Awareness of racism and social injustice is at an all-time high. Now, the key is to keep the focus on the issues as the country moves forward and works toward solutions.
NFL players, like San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, don't have to worry about team-organized on-field practices thanks to social distancing rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But what happens when the focus shifts back to practices, preparing for games, and football in general?
Warner is part of a leadership group of 49ers players who take part in discussions on how to not only keep the awareness in focus but also to help find solutions to create real change. Others in the group, according to The Athletic, include Arik Armstead, Dee Ford, Jimmy Garoppolo, Robbie Gould, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, Richard Sherman, Laken Tomlinson, K'Waun Williams, and Trent Williams.
Warner was part of a discussion panel on NFL Network with Steve Wyche, MJ Acosta, and White House correspondent April Ryan. Wyche asked the 49ers linebacker what some of those solutions might be as players shift the majority of their focus back to football.
"I think the key is to try and find a solution where we can keep the conversation going," Warner responded. "Whatever that means or however we do that, using our platform is very important at this time because we have a voice that a lot of people don't have, to be able to reach a lot of different minds.
"At the end of the day, the change needs to start inward. I look at myself. How can I be a better person out in the community and in society where I can treat others with the same love and compassion as I do with my own family?
"I think you've got to look inward. You've got to speak to your children. The youth are extremely powerful in creating real progress. Obviously, we have a long way to go from where we need to be as a country.
"In terms of what we're going to do as a team, I'm sure we'll come up with something, and I think that's league-wide with how we'll continue to make it relevant and keep the conversation going to where we can create real change."
"The change needs to start inwards."@fred_warner, @MJAcostaTV and @AprilDRyan talk to @wyche89 about our personal responsibility to better our communities. pic.twitter.com/FCKnRWhVDF
— NFL (@NFL) June 15, 2020
Matt Barrows of The Athletic spoke with Garoppolo last week to learn the quarterback's thoughts on some of the progress that has come from those leadership discussions.
"We're approaching it as a team, instead of just doing it as individuals," Garoppolo said. "I really like it. It's crazy what's going on in the world right now. And I think it's really about people learning and educating themselves on everything that's going on. Because once that happens, then the process can really begin. And so we've been talking about it, and a lot of guys have some ideas we've thrown around. Hopefully, we'll finalize it (soon)."