RSL defender Onuoha says he never feels ‘100 percent safe’ in the US

Nedum Onuoha, who previously played for Manchester City and currently plays for Real Salt Lake, says he supports the protests of police brutality in the US.

Nedum Onuoha was born in Nigeria and raised in Manchester, England. He came up in the Manchester City academy and spent the first part of his professional career there. But for the last two years, he’s been playing with Real Salt Lake in MLS.

In an interview with BBC 5 this week, Onuoha admits he never feels 100 percent safe when he’s in the United States.

“I am always very wary of how I behave,” Onuoha said. “And how it could be viewed by people who have power.”

“I have a fear and distrust towards police,” Onuoha admitted. “When it comes to any kind of brutality, if it’s from the police, if they read me the wrong way then my life could be taken.”

His comments come as anti-racism protests have broken out in every state across the country. The protests were sparked by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer named Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Floyd’s death, along with the recent shooting of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, and the murder of Ahmaud Arbery at the hands of vigilantes in Georgia, has led to a larger conversation about the role of police and police brutality in America.

“It is emotional,” Onuoha said. “It is something that is overdue to be honest. There has been a big wave of energy towards this, there has been a lot of talk about George Floyd– these issues have been around for decades.”

Onuoha admitted that American gun laws have added to his discomfort with law enforcement.

“In the UK, I am more comfortable because if something happens it probably will not be deadly– but over here because of their rights it is more common for altercations to become deadly. I am always very aware of that whenever I go around anywhere.”

“If you worry about the man next door, why would you not worry about the person patrolling the streets who now has more power, more guns but the same views? I never go out and feel 100 percent safe.”