CFL shows support for sporting community in stance against racial injustice
TORONTO — The Canadian Football League, its clubs and the CFL Players Association supported fellow pro sports leagues and their decision on Thursday to make a clear stance against racial injustice.
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said Thursday evening that the CFL “stands with our players and athletes across North America when they say, and show with their actions and concern, that black lives matter. We will continue to work with the CFLPA to fight racism in all its forms.”
We in the #CFL stand with our players and athletes across North America when they say, and show with their actions and concern, that black lives matter. We will continue to work with @CFLPA to fight #racism in all of its forms. #BLM
— Randy Ambrosie (@RandyAmbrosie) August 28, 2020
The Canadian Football Players Associated also sent a strong message, tweeting that it stands with all the pro leagues boycotting games in protest stating, “all athletes who are taking action for change because enough is enough.”
The @CFLPA stands with the @NBpa, @WNBA, @NHLPA, @NFLPA, @MLSPA, @MLB_PLAYERS and all athletes who are taking action for change, because enough is enough.
We will continue to work with our Association and League to stand together against #injustice, #racism, and #brutality.
— CFLPA (@CFLPA) August 27, 2020
The Calgary Stampeders, who are part of the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, aligned with the Calgary Flames in support of the NHL and NHLPA. The league and its players postponed playoff games in protest Thursday. In a united company statement, they said, “We applaud the athletes from all sports who have used their platforms to amplify this message and denounce racism in all forms.”
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/D0bI6IjJON
— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) August 28, 2020
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes echoed the sentiments of their fellow CFL club, both issuing statements on Twitter, which can be seen below.
— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) August 28, 2020
Games in the @NBA, @WNBA, @MLB & @MLS were postponed to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake. We fully support the players and their decision. The only way to bring change is to shine a light on the injustices that are happening in front of us. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻#EndRacism #Montréals
— Alouettes de Montréal (@MTLAlouettes) August 27, 2020
In June, CFL.ca featured a series of articles written from the voice of prominent black players, coaches and executives in the league as they used their own platform to shed a light on the racial injustice currently taking place. To read those and for more information on the CFL’s Diversity is Strength initiative, please click here.
