As the United States continues to react to the death of George Floyd — a black man killed while being detained by Minneapolis police officers — officials, coaches and players from UNC have spoken up about the incident and the racial tensions in the country.

The actions of the police officers were captured on video and have since been widely shared on social media since Floyd’s detainment on Monday. Footage showed one police officer, who was white, holding his knee against Floyd’s neck and pinning him to the pavement. Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe before becoming unresponsive.

“As we struggle to comprehend these events,” said UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz in a statement, “we share your sadness, grief and frustration, and recognize the pain the recurrence of such senseless acts of violence and racism causes for so many members of our community.”

Michael Jordan released a statement through the Charlotte Hornets, saying his heart “goes out to the family of George Floyd and to the countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice.”

Many of UNC’s athletic coaches have since taken to social media to release statements of their own, mentioning both Floyd’s death and the death of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.

Arbery was killed while jogging by two white men in Georgia on February 23. The graphic video of Arbery’s death was released by his family and received national attention.

“The recent tragedies in Georgia and Minnesota are unacceptable,” Mack Brown wrote. “The violence has to stop.”

“The people of Minneapolis and others around the country who are peacefully protesting injustice have my complete support,” Roy Williams said in a statement. “What happened to George Floyd and has happened elsewhere is a tragedy and is something that we can no longer tolerate as a country.”

In addition to officials and coaches, athletes around the nation have also offered their thoughts on the situation. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow — who squared off in the national title game — came together to offer similar messages of support.

UNC quarterback Sam Howell released a statement through social media, saying he prays that “our nation can see beyond color and see people for who they really are.”

UNC basketball star Garrison Brooks shared a message of support for protesters, encouraging them to have their voices be heard.

Courtney Banghart and the UNC women’s basketball program released a statement on Monday, saying they “cannot and will not be silent when the lives of others are unfairly lost.”

Saturday evening saw many protests across the country, including those in downtown Raleigh and Durham.

Derek Chauvin — the officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck in the viral video — was arrested Friday morning and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. 

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