After a year that featured racial protests not seen across the country since the Rodney King riots of the nineties, and intense scrutiny of police, justice was served. Following the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin on April 20, celebrities like Lebron James, Beyonce, and others reacted on Twitter. Their responses were all very similar, happy that justice was served and pushing for more progress against police brutality. While these responses are thoughtful in intent, they forget another victim of this tragedy, Floyd’s family. His daughter who will grow up fatherless, and his brother Philonise Floyd, a man who had to bury his kin. The actions of the Minnesota Timberwolves this week were incredibly pleasing to see.
The Timberwolves were in Floyd’s hometown of Houston on April 27, to face off against the Houston Rockets. While the game featured two squads with below average winning percentages, what transpired off the court after the game was heartwarming. Last Friday’s game against the Sacramento Kings was dedicated to Floyd’s family, and the game ball was presented to them. According to The Athletic‘s Jon Krawczynski, star center Karl Anthony Towns, shooting guard Anthony Edwards and small forward Josh Okogie all met with Floyd’s family after the game.
“After the win, KAT, Edwards and Okogie met with George Floyd’s family, who live in Houston, and gave them the game ball from the Sacramento win, which they dedicated to Floyd and his family,” read Krawczynski’s tweet.
“I think for all of us, we all felt that this game was bigger than basketball,” Towns said. “This was a moment that wasn’t meant for us. This was meant for our city and for George Floyd’s family. I think everyone in America right now is grieving with them and sending our prayers, blessings and love towards them. They need it for countless days.”
The Timberwolves organization had an incredible statement of their own as well, “We are hopeful that today’s decision will serve as a step forward, but it does not ease the physical and emotional pain that continues in an environment where systemic racism exists. To our BIPOC community, the Timberwolves and Lynx remain committed to influencing change, promoting impactful action, and using our platform to help heal and unite in pursuit of liberty and justice FOR ALL.” This commitment is incredibly inspiring and reminds all of us how sad of a situation this truly is.
