The Lions "decided not to practice" yesterday, "protesting after a Black man was shot by police in Wisconsin," according to Larry Lage of the AP. Lions DE Trey Flowers said, "We came up with this one as a unit." Lions coach Matt Patricia opened the team's morning meeting by "allowing players to share their thoughts on the shooting of Jacob Blake, who is paralyzed from the waist down." The players "continued to discuss Blake's shooting and shared their personal experiences regarding race in the locker room." Lions players and Patricia later filed out of the team's practice facility, "pushing a dry-erase board on wheels along the sidewalk to address the media." The words: "The world can't go on," was "written in blue on one side of the dry-erase board and 'We won't be silent!! One pride,' was in black on the other side of the white board" (AP, 8/25). In Detroit, Dave Birkett notes the Lions canceled practice following an "emotional, hourslong team meeting, in which players shared deeply personal stories about their experiences with racial injustice and vowed to be agents of change" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/26).
SIGN OF THE TIMES? In Detroit, Shawn Windsor writes the NFL not that long ago "couldn't run fast enough" from days like yesterday, when players "began talking about police brutality and social justice." Windsor: "Think about how much has changed in the last year." Fans should get used to "sports and politics and society intertwining," no matter "how much you wish it were otherwise" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/26). In Michigan, Kyle Meinke noted the Lions "stood alone in their decision to cancel" yesterday's practice. The decision to cancel practice is "unprecedented for an NFL team" (MLIVE.com, 8/25). In Detroit, Rod Beard writes Lions players "opened their ears and bared their souls -- and just listened, just tried to understand another man's experience instead of brushing it aside." It "looked more to be a scene from the NBA" (DETROIT NEWS, 8/26). Patricia said of his players' decision, "Talk about brave. It's not about football today." In Detroit, John Niyo writes the Lions "took a stand and led the way, becoming the first NFL team to do something quite this bold." What made yesterday's "show of solidarity so powerful" was the "humanity involved." This decision was "truly organic" (DETROIT NEWS, 8/26).
ELECTION DAY HELP: In Detroit, Dave Boucher reports the Lions are "teaming up with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson this year on several initiatives aimed at helping Detroit election operations and encouraging residents to participate in the political process." Ford Field "will host eight of Detroit's 12 receiving boards." In addition to Ford Field housing receiving boards, all Lions employees "will have a paid day off on Nov. 3 to either serve as a poll worker or to assist with operations at the stadium. Lions players, coaches and staff will also appear in public service announcements this fall discussing the importance of voting" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/26).
