NFL weighs in on ‘senseless’ Tyre Nichols killing, insists it is ‘committed to combating injustice’

The National Football League has issued a statement condemning the “senseless” killing of Tire Nichols, a 29-year-old Memphis man, as the United States erupts in protests.

Memphis police released video of the events leading up to Nichols’ death, when officers beat him after a traffic stop for alleged reckless driving.

Nichols died in hospital just days after being beaten, and video shows him calling his mother after the assault that took place just blocks from his home.

The NFL, which has a history of supporting law enforcement while silencing players who criticize police practices, said it is “committed” to fighting injustice without mentioning officers in its statement.

“The NFL mourns the tragic and senseless death of Tire Nichols, and we send our condolences to his loved ones and the Memphis community,” a league statement read.

“We remain deeply committed to fighting the injustices and inequities that plague our society and will continue to work with our social justice partners to support our communities and fight for change.”

It was just a few years ago that the players decided to kneel to listen to the national anthem in protest of police brutality. In particular, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was one of the first to take this form of protest publicly.

Kaepernick’s protest was taken offensive by some people and the 49ers did not re-sign him, despite leading the team in passer rating and touchdowns on a team in the midst of a massive rebuild.

He filed a complaint against the league, accusing the owners of collusion to prevent him from playing. The NFL reached an agreement with Kaepernick and fellow protester and former Niners teammate Eric Reid.

Kaepernick had his first workout with a team since he was cut in May of this year, when the Raiders signed him. He did not sign a contract with the team.

The NFL Players Association also issued a statement Saturday, offering similar sentiments to the Nichols family.

“Our prayers are with the family and friends of Tire Nichols and all members of the Memphis community who are traumatized by this senseless murder,” the statement read.

‘We are all saddened by his death and we mourn with you.

‘This is yet another reminder that there is much work to be done in the fight against injustice in our country, and the work of our union and players to combat it must continue.

Just yesterday, the Memphis Grizzlies tweeted a statement of support for Nichols’ family while expressing their anger at the circumstances of his death.

“We are distraught to find ourselves dealing with an unnecessary loss of life due to police brutality, and this time it was one of Memphis’s own,” the Grizzlies’ statement said Friday.

“We are thinking of Nichols’ family and friends, and we share the pain felt throughout our community.

‘So let’s support each other and respect how our fellow Memphis cops. We have faith in this city and in our power to heal.

“To Nichols’ family and friends, we offer our deepest condolences and condolences on his loss.”

WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE AND DISTURBING CONTENT

In videos posted yesterday, Nichols can be heard yelling ‘Mom! Breast!’ while several police officers pin him to the ground, pepper-spray him in the face, kick and punch him in the head, and beat him with a metal baton.

Video shows police threw at least nine punches at the FedEx worker as he yelled profanity during the nearly four-minute altercation.

Even after paramedics arrived, a handcuffed Nichols remained slumped on the pavement for nearly half an hour without significant medical intervention.

Two officers hold Nichols to the ground as he moves, and then the third appears to kick him in the head. Nichols collapses more fully to the pavement with the three officers surrounding him. The same officer kicks him again.

The officer who used the pepper spray then extends a telescoping metal baton and yells, ‘I’m going to beat the crap out of him!’ before hitting Nichols three times in the back.

Several of the officers are seen lifting Nichols to his feet as one and punching him in the face. Nichols stumbles and turns, still held up by two officers.

The officer who hit him then walks to the front of Nichols and hits him three more times. Then Nichols breaks down.

Nichols is seen lying on the pavement for more than 19 minutes as at least eight police officers parade around the scene, rinsing their eyes with pepper spray.

Nearly half an hour into the assault, an ambulance finally arrives and a stretcher is unloaded to transport Nichols.

The five officers involved in the murder were charged with second-degree murder, with the district attorney saying that although they all played different roles, “everyone is responsible.”

Following the release of the videos, the Memphis Police Department announced that it would be disbanding its so-called ‘Scorpion’ unit, which was established in November 2021 as an anti-violence unit. Members of this unit were the officers who beat Nichols.

Police across the country were preparing for possible violent riots in response to the highly disturbing and graphic images that were made public.

The clips released Friday are over an hour long and include video from three body cameras and a surveillance camera mounted on a utility pole.

Viewers compared the video to footage of Rodney King, whose assault by multiple officers in the early 1990s sparked a series of riots in Los Angeles that affected many neighborhoods populated by people of color.