Dan Quinn, Eric Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles among those to share MLK appreciation
On the 50th anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in Memphis, NFL personnel took time on social media to recognize the contributions of the civil rights leader.
One of the most notable recognitions for King on Wednesday was from Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn. King was born and raised in Atlanta.
On this day we should all take a moment and reflect on the impact MLK had on our nation! #MLK50 pic.twitter.com/JRv0v3MB64
— Dan Quinn (@FalconsDQ) April 4, 2018
Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson expressed his appreciation for how King’s efforts opened up opportunities in his own life.
I was born on 9/2/60 in Sealy TX. I attended segregated schools and lived on the black side of town. God sent us Martin Luther King Jr and I was able to attend @SMU and realize my dream of playing football in the @NFL. I now live in Calabasas CA. Thanks MLK!#MLK50 #IHaveADream
— Eric Dickerson (@EricDickerson) April 4, 2018
Tight end Ben Watson, who recently signed with the New Orleans Saints and was a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award finalist this past season, took part in the MLK50 Conference in Memphis in which Christians discussed “the state of racial unity in the church and the culture.”
What a privilege to join #MLK50Conference today in Memphis. Thank you @ERLC and @TGC for creating a space for such authentic convicting biblical and challenging dialogue. #MLK50 pic.twitter.com/p6TV1XIzsB
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) April 4, 2018
According to Zach Berman of Philly.com, the Philadelphia Eagles took out an ad in both of the city’s main newspapers to recognize King. The Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champions, have been progressive when it comes to their players protesting for social issues.
The Eagles took out an ad in today’s Inquirer and Daily News honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: pic.twitter.com/axl8aAlkZh
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) April 4, 2018
The NFL Players Association not only recognized King’s contributions to racial and cultural causes, but also what he did for workers. When King was assassinated, he was in Memphis because of a sanitation workers strike.
It’s been 50 years since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a champion for many nobel causes, the last of which was the labor movement in Memphis to support the Sanitation Workers Strike in their push for better working conditions. #MLK50 pic.twitter.com/BrcnLOKiOX
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 4, 2018
Dr. King knew the strength of true unity across labor, racial and cultural lines, and we are all better for his legacy and life's work. #MLK50
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 4, 2018
Colin Kaepernick, who has become well known for kneeling during the national anthem to bring attention to social causes such as police brutality, hadn’t tweeted anything directly about King as of Wednesday evening. But he did retweet this message about King:
America decided to love Martin Luther King Jr. AFTER he was assassinated and no longer a threat to disrupting order and creating real change.
— LEFT⚫️ (@LeftSentThis) April 4, 2018
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Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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