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Three Mizzou players issue statement on current status of football team
In the wake of Missouri president Tim Wolfe's resignation amid racial tension at the school, Tigers football players J'Mon Moore, Ian Simon and Charles Harris read a statement at Carnahan Quad on Monday, divulging the current status of the football team.
Here is the statement from Simon, a senior safety:
Our main message is to distract from the narrative that has been out in the media. It's not about us, we just wanted to use our platform to take a stance for a fellow concerned student on an issue, especially being as though a black man's life was on the line. Due to the end of the Hunger Strike, we will be ending our solidarity strike to not practice and returning to our normal schedule as football players. It is a privilege to be playing on the University of Missouri Football Team and we are very thankful for this opportunity. We love the game, but in the end of the day, it is just that; a game.
Through this experience, we've really began to bridge that gap between student and athlete in the phrase student-athlete by connecting with the community and realizing the bigger picture. We will continue to build with the community and support positive change on Mizzou's campus. Though we don't experience everything the general student body does and our struggles may look different at times, we are all #ConcernedStudent1950.
It was a thoughtful piece, speaking about the kinship between the football team and the rest of the student body. As noted by the statement, a goal of connection within the community is desired.
Sophomores Harris and Moore also offered thoughts:
For months, black student groups had complained that Wolfe was unresponsive to racial slurs and other slights on the overwhelmingly white main campus of the state's four-college system. The complaints came to a head two days ago, when at least 30 black football players announced they would not play until the president left. Graduate student Jonathan Butler went on a hunger strike as part of protests against Wolfe.
Wolfe, a former business executive with no previous experience in academic leadership, took "full responsibility for the frustration" students expressed and said their complaints were "clear" and "real."
Football practice was to resume Tuesday ahead of Saturday's game against Brigham Young University at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs. Canceling the game could have cost the school more than $1 million.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(h/t Twitter)
