Mizzou football players organize walk and are joined by Columbia PD, administrators
Missouri Tigers student-athletes, coaches, administrators and members of Columbia Police and MU Police departments walked from The Columns to the Boone County Courthouse Wednesday.
The walk was organized by members of the football team, with MU defensive coordinator Ryan Walters also taking the lead. An MU spokesperson said the players wanted to do something in reponse to last week’s death of George Floyd.
Other members of the MU athletic program, including Missouri men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin, MU women’s basketball coach Robin Pingeton and UM system president Mun Choi were among those in attendance, along with the entire football staff.
Once they got to the courthouse, the group knelt for 8 minutes, 46 seconds in memory of Floyd, who died in Minneapolis on May 24 while being detained by police officers. At the courthouse, 62 football players also registered to vote.
An MU spokesperson estimated that 80-85 people took part in the procession. Many of the football players are back on campus now in preparation for June 8, when they can officially begin voluntary workouts.
Mizzou football coach Eliah Drinkwitz also released a statement via Twitter about the peaceful walk.
“Today we decided that action is what causes change,” he said. “Our integrity is when words and actions come into alignment. So we did that. Our players led a powerful walk to the courthouse where we took a knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, to honor the life of George Floyd and demand justice. This isn’t political. It’s a human rights issue. And then we registered to vote. 62 student-athletes registered. Change will happen.
“Thank you to President Choi, Jim Sterk, membrs of the athletic dept., Columbia City Police and MU Police for joining in our walk. Everyone against racism.”