Mike Zimmer’s statement to Vikings players will make you want to run through a wall

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer made a statement to his players that other coaches should pay attention to.

As professional sports franchises in America continue to figure out how to navigate the social awakening happening in the country, we are being reminded of the human element behind the conglomerates.

Minneapolis was Ground Zero for the current wave of progress being made because it was the place where George Floyd was slowly killed by a police officer over the course of nine minutes. Minneapolis lit the fuse that sparked the revolution we’re watching spread across America, and those in positions of power are trying their best to help.

Not only help by donating or posting out a black box on social media, but also by listening.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer held a team-wide Zoom call in which he addressed what is happening, gave his support to the players and to the protests, and sent a message of love that instantly resonated with everyone in the locker room.

What did Mike Zimmer tell the Minnesota Vikings locker room?

Ameer Abdullah told the Star Tribune a little of what Zimmer said to the team, which was not only heartfelt but was the type of stuff that will make someone want to run through a wall for the Vikings head coach.

“He said, ‘I don’t understand, and maybe I haven’t given this as much attention, but I love every single one of you guys and I’ll fight for you like you’re my sons.”

Zimmer was among those adamant in 2016 that players stand during the national anthem. But rather than remain steadfast and ignorant of the world around him, Zimmer did what many who hold those views have refused to do — he admitted not that he was wrong, but that he didn’t understand the issue.

It was a message of vulnerability from a capital-F Football Guy, and one that connected with his players on a human level.

“It was a big thing because he communicated to us that he does not understand,” Linebacker Eric Kendricks said. “He is not from the same background. He does not share the same skin. He can’t begin to relate with us, but he hears us and he’s there for us. He expressed that if we want him to get involved with anything that we have going on as a committee, that he’s right there with us.”

It’s a time in our history where actions are truly speaking louder than words, as protests around the country have created change in places we never thought we’d see. The Minneapolis City Council announced last week that the police department would be disbanded and replaced with a community force, NASCAR banned the use of the confederate flag, and reform is starting to happen in cities all over America.

Zimmer’s words are just that, but we’ve seen how powerful they can be in the last few weeks. It’s not just words spoken since the protests started, but words that have been shouted for decades are now finally reaching a cresendo that is causing change. In a world where other head coaches are preaching that “fOoTbALL mAtTerS” or are claiming racism doesn’t exist in the NFL, Zimmer is being vulnerable. He’s listening, which is what more head coaches should try to do.

We still have a long way to go, but listening to those who need to be heard and supporting them has never been more important than in the middle of a tide shift like the one we’re seeing.