INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts canceled practice Thursday to spend time focusing on social issues following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The Colts posted a statement on their official Twitter account saying, "The Colts will not practice today. Instead, the team will use the day to discuss and work toward making a lasting social impact and inspiring change in our communities."
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 27, 2020
On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions were the first team to cancel practice to protest Blake's shooting. The Milwaukee Bucks announced Wednesday they would not play Game 5 of their NBA playoffs series against the Orlando Magic.
The rest of the NBA and the WNBA soon followed, and three Major League Baseball games were postponed as players announced they would not play. Major League Soccer teams and professional tennis players also sat out Wednesday.
The Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Washington Football Team also canceled practices Thursday.
In June, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Colts general manager Chris Ballard said the franchise would "stand up for what's right."
"I can't sit here and remain silent because that's exactly what we've done our Black community screams and yells for help," Ballard said. "We have to end social injustice and racial inequalities. We have to end the police violence against our Black communities. You know, Black Lives Matter. I don't know why that's so freaking hard for the white community to say. Black Lives Matter."
Kenosha police officers shot Blake, apparently in the back, Sunday as he leaned into his SUV with three of his children seated inside.
For more information about what's going on in Indianapolis and the fight for racial equality, click on this link: https://indyaccompliceship.com/
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
