Kirk Ferentz says Iowa football players will be united if team kneels: Hawkeye fans react
Iowa football players may kneel this season.
The Iowa football team may take a knee as a sign of peaceful protest amid the racial injustices and police brutality that has re-erupted around the nation after the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police.
Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz said he wants his team to be unified whether they all decide to take a knee or they all decide it’s best to stand at attention and use another form of peaceful protest to send their message.
This comes on the heels of New Orleans Saints and former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees finding himself in the center of controversy after saying he would never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag.
“If I were to frame it out, I guess my goal or my hopes as a coach is whatever we decide to do, and if it’s pertaining to that particular thing, I’d just like to see our team be together,” Ferentz said via The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman. “So, everybody’s taking a knee or everybody’s at attention, either way, but just the big thing is to be together on gameday and present a uniform appearance as a football team.”
Kirk Ferentz says he wants his team to take a uniform position this fall where either they all stand at attention or they all kneel.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) June 3, 2020
Brees received harsh criticism from his teammates such as Malcolm Jenkins, Michael Thomas, Cam Jordan as well as fellow NFL players from Aaron Rodgers to Richard Sherman. It stretched beyond the NFL where LeBron James was very critical of Brees’ comments.
One day later, Brees apologized for his insensitive comments and the pain he caused.
Iowa football fans react to Ferentz’s statement.
If Iowa football decided as a team to take kneel, it will be a long-overdue move according to former Iowa football player and current Chicago Bear James Daniels who thinks it will inspire change within the state.
If the team collectively decides to kneel, this will bring about a cultural change for both Iowa football and the state of Iowa which I believe is long overdue!!! https://t.co/o9L2BjnEue
— James Daniels (@jamsdans) June 4, 2020
Some Iowa football fans shared the opinion of Daniels that kneeling will send the right message.
Year by year, I grow happier that this man leads my favorite sports team. A lot of people in positions of power could take some tips from Kirk.
— Daniel Van Winkle (@MrVDubz) June 3, 2020
Man I never expected that, really happy to hear Kirk understands what’s happening. Not surprised he still wants his team unified.
— Tyler Graybill (@BBMOFOINC) June 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/SraCreekmur/status/1268313231438692353?s=20
But not everyone was on board with Iowa football players taking a knee to protest racial injustices and police brutality.
Do not kneel! It’s so disrespectful all around.
— Tami Vernon (@tsverno) June 3, 2020
Stand. Stand up! Do NOT bring the negativity surrounding kneeling and the entire NFZl debacle or the soul crushing politics attached to outside issues. Stand up. Be proud. Stand together! No kneeling. Stand and proudly honor those who came before you. Please.
— Scuupt You222 (@scuupt) June 3, 2020
And some Iowa football fans recognized why they kneel but would prefer it to happen before or after the national anthem.
My opinion is kneel prior or after the National Athem. You can certainly make time for a silent protest prior to the anthem or after. It is imperative IN MY OPINION we represent America together as ONE UNIT.
— JasonS21 (@Jason21Sandy) June 3, 2020
If they kneel at any other time besides the National Anthem I’m all for it
— Wyatt Fiderlein (@wyattfiderlein) June 4, 2020
25 highest-paid college football coaches in 2020. dark. Next
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