Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson expects a bunch of uncomfortable conversations at training camp after the May 25th death of George Floyd by Minneapolis cops that has since sparked thousands of nationwide protests.
Just like every team in the league, the Texans have not been together in person since last season because of the pandemic, and so much has changed since then.
“It’s going to be different,” Watson said on a YouTube Live session with Carmelo Anthony on Monday, via WFNZ.
“I honestly, right now, today couldn’t tell you exactly how it’s going to be, but it’s definitely going to be a lot of tests for a lot of people, especially for the white teammates. The majority of the players in the NFL are black guys.
So for people to walk in that locker room, and the majority of that locker room is black, are the white guys tagging along? Are the coaching staff tagging along? I know coach [Bill] O’Brien already said he’s going to tag along. I know he’s going to take a knee and he said he’s going to support us, regardless of what we say.”
The majority of NFL players — about 70 percent — are black, and some of them made their feelings known about racism and police brutality when they got together to produce a powerful video calling for change within the league.
The Texans report to training camp July 25th.
“I know whenever we report to camp everyone in that locker room is expecting the owner on day one to come and talk to us and communicate with us, ask us questions, let them know that he’s supporting us, supporting his players,” Watson said. “And if not there’s gonna be some issues, for sure.”
