Matt Ryan issues statement on death of Rayshard Brooks: ‘We can and will Rise Up’

Matt Ryan addresses Rayshard Brooks’ killing by the Atlanta police.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan continues to be an advocate for Black Lives Matter after speaking on the death of Rayshard Brooks.

Then 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks was shot three times in the back by a white Atlanta police officer on June 12 in a Wendy’s drive-thru and died.

That Wendys’ on University Avenue in Atlanta was set on fire the following night by protesters. The officer who killed Brooks was terminated and former Atlanta police chief Erika Shields resigned.

Matt Ryan issues statement following Rayshard Brooks’ killing in Atlanta.

“I spent the weekend trying to wrap my head around the killing of Rayshard Brooks,” wrote Ryan. “To be completely honest, I can’t. Rayshard Brooks should still be alive – end of story. We cannot continue to lose lives due to police brutality.”

“Atlanta, I see you, I hear you and I’m taking action with my Fund. I’m with you more than ever as we take the next steps in the fight police brutality and systemic racism. We can and we will Rise Up.”

Ryan, who had set up a GoFundMe on June 4 called “Advancing the Lives (ATL) of the Black Community, has been outspoken on the social injustices sweeping the United States these last few weeks. He started with a $500,000 personal donation to the fund with the plan of seeing it increasing to $2 million before taking action.

Atlanta has been Ryan’s home since he was drafted by the Falcons back in spring 2008. He’s been the city’s franchise quarterback for 12 years now, working on No. 13 and trying desperately to bring Atlanta a championship. The 2016 NFL MVP is already the greatest quarterback in franchise history, but his legacy in Atlanta and in the NFL won’t be on his play alone.

There are many NFL players who will be on the right side of history with the Black Lives Matter movement. Ryan’s courage and bravery to put himself out there like this with his words, his actions and his money will be something we’ll talk about for years to come.

You can donate to Matt Ryan’s GoFundMe for Advancing the Lives (ATL) of the Black Community here.