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Titans Sit Out Practice In Solidarity And Protest Of Police Brutality Toward Black Men

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Courtesy Tennessee Titansvia Twitter
Safety Kevin Byard and quarterback Ryan Tannehill spoke Thursday about why the team decided not to practice in solidarity with other professional athletes who are protesting police brutality toward Black men.
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The Tennessee Titans were scheduled to practice Thursday. Instead, team leaders decided they would sit out in solidarity with other athletes in protest of police brutality toward African Americans.

They released a brief, unscripted video press statement. Safety Kevin Byard, who is Black, shared that his second child was born Sunday — a son.

“And I have no clue what I’m going to tell them or what kind of world they’re going to grow up in in this country,” the former MTSU recruit says. “I’m begging and pleading to the powers that be, to please, please, we’re crying, spilling my heart out, that we need change as soon as possible.”

 

Coach Mike Vrabel said he was proud of the team and that he hopes to resume practice Friday, though he’s deferring to players.

Blake Farmer, Host, This Is Nashville

Blake Farmer is the host of “This Is Nashville,” the flagship weekday show of Nashville Public Radio. Previously, Blake spent 16 years at WPLN News, serving as host, editor and news director. Before a two-year radio hiatus with a Nashville-based healthcare company, Blake was one of the country’s most prolific healthcare audio journalists. He produced stories for both local and national programs, extending the reach of his reporting through a partnership with KFF Health News. Outside of work, Blake can be found running or biking on roads that other Nashvillians consider too busy for such activities. So far, he has always made it home to his wife of 20 years and two children.

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