Russell Wilson’s Heartfelt Reason Why He Has Breonna Taylor’s Name On His Helmet
In recent months, the NFL has ramped up their efforts in helping create social change while supporting their players in the situation. It has seen the league move forward with actions that brought forth much-needed awareness to the ongoing matter. Seattle Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson has been among the most vocal. Wilson recently revealed why he has Breonna Taylor’s name on the back of his helmet.
NFL players continue to push for social change
There has been an increased push for social change across the United States, which has seen many sports leagues take action.
The NFL, behind its players, has become more active in the approach toward increasing these country-wide efforts. It has seen the NFL acknowledge Black Lives Matter and support their player’s desire to create change.
The league has committed to $250 million over the next 10 years to help end systemic racism. The NFL has also committed with symbolic gestures with meaningful messages and names during their 2020 season games. These are spread out in the end zones, around the stadiums, and on the back of their players’ helmets.
With all that in mind, Russell Wilson has opened up as to why he has Breonna Taylor’s name on the back of his helmet.
Russell Wilson’s reason why Breonna Taylor’s name is on his helmet
The last several weeks have seen an increased push from NFL players to bring more attention to social injustice.
The NFL has ramped up their efforts, including allowing players to put a name or short message on the back of their helmets. With that in mind, Russel Wilson has opened up as to why he chose to put Breonna Taylor’s name on his helmet for the 2020 season, according to Gregg Bell of The News Tribune.
“I have a daughter. I have a beautiful 3-year-old daughter,” Seattle’s franchise quarterback said, thinking of his and his wife’s girl Sienna after he starred in his team’s season-opening win at Atlanta Sunday. “And when I think about everything that has happened in our country, it has been an emotional time. An emotional time where there is a lot of hate in the world a lot of disappointing things that are happening.”
Wilson continued: “And when I think about Breonna, I think about somebody who seemed to be a gracious person from what we hear and what we read—but also somebody who was just trying to be at home.”
There is a personal connection for Wilson that brings it close to home regarding his three-year-old daughter. It’s a situation that brings forth the harsh reality that things are tough for any person of color, especially the Black community. Many social issues have created that sense of fear and obligation to make life safer for the next generation so that matters like what Taylor tragically went through can cease to exist.
More to come on the social change front from the NFL
Over the last couple of months, the NFL has ramped up their efforts toward bringing awareness to social issues.
It may have come after the players pushed the league into a corner, but actions started to outpour from them. There is much more ahead for the NFL as there are various other avenues that can be taken to help generate change.
The league has much influence in other realms aside from the game of football. The 32 ownership groups for each franchise have fingerprints on other industries around the country, including many political ties. The message is quite straightforward for the need for social change, and the NFL possesses the outside influences that can be tapped into to create that.
Ultimately, the league has many other routes available to help further increase these efforts.
