Dallas Cowboys release a video, the first in a pledged series, on racial injustices
The Dallas Cowboys on Friday issued their first response as an organization to the racial injustices being protested across the country.
The Cowboys had a two-minute video with the opening message reading:
“Our hearts are burning with anger and sadness.
“Racism and hatred have to stop.
“We have to come together to change the system.”
It’s the first public statement the Cowboys have made on the issue of social injustices and systemic racism since George Floyd, an African American man, was killed while in police custody on May 25. Four police officers were fired, and they have since been charged with second-degree murder.
Athletes from across the sports spectrum began speaking out on social media almost immediately. Several teams followed. Last weekend, the Atlanta Falcons were one of the first teams to make a statement against systemic racism as well as stand for non-violent protests. By mid-week, several other teams had made similar statements.
A number of high-profile athletes and coaches, including Cowboys stars Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and DeMarcus Lawrence, have spoken out on a variety of issues as well.
The Cowboys said the video was the first in a series that will be released by the organization. The program was initiated, and is being led, by the team’s players and is being facilitated by the organization.
Prescott and linebacker Sean Lee were among the players who spoke on the video released Friday.
“Protests create a conversation,” Prescott said, “that strikes questions that have to be answered.”
Added Lee: “How can we respect each other, have compassion for each other, make change and then become closer as a community?”
Prescott closed the video by saying: “If we come together, if we see our neighbors as we see ourselves and we all believe in helping one another, then social justice is possible. And it’s not only possible in our communities, but it’s possible across our country.”
The Cowboys said the program started two years ago as a way “to educate the organization and its players on the magnitude of the systemic problem of racism and to offer avenues of finding the best ways to effect change.”
Along with the players, the program includes law enforcement (seven local police chiefs), judicial figures (eight judges) and social service leaders and Dallas city attorneys.
Here’s a list of those involved:
Judges: Stephanie Mitchell (Dallas), Dominique Collins (Dallas), Hector Garza (Dallas), Julia Hayes (Dallas), Lisa Green (Dallas), Angela King (Dallas), Laura Montes (Dallas-for Judge Dan Patterson), Corinne Mason (Collin County).
Police Chiefs: David Brown (Former Dallas), Steve Dye (Former Grand Prairie), Renee Hall (Dallas), Brian Harvey (Allen), Mitch Bates (Garland), Derick Miller (Carrollton), John Bruce (Frisco).
County/City Attorney: Larry Casto (Dallas City Attorney), Chris Caso (Dallas City Attorney), John Creuzot (Dallas County Criminal District Attorney).
Organizations and Community Leaders: Grand Prairie Police Department, Grand Prairie Police Youth Boxing Program, Salvation Army, Unlocking Doors (Christina Melton Crain), Stand Together (Jeff Taylor – Contract lobbyist for the poor and former chair of the Salvation Army’s Advisory Board), Café Momentum.
This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 1:08 PM.
