Kansas State players announce boycott over student's social media post
A Kansas State student’s social media post has some Wildcats athletes saying they will not play or practice until the university expels the student.
This week, KSU student Jaden McNeil sparked outrage with a tweet mocking the late George Floyd. Now multiple Kansas State athletes, including football players, are using Twitter to share a statement announcing a boycott:
“To our family at Kansas State: Due to the recent disparaging, insensitive, and unsettling comments made by a fellow student, we as a football team, after consultation with students from campus organizations, as well as students from the general student body, feel it is best for us to stand with the students,” the graphic read. “We are demanding that Kansas State University put a policy in place that allows a student to be dismissed for displaying openly racist, threatening or disrespectful action toward a student or groups of students. We have resolved that we cannot play, practice, or meet until these demands are heard and actions taken. We love Kansas State but we must stand together and protect all students moving forward.”
No comment … 23 out until further notice 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/zX8Z0W7UK5
— Joshua Youngblood (@YB060) June 27, 2020
WE ARE ONE.. @KState pic.twitter.com/xaoj1emdJx
— Jonathan Alexander🦍 (@CatchaplayJ) June 27, 2020
KSU student-athletes in other sports signed on with the boycott:
If nothing is done, I will not be representing this Univisity either. Chase if nothing is done mean they support it! https://t.co/IKkNCYohkV
— DaJuan Gordon (@Thatboyquaye) June 26, 2020
Please respect my decision. pic.twitter.com/S74a0hwPYe
— christianna mae (@chrissycarr4) June 26, 2020
Kansas State’s athletic director also condemned McNeil’s tweet:
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
KSU president Richard Myers says the school is looking into its options:
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
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