Indianapolis Colts Players React to Social Unrest on Twitter

Nationwide protests demanding racial equality have evoked emotional responses from Indianapolis Colts players in the past week. People have assembled for marches for four consecutive days in Indianapolis.

As protests denouncing racism marched on in major cities on Monday, several Indianapolis Colts continued to express themselves in social media.

Pro Bowl linebacker Darius Leonard was outraged by a Twitter video in which one protester was pulled away from a crowd by police. The video had 17.4 million views.

This is what’s wrong with the world now! What happened to “ Freedom of Speech”? Why is he the only one in cuffs? We need answers https://t.co/0aQzwVrbCd

— Darius Shaquille Leonard (@dsleon45) June 1, 2020

Defensive end Kemoko Turay mourned the Saturday death of former Indiana football player Chris Beaty, who was fatally shot multiple times while trying to aid two women from being robbed in downtown Indianapolis.

Another life taken away.. just a week ago we spoke and just In a snap of a finger to hear that you not with us because you got your life taken away no reasons. I’m for the protesting but the violence got stop in both parties and this killing is breaking family and friends heart. pic.twitter.com/eYCM5RddmD

— Kemoko Turay (@Kturay_58) June 1, 2020

Colts rookie cornerback Isaiah Rodgers was commended for joining other NFL players in cleaning up a looted area in Tampa, Fla. As debris is being picked up and Rodgers is putting on gloves, he says, “We’ve got to start somewhere.”

This is the what Indianapolis is getting in @rodgers_isaiah gonna be great for the community and the team #Colts #ColtsNationhttps://t.co/gH50yzYbYf

— Nick Melillo (@CircleCity21) June 1, 2020

Four days after the Minneapolis death of George Floyd while in police custody on May 25th, Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II kept his tweet succinct.

one who walks by a mistake, is part of the problem.

— Kenny Moore II (@KennyKennyMoe3) May 29, 2020

Running back Marlon Mack retweeted a message from Martin Luther King III.

pic.twitter.com/v1nVnP1vX8

— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) June 1, 2020

Wide receiver Parris Campbell shared a #BlackLivesMatter, #FightForChange video created by Ohio State football, his alma mater.

#BlackLivesMatter #FightForChange pic.twitter.com/8irD337wEy

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) June 2, 2020

Rookie running back Jonathan Taylor retweeted a “Qasim For Congress” video of a man named “Killer Mike” speaking. It went viral with 34.3 million views.

Linebacker Bobby Okereke retweeted a video collection of police actions against black suspects with #EndPoliceBrutality.

#EndPoliceBrutality https://t.co/1LS7AXAm8s

— Bobby Okereke (@BobbyOkereke) June 1, 2020

Wide receiver Zach Pascal retweeted a video shared by NBA legend LeBron James which shows thousands of protestors kneeling in Washington, D.C.

Is the media showing this??? I bet you they aren’t. 🤦🏾‍♂️. This is beautiful https://t.co/rKPuTIz7bC

— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 1, 2020

Leonard quoted Edgar in a May 28th tweet that had 66 retweets, including fellow Colts linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., as well as 694 likes.

“Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don’t give up, whate’er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!” Edgar pic.twitter.com/24wtNQsQVi

— Darius Shaquille Leonard (@dsleon45) May 29, 2020

(Phillip B. Wilson has covered the Indianapolis Colts for more than two decades and authored the 2013 book 100 Things Colts Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. He’s on Twitter @pwilson24, on Facebook at @allcoltswithphilb and @100thingscoltsfans, and his email is phillipbwilson24@yahoo.com.)