Blackout Tuesday was a movement to support protesters who are standing up against police brutality and racial inequality in the wake of George Floyd being killed at the hands of police in Minneapolis. Activists, celebrities, athletes and organizations joined the show of support by posting a black box on social media and then refraining from posting for the rest of the day.
Bears coach Matt Nagy called for meetings to be canceled, Pro Football Talk reported, one day after the team used its allotted two hours of meeting time Monday to talk with and listen to players and coaches about racial injustice. Team chairman George McCaskey issued a statement later Monday night.
"A week ago another unarmed African-American man died at the hands of a white police officer," McCaskey said in a statement. "We are witnessing the anger and frustration play out in protests across the nation, including Chicago. We must do more than wring our hands and hope it doesn’t happen again. As an organization, we have addressed it internally by offering unconditional support to our family of staff, coaches and players, and today Ryan Pace and Coach Nagy spent the allotted two hours of team meeting time listening to and healing together with our players and the coaching staff.
"Through our voice, our actions and our resources, it is our obligation to lead. We will continue to work with our player-led social justice committee to provide funding and exposure to local organizations dedicated to empowering communities that have been oppressed for far too long. We’re proud to support organizations like BUILD Chicago, I Grow Chicago, My Block, My Hood, My City, and Youth Guidance, among others, who are doing great work in these communities and we encourage fans to partner with us in supporting them.
"Our commitment is to continue to be an active participant in change."
The Bears will hold media availability Wednesday, with defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, receiver Allen Robinson and linebacker Danny Trevathan scheduled to speak.