Meet the Mizzou football player behind the Tigers’ peaceful walk, voter registration
Missouri Tigers safety Martez Manuel has a long history of stepping up as a leader.
On the field, be it middle school, high school or now as a rising sophomore at Mizzou, Manuel said he’s always been a leader of his team. Away from football, he’s built homes as a missionary in Jamaica. He’s cleaned retirement homes with non-profits in Columbia.
That helps explain why the anger swelled up inside him when he learned of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis at the hands of police officers. As protesters gathered to demonstrate across the nation, Manuel wanted to do something.
It was Manuel’s idea to organize a peaceful walk from The Columns to the Boone County Courthouse last week. He was in constant communication with his coaches — especially MU defensive coordinator Ryan Walters — in the leadup to the walk.
“I’m kind of like the voice of the people, the voice of my teammates,” Manuel said during a Wednesday video call. “A big thing for me beyond statistical goals was just to earn the trust and respect of my coaches and teammates this season.”
Manuel mobilizing for what he believes is right is another example of the player empowerment that’s making its way through college football. Student-athletes are using their platform — whether social media or other means — to support and espouse what they believe is right.
They’re separating themselves from the “stick to sports” crowd, a corner of fandom that decries political or social commentary from personalities known primarily as sports figures.
“People are human,” Walters said. “Sports are something they do — it’s not who they are. I think it’s advantageous and necessary to use your platform.”
While the peaceful walk was organized by the football team, it was joined by many other noteworthy figures from Mizzou. Basketball coaches Cuonzo Martin and Robin Pingeton, MU athletic director Jim Sterk and UM president Mun Choi were all present. Everyone in attendance knelt for 8 minutes, 46 seconds at the end of the walk to recognized the length of time that since-fired and criminally charged Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on Floyd’s neck.
Walters said it was an emotional day, and walk. He could feel the significance of being a part of history.
“You could sense that it was a powerful deal,” Walters said. “We just walked right through downtown and cars honked and people were honking in support. My grandfather had passed away that morning, so I was going through all kinds of emotions throughout the day. When you take a knee for that long, it brings to reality what took place.”
It was also Walters’ idea to have MU football players register to vote. The Mizzou coaching staff wanted to do something substantial, something that would have lasting impact.
Manuel said he was one of the 62 Tigers football players who registered to vote at the courthouse that day. He said it was an opportunity to symbolize his desire for systemic change.
But he added that it was only the first step.
“It’s just a problem in the year of 2020 in modern society, our youth aren’t getting involved in politics or elections,” Manuel said. “We can honestly play a big role.”
The Tigers’ voter-registration effort seems to have inspired others. LSU coach Ed Orgeron said all of his players will register to vote. Georgia Tech and other school sports departments are pledging to give their athletes the day off Nov. 3 to allow them time to vote. The Chiefs are prioritizing voter registration, too.
“We have a platform,” MU senior defensive end Chris Turner said last week. “It’s our choice and our decision if we use it or not. I feel like a lot of people listen to what we say. Most of my team, they’re black guys. We’ve all seen crazy stuff. We’ve all been affected by it. We all want to see a change.”