Grizzly Memphis Coach Taylor Jenkins watched a television interview on Friday about Tire Nichols’ mother talking about losing her son and losing control of her emotions.
“I cried,” Jenkins said.
Outrage, frustration, sadness and anger were evident across the basketball world on Friday, the day a video was released showing Nichols, a 29-year-old father, being killed by five Memphis police officers. . The NBA, WNBA and several teams have issued statements in support of the families, as well as the players’ unions.
Emotions are palpable, as has been the case many times after so many other incidents of police violence against Black men and women in recent years.
“This is crazy,” said Heat Miami coach Erik Spoelstra, who opened Friday’s pre-match press conference by talking about Nichols before there were any questions.
The officers, who are also Black, all face charges of second-degree murder as well as aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official coercion.
The Grizzlies played a game in Minneapolis – the city where George Floyd, a Black man, was killed in 2020 after a white police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck in an act that sparked protests worldwide protests over police brutality and racism – on Friday night with a heavy heart.
Jenkins told Bally Sports, the Grizzlies’ broadcast partner, in a pre-match interview: “The senseless death of Tire Nichols has really hit us hard. “It’s tough being on the road and not at home. I wish I could put my arms around this camera right now with my family. They’re going through so much.”
There was a moment of silence before the game in Minnesota. Jenkins then went on to speak out about what it means to represent Memphis at such a difficult time for the Grizzlies.
“There’s a lot more difficult things going on in the city than what’s happening with our basketball right now,” Jenkins said after his team’s 111-100 loss. “I’m proud of our boys going to the field. We’re playing with a heavy heart, but we’re also playing for our city, which is going through a lot right now.”
Hours before kick-off, Grizzlies advance Jaren Jackson Jr. tweeted“For the Nichols family, me and my teammates have been paying attention. We are with you. For Memphis, we are also hurting. Peaceful protest, family support, encouragement. Pushing for accountability is what is needed in this moment.”
For the Nichols family, my teammates and I have been paying attention. We are with you.
As for Memphis, we are also hurting.
Peaceful protest, family support, and accountability are what is needed at this time. 🤎
– JJJ (@jarenjacksonjr) January 27, 2023
The Grizzlies players did not appear in the media after the game.
Nichols was on his way home from taking pictures of the sky on January 7 when he was stopped by police. He’s just minutes from the house he shares with his mother and stepfather.
Video of the murder was released on Friday night. Jenkins said he hasn’t seen the video released shortly before the game, and to his knowledge neither has his team.
Several teams, including Miami, Atlanta, Cleveland, Minnesota and Milwaukeetogether with Memphis, issued statements.
#JusticeForTyre pic.twitter.com/gYY8AgCVbd
– Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 27, 2023
“We are outraged by the fatal beating that Tire Nichols received from five Memphis police officers,” the Bucks said in their statement. “While being charged with police officers for their atrocities is an important step towards justice, this incident further highlights the need to make progress in improving relations.” between the police and the community.”
The NBA released a statement about two hours after the video of Nichols’ death was released, while protests were taking place in many cities.
The federation said: “The images of Tire Nichols’ life being unnecessarily truncated are appalling. “While steps have been taken towards accountability in this case, the NBA family remains committed to working with advocates, policymakers and law enforcement to find a solution. for the problems we continue to have.”
WNBA said it will “continue to be a voice for those who face discrimination, racism and injustice, and will work to create meaningful, systematic change in communities.” our.”
Video footage from January 7 shows police repeatedly assaulting Nichols with fists, boots and batons for three minutes, shouting obscenities at him throughout the attack, before leaving him on sidewalk leaning against a police car.
When Nichols collapsed in the car, no officers came to help. Body-mounted camera footage shows a first-person view of one of them bending over and tying his shoelaces. It took more than 20 minutes after Nichols was beaten and lying on the sidewalk before any form of medical attention was provided, although two fire department officers arrived on the scene with medical equipment within 10 minutes. minute.
Nichols died three days later.
In its statement, the NBPA said that “such aggressive policy and excessive force demonstrate the continuing need for accountability within the justice system.” The union said it will “continue to monitor the investigation and legal proceedings to seek justice for Tire and his family.”
“We are outraged,” the National Women’s Basketball Players Association said. “The police killing of Tire Nichols marks the continuation of horrific police brutality against another Black man. This appalling police misconduct endangers all of us and undermines erodes the continuing decline of police confidence in our community.”
The WNBPA’s statement concluded, “Enough is enough. We have no choice but to testify to the life and death of Tire Nichols and the moral obligation to demand the better of our society. Moments This moment will and must shake our nation to its core. Maybe they also push us to act. Not anymore.”
phoenix sun guard and former president of NBPA Chris Paul also called for the change in a tweet on Friday night.
“Change is needed at all levels and we all need to do our part,” Paul wrote. “We cannot lose our humanity as a society. To the Nichols family and the Memphis community, my heart is with you tonight.”
Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, warned supporters about the “horrible” nature of the video but pleaded for peace.
Protesters gathered for mostly peaceful demonstrations in many cities, including Memphis, where dozens of protesters blocked the Interstate 55 bridge that leads traffic across the Mississippi River toward Arkansas. Semitruck was backed up a distance. In Washington, dozens of protesters gathered in Lafayette Park, across from the White House and near Black Lives Matter Plaza.
Jenkins said he hopes citizens of Memphis rally around each other.
“My words will only mean so much,” Jenkins said. “I want to continue to encourage people to put their arms around each other, the Nichols family, the Wells family, to remember the beautiful life in Tire Nichols – who I don’t know, but I’m learning about .”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
