(WXYZ) — The Detroit Lions canceled practice on Tuesday and players instead addressed the media after the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin over the weekend.
The entire team came out of the practice facility in Allen Park with a sign on a whiteboard that read, "the world can't go on" and "we won't be silent."
Lions Safety Duron Harmon said, "We as a football team decided that Football is not important today."
The entire Lions team has a message. The shooting of Jacob Blake prompted the team to spent time talking about that. “We as a football team decided that Football is not important today.” #OnePride pic.twitter.com/tv5BhJZusy
— Justin Rose (@JRoseWXYZ) August 25, 2020
Taylor Decker takes the mic. This is powerful. pic.twitter.com/rJtL1O76d3
— Justin Rose (@JRoseWXYZ) August 25, 2020
The Lions team statement on being the change for social justice just ended. They say they will be the change. pic.twitter.com/VVS6Z9rttQ
— Justin Rose (@JRoseWXYZ) August 25, 2020
Blake was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday. Kenosha police didn't say what led up to the shooting, but that officers had responded to the area for a "domestic incident."
Video on social media shows Blake walking toward an SUV attempting to get into it before an officer grabbed him and shot him several times in the back.
Two officers have been placed on administrative leave.