Carolina Panthers Cancel Practice, Reportedly ‘Social Justice Related’

TOPLINE

The Carolina Panthers have cancelled their practice scheduled for Saturday as rumors swirl they would be the latest NFL team to take action in the name of “social justice,” following the lead of athletes in other leagues in response to the Sunday police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.

KEY FACTS

Key background

The Panthers may be the latest athletes to take a stand against racism and police brutality. The Milwaukee Bucks refused to take to the court Wednesday for their NBA playoff game, causing the league to announce they would postpone the evening’s games. The WNBA’s Washington Mystics soon followed, wearing symbolic t-shirts with seven bullet holes emblazoned on the back to stand for Blake’s injuries at the hands of police. Tennis star Naomi Osaka also announced Wednesday she would pull out of the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open tournament, telling followers “If I can get a conversation started in a majority white sport I consider that a step in the right direction,” in a statement. Nine NFL teams had cancelled practices because of Blake’s shooting, the Associated Press reported before the Ravens announced they too would cancel.

Further reading

Player: Panthers canceled Saturday’s scrimmage so team can speak on social justice issues (Charlotte Observer)

Baltimore Ravens Become Latest Team To Postpone Activity As Athlete Strikes Grow In Protest Of Police Shooting (Forbes)

9 NFL teams cancel practice in response to Blake shooting (Associated Press)

Naomi Osaka Drops Out Of Tennis Tournament Semifinal To Protest Police Brutality (Forbes)

NBA Games Postponed As Players Boycott To Protest Jacob Blake Shooting (Forbes)