Raiders obtain backlash for ‘I can breathe’ tweet; proprietor Mark Davis says group will not delete put up

The Raiders on Tuesday obtained backlash for a tone-deaf tweet following the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Chauvin, who was seen on video kneeling on George Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, was convicted Tuesday on three costs in connection to the latter’s Could 25, 2020 loss of life: second-degree unintentional homicide, third-degree homicide and second-degree manslaughter. These convictions carry max sentences of 40, 20 and 10 years, respectively.

The decision prompted statements from a number of skilled leagues and groups, a lot of which said their continued assist to finish systemic racism and racial injustice. The Raiders tweeted a graphic with a single phrase: “I can breathe.”

The one-word assertion was seen by many as a flippant, tone-deaf reversal of Floyd’s cry of “I am unable to breathe,” which footage reveals he uttered greater than 20 occasions through the practically 10 minutes Chauvin knelt on his neck.

Others identified similarities to black-and-white T-shirts worn by supporters of the New York Police Division in December 2014; roughly 100 such supporters wore the shirts, which learn, “I can breathe, due to the NYPD.” The group additionally chanted, “Do not resist arrest,” clashing with one other group protesting a grand jury’s determination to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo for his position within the July 17, 2014 loss of life of Eric Garner.

Garner’s final phrases had been, “I am unable to breathe.”

Tashan Reed, the Raiders beat author for The Athletic, spoke with group proprietor Mark Davis, who defined the tweet was based mostly on statements made by Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd (he mentioned, “We’re in a position to breathe once more” following Chauvin’s conviction).