American McKennie wears ‘Justice for George’ armband in Bundesliga game

Soccer Football – Bundesliga – Schalke 04 v TSG Hoffenheim – Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany – March 7, 2020 Schalke 04’s Weston McKennie after the match REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen DFL

United States soccer player Weston McKennie joined the chorus of outrage from athletes protesting against the death of a black man in Minneapolis by wearing an armband with the message “Justice for George” in a German league game on Saturday.

Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged on Friday with murder in the death of unarmed 46-year-old George Floyd after cellphone footage of the white officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck prompted a wave of protests.

Schalke 04’s McKennie followed several other current and former athletes, including NBA champion Stephen Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, and teenage tennis player Coco Gauff, who have also spoken out about Floyd’s death.

“To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on too long feels good,” McKennie tweeted https://twitter.com/WMckennie/status/1266776949352849409 after Schalke’s Bundesliga match versus Werder Bremen. 

“We have to stand up for what we believe in and I believe that it is time that we are heard,” he added, using the hashtags “justiceforgeorgefloyd” and “saynotoracism”.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who grew up in Texas but turned down a contract from FC Dallas to sign for Schalke in 2016, has scored twice in 20 league games this season for the German club, who lost 1-0 at home on Saturday.

McKennie has played 19 times for the U.S. national team, scoring six goals and making three assists.

—Reuters

Global Heroes Logo Grey

Get your free copy of Global Heroes, jam-packed with positive news, straight in your inbox.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Global Heroes Podcast

GET YOUR FREE COPY OF GLOBAL HEROES’ POSITIVE NEWS

Subscribe to our Newsletter and Access all issues of Global Heroes News straight in your inbox. 100% free, no purchase necessary, for life. Uplifting stories, highlighting the inspirational efforts of everyday people, celebrities, and organizations, who are diligently working together towards practical solutions to global problems.

FOLLOW US