Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio recently spoke on the situation regarding George Floyd and his death by cops by saying it was a “societal issue that we all have to join in to correct,” but said he doesn’t see discrimination or racism as problems overall in the NFL.
“I think our problems in the NFL along those lines are minimal. We’re a league of meritocracy, you earn what you get, you get what you earn. I don’t see racism at all in the NFL, I don’t see discrimination in the NFL,” Fangio told reporters Tuesday when asked about his experiences in the league over the past four decades. “We all live together, joined as one, for one common goal, and we all intermingle and mix tremendously. If society reflected an NFL team, we’d all be great.”
Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson didn’t appreciate those comments, calling his view of the league “a joke” in a tweet Tuesday night. Seahawks teammate Quandre Diggs also weighed in, asking, “Is he blind??”
“I was shocked, sad and angry when I saw what the policeman do to a handcuffed George Floyd on his stomach that led to his death,” Fangio said. “He should be punished to the full extent of the law of the crimes he was charged with in addition to being charged with treason for failing to uphold the badge and uniform he was entrusted with … It’s a societal issue that we all have to join in to correct.”
During the 16-minute session, Fangio said he has encouraged his players to protest.
“I thought it was great, Justin (Broncos Safety) is a great person, a great leader, got his head screwed on correctly, he sees the problems and how they need to be solved,” Fangio said. “He’s searching for solutions and it’s easy for everybody to identify the problems … we need to search for solutions and I think Justin is one of those guys who will find solutions.”
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has since been arrested and charged with 3rd-degree murder.
