As the player empowerment movement in college athletics grows, it has now come to K-State, where multiple football players on Twitter have gone to take a stand against a tweet from a KSU student.
On Thursday, Jaden McNeil, a junior at Kansas State and in his Twitter bio states that he is “President and Founder of America First Students” which says they are a “Student Organization for strong borders, traditional families, the American worker, and Christian values.”, tweeted this:
https://twitter.com/McNeilJaden/status/1276255988732039168?s=20
K-State football and basketball players responded to McNeil’s tweet on Thursday and Friday, voicing their displeasure.
Chrissy Carr, JR G
Please respect my decision. pic.twitter.com/S74a0hwPYe
— Chrissy Carr (@chrissycarr4) June 26, 2020
Jonathan Alexander, SR DB
https://twitter.com/CatchaplayJ/status/1276624472888541185?s=20
Josh Youngblood, SO WR
And he go to kstate ?? Naw sum gotta change now fr. @KState y’all need to do something https://t.co/FZStP7Uf3B
— Joshua Youngblood (@joshyoungblood_) June 26, 2020
Tee Denson, FR DB
i refuse to play for a program that tolerates ignorance such as this .. @KState https://t.co/KfFN14t6sR
— Tee Denson (@teedenson) June 26, 2020
AJ Parker, SR DB
This is one of those people who refuse to understand. I’ll never know how you can justify taking a mans life and then call yourself a Christian. I’m praying for you https://t.co/EuzFPrGOcb
— AJ Parker (@parkersisland) June 26, 2020
Walter Neil JR, SR DB
YES, I am a football player BUT I’m a BLACK man first …. @KState Get this handled NOW … Sh** is ridiculous! https://t.co/J9ZazPczl7
— Walter Neil Jr (@1WayWalt) June 26, 2020
Malik Knowles, SO WR
What makes you think Is something cool to say bro .. @KState we have to make a change https://t.co/mnvEPYw7TP
— Malik⁴🕵🏽♂️ (@Leekfor6) June 26, 2020
Antonio Gordon, SO F
https://twitter.com/AntonioGordon_/status/1276598209234731010?s=20
As the tweet picked up steam overnight and into the early parts of the morning, K-State President Richard Myers, head football coach Chris Klieman and head basketball coach Bruce Weber released statements via Twitter.
We are launching an immediate review of the university’s options. Black Lives Matter at Kansas State University and we will continue to fight for social justice.
— K-State (@KState) June 26, 2020
Our program and our coaches will continue to be part of the solution when it comes to racial injustice. I love our players and they know I have their backs.
— Chris Klieman (@CoachKli) June 26, 2020
Recent tweets from a K-State student downplaying the Black Lives Matter effort and the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd are disgusting and totally inappropriate and not reflective of who we are as a University or our Athletic Department.
— Gene Taylor (@KSTATEADGT) June 26, 2020
I am united with all our #KState student-athletes for using their voices to stand up to racism and injustice. This disgusting comment is not representative of the K-State that I know and love. I strive to continue to work with our team on solutions and against all hate.
— Bruce Weber (@coachbruceweber) June 26, 2020
If you buy a house in a neighborhood…. and find a mean sign in your yard the next day…. will you move??? What if your neighbor put the sign up? We can’t give Hate a platform!!! And we ain’t moving!!!! https://t.co/A1oaSbLaDQ
— K-State Coach Van B Malone (@VanBMalone3rd) June 26, 2020
For more on this story, KMAN News Director Brandon Peoples has more on how the university is handling matters here: https://1350kman.com/k-state-president-condemns-student-tweet-downplaying-death-of-george-floyd/
