Bulls statement on Chauvin conviction in George Floyd case originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Tuesday afternoon, a jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of second- and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.
The Bulls joined a wide chorus of professional sports franchises to issue a statement on the verdict.
"Today's guilty verdict in the murder of George Floyd was a step in the fight against systemic racism, but we know much work needs to be done," the statement read. "The Chicago Bulls organization reaffirms our commitment to bring about real change with equity and justice for everyone."
Chauvin, who is white, knelt on the neck of Floyd, who was Black, for over 9 minutes last May as Floyd repeated "I can't breathe"---all caught on video by a teenage girl.
The Bulls practiced Tuesday afternoon in Cleveland, holding access via Zoom with reporters who cover the team roughly an hour before the verdict was read in a Minneapolis courtroom. Troy Brown Jr. offered a thought via his Twitter account and also re-Tweeted several people who weighed in on the verdict.
Nancy and Michael Reinsdorf issued a statement in the wake of Floyd's murder last May 25 as well. And Zach LaVine, Coby White and former Bull Wendell Carter Jr. were some of the many players to address Floyd's death at the time.
The Bulls face the Cavaliers on Wednesday, another franchise who issued a statement on Tuesday.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.
