Kirksey (58) has been a leader in the Browns locker room on helping with social causesGETTY IMAGES
The Browns hosted their "first annual social justice summit" at the team's HQ yesterday afternoon, as various guests "addressed the players on how they could use their platforms to help affect change," according to Mike Jones of USA TODAY. Since last preseason, when several Browns players "staged one of the first group protests during the national anthem against police brutality, the organization has paid special attention to the fight against social injustice." Browns LB Christian Kirksey and teammates "have gone beyond protesting," and Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam "took note, understanding the group wants more than a green light to demonstrate." Haslam has "offered time and resources in support." When Browns Player Engagement Dir Ron Brewer "presented Haslam with the idea of the social justice summit, the owner heartily agreed." Haslam began yesterday's meeting by saying, “How did we get here? Let’s be honest. It’s the elephant in the room: anthem protests. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for controversy." Haslam: "Now, it’s about a series of conversations, and our goal is to have a good discussion today, and quickly after, find one or two concrete things that we can do in our community that are measurable." Jones notes the summit "represented a continuation of the pact Haslam and his fellow owners made with players" during a meeting in October to address player protests. In recent months, Haslam has "worked with Cleveland lawmakers on bills concerning criminal justice reform." As the summit concluded, Haslam asked Kirksey to "gather his teammates to identify which specific causes they would like him to support in the coming year" (USA TODAY, 4/26).
