https://youtu.be/iZX0Wqe7Cbs
Derek Carr joins in with teammate Khalil Mack to make a statement that the racial divide that we’ve seen in recent days is not acceptable. Carr put his hand on Mack’s shoulder as a way to show that solidarity and love can exist between people from different racial backgrounds according to ESPN.
“What we wanted to do was show all the kids that look up to me, look up to him, that white kids, blue kids, brown kids, blue, green, doesn’t matter, can all be loving to each other,” Carr said. “And that’s what me and Khalil are — we’re best friends and we love one another.
“The only reason we did that is to unify people, and to unify the people that look up to us because, obviously, we see what’s going on in the world and, obviously, everyone pays attention to the national anthem nowadays, and so we just said this was the best time to do it while still honoring our country. Because I love this country, more than anything. We’re free to live here and play this game, but we’re also free to show each other that we love one another. And I think that that’s the message, and that’s the only message we were trying to get out.”
Mack said he wanted to use his “platform” to get out his message.
“To show [that] different races can get along, white, black, whatever you are, get along and be friends and … just show unity,” Mack said. “Show togetherness. It’s discussed a lot. It’s one of the things I feel passionately about, but I just don’t like the attention, the attention that comes with it. But at the same time, just using my platform for positivity is what’s important for me.”
Chris Long of the Eagles was the first to make this gesture with his teammate Malcolm Jenkins. Hopefully more guys will join in and make their voices be heard.