Giants' Saquon Barkley, Jets' Jamal Adams condemn racism in players' strong message to NFL

New York Giants teammates Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard and New York Jets star Jamal Adams are among a group of more than a dozen of the NFL's most prominent players who united for a powerful video message to the league and public condemning racism.

The 71-second video was released on social media platforms Thursday nightand also includes Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Cleveland Browns wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu and Arizona Cardinals teammates DeAndre Hopkins and Patrick Peterson, among others.

The players called on the NFL to send a statement defending black players and condemning systemic racism and police brutality encountered by the black community.

“On behalf of the National Football League this is what we, the players would like to hear you state,” the players say in the video. “We the National Football League condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people. We the National Football League admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. We the National Football League believe Black Lives Matter.”

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas opens the video with the statement: "It's been 10 days since George Floyd was brutally murdered," and the players then take turns asking the question, "What if I was George Floyd?"

The players then name several of the black men and women who have recently been killed, including Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Eric Garner.

"I am George Floyd," Hopkins says, followed by Adams' emphatic: "I AM Breonna Taylor."

In similar fashion, the players mention: Arbery, Garner, Laquan McDonald, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Walter Scott, Michael Brown Jr., Samuel Dubose, Frank Smart, Phillip White and Jordan Baker.

Giants:Saquon Barkley on George Floyd death, protests: 'Racism and injustice can not exist'

The video closes with the players insisting they "will not be silenced," asking the NFL to condemn "racism and the systemic oppression of black people. We, the National Football League, admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter."

The NFL followed up its original statement from commissioner Roger Goodell with another on its official social media accounts Thursday, stating its commitment to "continuing the important work to address these systemic issues together with our players, clubs and partners."

In an Instagram post, the league wrote: "This is a time of self-reflection for all — the NFL is no exception. We stand with the black community because Black Lives Matter.”

The league indicated plans to donate an additional $20 million to programs that address systemic racism with the acknowledgement: "We can and need to do more.”

Art Stapleton is the Giants beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Giants analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and sign up for our NFC East newsletter.  

Email: stapleton@northjersey.com Twitter: @art_stapleton