Packers cancel practice for discussion on racial injustice

[Cheesehead]

GREEN BAY – Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur made the decision to cancel practice Thursday after a meeting with the team's leadership council and an emotional discussion with the roster over racial inequality and social-justice issues.


LaFleur first met with the leadership council following Monday's practice to discuss the video showing a police officer shooting a 29-year-old Black man, Jacob Blake, in the back multiple times in Kenosha, Wis.


The incident led to the Milwaukee Bucks choosing to boycott Game 5 of their NBA playoff series on Wednesday to shed "light on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African American communities."


Later that day, the Milwaukee Brewers also opted against playing their scheduled game against Cincinnati to draw attention to "issues that really matter, especially racial injustice and systematic oppression."


LaFleur said he spoke with members of the Packers' leadership council Wednesday night and then called another meeting with the veterans on Thursday morning.


Afterwards, in lieu of offensive and defense meetings, the Packers' coaches met with their position groups before the team reconvened to brainstorm and share ideas about what players and the organization can do to "help make a significant change."


"Certainly there's a lot of raw emotion that comes out in these meetings with players that come from different backgrounds, that come from different experiences," LaFleur said. "They really pour their heart out there and you feel for these guys. (We) just want to continue to listen and see what we can do to make a positive impact in this society."


LaFleur said the decision to cancel practice came from "some really long conversations" and feeling the emotion of the room. Afterwards, several players commented on social media regarding the powerful nature of the meeting.


LaFleur, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' leadership committee have been vocal regarding the need for social-justice reform in recent months, producing a two-minute video, "It's time for change" in early June following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.