‘Long overdue.’ Sports leagues, Dallas Cowboys legend react to Chauvin guilty verdict
The four biggest sports leagues in the country and some of their biggest stars reacted to the guilty verdict against Derek Chauvin in Minnesota on Tuesday.
Their reaction is best summarized with one word: relief.
NBA stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry both celebrated the verdict, which found the former Minneapolis police officer guilty on three charges in the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.
James simply posted a praying hands emoji on Twitter. Curry retweeted the message: “Let’s be clear: A just verdict is not the same as justice.”
ACCOUNTABILITY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 20, 2021
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith echoed the sentiment of many by celebrating accountability. “Wow! Glad to see accountability today with the verdict for George Floyd,” Smith posted on Twitter. “but I can’t stop thinking of the many people who have been abused by systemic racism. Let’s celebrate this moment while acknowledging the path to true justice takes much more work. May God bless you all.”
Wow! Glad to see accountability today with the verdict for George Floyd, but I can’t stop thinking of the many people who have been abused by systemic racism. Let’s celebrate this moment while acknowledging the path to true justice takes much more work. May God bless you all.
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) April 21, 2021
Former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and NBA star Trae Young all responded to the verdict with the praying hands emoji. Young added: “Long overdue.”
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 20, 2021
.. Long Overdue.
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) April 20, 2021
NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace responded to the news and was retweeted by fellow driver Ryan Blaney. “Justice served on all counts. Good. Still a ton of work to do,” Wallace posted.
Justice for the Floyd family. Rest easy #GeorgeFloyd . Still work to do my brother. https://t.co/q25U8x5LjH
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) April 21, 2021
NBA legend Magic Johnson said on social media that he was moved by a post-verdict speech given by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “Thank God. … guilty! Justice has been served!!”
Thank God...guilty! Justice has been served!!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 20, 2021
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/taSKKJa2Sc
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 20, 2021
— NFL (@NFL) April 20, 2021
— MLB (@MLB) April 20, 2021
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 20, 2021