The New England Patriots shelved football to have conversations about “recent events” during their virtual offseason workout program, NFL Media’s Mike Giardi reported Friday.
The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police has sparked protests throughout the United States.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was part of the discussion, according to Giardi.
“We couldn’t do this without his leadership,” a player told Giardi.
I'm told the #Patriots had open conversations about recent events, in fact sacrificing football for the more important topics that have impacted so many of it's players directly. Bill Belichick was a part & I was told by one player "we couldn't do this without his leadership."
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) June 5, 2020
I was also told some of the conversations about what African-American players had experienced in their lifetimes were eye opening to all corners of the locker room & though done virtually, the the belief – at least to those I talked to – were that they made a great impact.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) June 5, 2020
Giardi reported that black players discussed what they had experienced in their lifetimes and the conversations were “eye-opening” and “made a great impact” through the virtual meetings.
The Patriots offseason workout program will last through at least June 12. The NFL and NFL Players Association could agree to extend them to June 26. The Patriots will have over a month off before training camp begins in late July.
