are hurting. Families and communities are in pain.
"I am the head football coach at Syracuse University, I am a father, I am a son, I am a friend, and I am a black man. I am a black man that understands the rules of engagement when confronted by law enforcement; keep both hands where they can see them, do not make sudden moves, do not talk back, be respectful and pray I don't become a statistic. I was taught this at an age where my only worries should have been what time my friends can come out to play, where can I ride my bike, or making sure I was in the house when the street lights came on. As I grew older and watched what happened to other black men in these situations, it became crystal clear of why these rules of engagement could one day save my life.
"I lived through the civil rights movement. I was alive when Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. I was alive when black men and women were forced to use separate water fountains, separate restrooms, and could not eat in certain restaurants. What is a history book to others, and news to some now, is the life I've been living. Now is the time to put a light on it.
"I understand the disappointment expressed by members of the Syracuse Football Family and the Orange community for my delay in speaking out.
"To the entire Orange Nation, I am sorry. I needed to process, I needed to pray, I needed to talk to my wife, my daughters and my son-in-laws. I needed to speak to the 'Ohana and La Familia. I needed to listen to their pain while I processed my own.
"The Orange family has shown the power of coming together. Amidst the trauma and conflict, unity holds great power for change. It takes people from all walks of life to see true change. Our words must be put into action this time.
"I encourage all of us as a community to take action. There is a difference between hearing and listening. Now is the time to listen. Don't wait for your turn to talk, open your ears. Knowledge is power. Education yourself. Register to vote. Have conversations with friends and family.
"As a young coach, I was told 'You are either coaching it or allowing it to happen.' All live won's matter until Black Lives Matter. We are either going to address the systemic racism and injustice or we are allowing it to happen.
"As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.
"Forever Orange, Dino Babers."
