INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts have said they will be backing their players when the issue of social injustice continues to be at the forefront of society.
Those words were turned into action on Thursday morning by the team cancelling their scheduled training camp practice.
While most NFL teams decided to still hold practice on Thursday, with meetings on this issue following at some point in the day, the Colts joined the Lions, Jets and Washington as teams electing to stay away from the field.
About an hour before the Colts were supposed to hit the practice field on Thursday, the team released this statement:
The Colts will not practice today. Instead, the team will use the day to discuss and work toward making a lasting social impact and inspiring change in communities.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the Thursday morning meeting led to Colts players and coaches registering to vote, after Reich met with his leadership council on Wednesday night. Jacoby Brissett continues to be the major player voice behind all of this.
On Thursday afternoon, Kenny Moore took to Twitter to back what Brissett has done off the field.
“Definitely thankful for this human being. His push for change empowers me to do so much more. Honored to stand with Jacoby as well as this organization. Proud to be a Colt.”
Along with Brissett, Colts players Darius Leonard, Marlon Mack, Kenny Moore, Nyheim Hines, Bobby Okereke, Zach Pascal, Mo Alie-Cox, Anthony Walker, Parris Campbell, Jacob Eason, Jonathan Taylor, Julian Blackmon, Javon Patterson, Reece Fountain, Zaire Franklin, Kemoko Turay, George Odum were among those who expressed their support on social media for the team cancelling practice.
Back in June, Reich and Chris Ballard were outspoken in voicing the need to listen to their players, cancelling football specific Zoom meetings, instead focusing on the social injustice matters in our country.
It was the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday first boycotting their Game 5 playoff contest with the Magic starting the domino that has now reached multiple professional sports leagues over the last 24 hours.
Currently, the Colts are scheduled to have practice on Friday morning and Saturday afternoon before an off day on Sunday.
It remains to be seen if that schedule will remain, as the Colts prepare for their season opener on September 13th.
