Inside The Vikings

Vikings Players React to Death of George Floyd, Team Releases Statement

Vikings players were among the millions stunned to see a Minneapolis man killed by the police on Monday.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Players React to Death of George Floyd, Team Releases Statement
Vikings Players React to Death of George Floyd, Team Releases Statement

Current and former Vikings players were among the millions of Americans outraged by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday.

Floyd, a black man, died after being in the custody of four police officers. A video posted to Facebook showed one of the officers with his knee on the back of Floyd's neck for roughly five minutes. The officer didn't remove pressure from Floyd's neck even when the 46-year-old man said that he couldn't breathe. Floyd appeared to be unconscious by the end of the video and was later pronounced dead at Hennepin County Medical Center.

The incident occurred outside of Cup Foods at the corner of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, just three miles from U.S. Bank Stadium. Floyd was under arrest for allegedly attempting to use a counterfeit $20 bill at the deli.

The four police officers involved were fired, but no charges have been brought against them at this point.

The Vikings released an official statement on Wednesday.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life that occurred Monday evening just blocks from our stadium. Everyone in our community deserves the right to feel protected and safe. Our thoughts are with the George Floyd family and all individuals who have been affected by this tragedy."

Here are some of the reactions from current and former Vikings players and other figures in the Vikings community.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins:

Former Vikings LB Chad Greenway:

Vikings S Anthony Harris:

Vikings LB Troy Dye:

Vikings DT Michael Pierce:

Vikings WR Adam Thielen:

Vikings DT Jaleel Johnson:

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph:

Vikings DE Ifeadi Odenigbo:

Former Vikings WR Jake Reed:

Vikings WR Bisi Johnson:

Former Vikings RB Adrian Peterson:

Vikings analyst Ron Johnson and WR Tajae Sharpe:

Vikings RB Alexander Mattison:

Former Vikings WR Randy Moss (retweeted the post of ESPN analyst Marcus Spears)

Vikings S Josh Metellus

Vikings DT Jalyn Holmes:

Former Gophers and Vikings safety Tyrone Carter is among those protesting in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

Published
Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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