Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher on race relations: ‘We can’t afford to sit this one

COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher has weighed in on the death of native Houstonian George Floyd, 46, a black man who died in Minneapolis police custody on Monday after white officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck and pinned him to the ground, as Floyd pleaded that he could not breathe.

Protests have occurred across the country following Floyd’s senseless death, including on Friday night and into Saturday morning in downtown Houston. Chauvin has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

“My heart, and the hearts and souls of the young men who belong to our program, have been broken by the senseless violence we’ve all witnessed,” Fisher said in a statement released by the university. “It is unimaginable and unacceptable that racism still plays a large role in our society in the year 2020. We are all different and have all been shaped by our own diverse experiences.”

Fisher, 54, grew up in a small town in West Virginia, and began coaching soon after playing quarterback at Samford University.

“My life has been shaped by the many young men of all different races and religions that I have had the honor of coaching,” Fisher continued. “Without them and our support staff, I wouldn’t have realized my dreams and achieved my successes as a coach. I stand with them and pray that we can be part of a better society for everyone.

“I am in the privileged position to impact the many young men that run out of the tunnel with me on Saturdays. The weight of this responsibility is something I consider every day.”

Fisher is white and about two-thirds of his A&M roster is made up of African-American players.

“While I can’t pretend to comprehend the pain felt by the black community, I want to do my part to bring about the change we are all desperately seeking,” Fisher said. “This starts with an open and honest dialogue where everyone can be heard and their feelings supported. When adversity challenges us, our greatest triumph as a team comes from standing together, as a family, a family of all races and backgrounds.

“We can’t afford to sit this one out.”