See how the sports world is reacting to the decision in the Breonna Taylor case
A Jefferson County grand jury on Wednesday indicted one of three Louisville police officers involved in the March killing of 26-year-old Breonna Taylor. A search warrant was being served at Taylor’s apartment on March 13 and she was killed when her boyfriend and the officers exchanged gunfire.
The grand jury indicted Brett Hankison on three counts of wanton endangerment for firing his weapon into adjacent apartments, not for actions that contributed to Taylor’s death. Hankison was fired by the Louisville Metro Police Department in the wake of the shooting. The grand jury declined to indict the other two officers.
Prominent figures within the sports world have been outspoken about the case in the months since Taylor’s death. On Wednesday, many reacted on social media to the grand jury’s decision.
Shortly after the news broke, University of Kentucky football associate head coach Vince Marrow tweeted: “My prayers are with Breonna Taylor’s family first and foremost. In the end God has the final say. I also want to pray for the whole state of Kentucky and especially Louisville whatever the outcome is. Kentucky we can show the world from here on out this is a good place. Rip Breonna.”
Marrow followed that up with a post encouraging people to remain peaceful, but to also make sure they vote in November’s elections.
Former University of Kentucky women’s basketball star Makayla Epps tweeted: “Z E R O Justice Served.”
NBA star LeBron James expressed condolences to Taylor’s loved ones Wednesday night, writing on Twitter: “Was I surprised at the verdict. Absolutely not but damnit I was & still am hurt and heavy hearted! I send my love to Breonna mother, family and friends! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!!”
Former NFL wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion Torrey Smith also weighed in on Twitter, writing “We already knew (Breonna Taylor) wasn’t going to receive the justice that she deserved. I’m not even surprised.”
Ex-University of Kentucky volleyball star Leah Edmond tweeted “An absolute joke.”
NBA star DeMarcus Cousins, who also starred for one year at the University of Kentucky, also expressed frustration with the decision via Twitter.
Soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who captained the United States women’s national team to the gold medal in the 2019 FIFA World Cup, tweeted: “My heart is with the family of Breonna Taylor right now. My god. This is devastating and unfortunately not surprising. Black and brown folx in this country deserve so much more.”
Former University of Louisville basketball star Donovan Mitchell wrote on Twitter that he’s “praying for the city of Louisville right now,” while former Cardinal Montrezl Harrell wrote that Louisville became “another home” to him during his time with the team and that the Taylor decision has left him “speechless.”
The Women’s National Basketball Association has played a prominent role in amplifying the Black Lives Matter movement and advocating on Breonna Taylor’s behalf. Following Wednesday’s grand jury decision, New York Liberty star Layshia Clarendon wrote on Twitter: “We time and time again hope for a sliver of justice but why would we get that when the system is designed to protect the very folks that are murdering and terrorizing us.”
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who helped ignite a renewed national conversation about police brutality and social justice by refusing to stand for the national anthem before games in 2016, tweeted Wednesday night: “The white supremacist institution of policing that stole Breonna Taylor’s life from us must be abolished for the safety and well being of our people.”
New Orleans Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas reacted on Twitter Wednesday night.
This story was originally published September 23, 2020 at 4:44 PM.
