Reactions from across the sports world keep pouring in after the release of a video showing Memphis cops beating Tire Nichols.
The NFL issued a statement Saturday mourning the tragic death.
“The NFL mourns the tragic and senseless death of Tire Nichols and we send our condolences to his loved ones and the Memphis community,” the league wrote.
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The NFL logo is seen on the field before a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Police surveillance and body cameras captured officers pepper spraying, kicking, punching and truncheoning Nichols, who was unarmed during the traffic stop. He died three days after the events, on January 10.
Authorities released the images to the public on Friday night. The five now-fired officers face various charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault stemming from the incident.
TENNESSEE SHERIFF OPENS NEW INVESTIGATION INTO TWO OFFICERS AFTER RELEASE OF TIRE NICHOLS’ BODY CAMERA VIDEO
The NFL also pledged to “fight for change.”
“We remain deeply committed to fighting the injustices and inequities that plague our society and will continue to work with our social justice partners to support our communities and fight for change,” the statement concluded.
The Memphis Grizzlies have also spoken out about Nichols’ death. Coach Taylor Jenkins spoke before the team’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, saying the team had “sat down and talked at length several times about what happened, what will happen.”
This photo provided by the Nichols family shows Tire Nichols, who had a passion for photography and was described by friends as cheerful and adorable. Nichols was just minutes from his home in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 7, 2023, when he was stopped by police and fatally beaten. Since then, five Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes.
(Courtesy of the Nichols family via AP)
“The senseless loss of life for Tire Nichols has really hit us hard,” Jenkins said. “And it’s been hard being on the road, not being home. And I wish I could extend my arms through this camera right now to the family. They’re going through a lot.”
The Timberwolves held a moment of silence before the game in Nichols’ honor, and LeBron James took to Twitter to offer his thoughts.
A view of a tribute to Tire Nichols before the start of the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center on January 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tire Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, died three days after being severely beaten by five Memphis Police Department officers during a traffic stop on January 7, 2023.
(David Berding/Getty Images)
Activist, nonprofit executive, podcast host, and educator Brittany Packnett Cunningham posted a tweet Friday morning ahead of police surveillance and body camera footage.
“What is really clear about some of the reactions to the #TyreNichols murder is that we have failed to fully understand race and its construction as a *systemic tool*.
The entire surveillance system sees the black body as a problem. It doesn’t matter who pulls the trigger,” Cunningham wrote.
LEBRON JAMES, NBA WORLD REACT TO VIDEO OF POLICE BEATING TIRE NICHOLS: ‘WE ARE OUR WORST ENEMY’
On Friday night, James quoted him on Twitter and responded, “TOO FACTUAL!!”
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul shared his condolences and called for a trade.
“Change is needed at all levels and we all need to do our part. We cannot lose our humanity as a society.
To the Nichols family and the Memphis community, my heart goes out to you tonight,” Paul wrote on Twitter.
The NBA also issued its statement shortly after the video of Nichols’ death was released.
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“The unnecessarily interrupted footage of Tire Nichols’ life is horrific,” the league said. “While there have been steps toward accountability in this case, the NBA family remains committed to partnering with advocates, legislators and law enforcement to work on solutions to the issues we continue to face.”