TCU staff and Big 12 respond with shows of support in the wake of George Floyd’s death
The TCU football staff held a virtual meeting with players on Friday afternoon where they discussed the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after multiple police officers were seen on video detaining Floyd on the ground while another officer kneeled on Floyd’s neck as Floyd lay face down and handcuffed in a Minneapolis street last Monday.
One attendee described the football staff’s virtual meeting with the players as “positive.” Assistant coaches reached out to their position groups before the meeting and coach Gary Patterson continues to reach out to players to “hear them out.”
“I’m sure the players appreciated what was said,” one assistant coach said.
TCU tight end Pro Wells expressed his hope to see his coaches speak out on the issue before Friday’s meeting. “I feel like all my coaches should be speaking on this because most of our players are black,” Wells posted on his Twitter account on Friday. “That could have been one of us.”
Wells’ tweet was shared by teammates, including cornerback Noah Daniels, tight end Artayvious Lynn, wide receiver Mikel Barkley and offensive lineman Kellton Hollins. Former offensive tackle David Bolisomi also shared the tweet.
One TCU assistant described Floyd’s death as “horrendous” in a text message to the Star-Telegram. TCU safeties coach Paul Gonzales posted a Twitter message from his wife saying it’s time for people to be “boldly, loudly and unapologetically anti-racist.”
“I love my players, empathize with their pain and stand by my wife sharing the same view,” Gonzales wrote.
TCU coach Gary Patterson’s wife, Kelsey, posted a supportive reply in response to Gonzales’ tweet, writing in part: “Our players are lucky to have you both (and so are we)!”
College football coaches and conferences across the country are speaking out on the death of Floyd. In the days since Floyd’s death, there have been protests — some peaceful, some violent — in cities from coast to coast, including a 200-person civil demonstration in Fort Worth on Friday night.
Texas coach Tom Herman called it a “painful time for our country.” Texas Tech coach Matt Wells said he still can’t fathom “racist, injustice, but most of all inhumane acts.”
“It is wrong and unacceptable,” Wells wrote. “This has to stop.”
Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor is another notable Big 12 figure who weighed in on the issue on Friday.
“I want all of our Student-Athletes, and especially our Black Student-Athletes to know that I heard you, I support you and I am here for you as well as our Coaches, Staff and Kansas State University,” Taylor wrote.
The Big 12 board of directors, which includes TCU chancellor Victor J. Boschini, issued a statement that read: “As a conference representing thousands of students, faculty and staff from all walks of life, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect in our campus communities. Acts of racism and violence, no matter their origin or target, contradict this core commitment we share within the Big 12 Conference.
“Recent incidents of racial violence underscore the need for us and for all Americans to join together in addressing matters of racism and injustice in a united, meaningful way.”
That statement was met with praise by many, including TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati on Saturday.
“I applaud our @Big12Conference university leadership for their commitment to these values,” Donati wrote. “Now more than ever we need to find meaningful ways to come together, to be accountable to one another, and address these critical issues in our communities. ALL of us. #GoFrogs”
From a player perspective, Bolisomi is pleased to see these topics being addressed. He recalled an offensive meeting led by TCU offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie a couple years ago where everyone openly talked about a recent police shooting.
“As black males and white males, we talked about how we felt and the coaches told us how they felt about us,” said Bolisomi, who played at TCU from 2015-19. “It was all out in the open.”
Bolisomi said “nobody is perfect” when it comes to handling these types of situations, but believes it must be addressed by the coaching staff whether it’s in a public or private forum.
“From a player’s perspective, coaches are mentors just like parents,” Bolisomi said. “If my mother feels I’m down, she’s going to reach out. She’s not going to sit there and sit silent. That’s why Pro’s tweet resonated. The whole country saw what happened.
“Do I think everyone should speak publicly about this? No, not everyone is meant to speak publicly. But, whatever medium a coach feels comfortable with, use it to reach out to players whether it’s a Zoom call with the whole team or writing individual letters. Not saying anything at this moment is not OK.”
Along with the Big 12 coaches, other notable coaches to weigh in on the subject included Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck, Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald, Ohio State’s Ryan Day and UMass’ Walt Bell.
Former TCU quarterback and current Dallas Cowboy Andy Dalton also addressed the situation, saying: “I have had a heaviness about everything that has gone on with George Floyd and many others. These racist acts are inexcusable and horrific. We have to fight against racism and not be naive to the injustice that is happening. Jesus came for people, all people, so we could experience His love and have eternal life in heaven. We were all created in His image. That makes every life valuable.”
This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 2:29 PM.
