Colts: Players laying out plan to help community speaks to team’s leadership and dedication

The Colts are laying out a plan to help the community in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting.

The unified response from the sports world in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake has been incredibly moving. All three of the NBA, MLB and MLS postponed games as a means to protest social injustice and police brutality.

As far as the NFL is concerned, several teams canceled practices to show their solidarity. Some franchises released powerful statements — whether it be on social media or behind a microphone — and reached out to their respective communities.

Fans in Indianapolis will love hearing that the Colts gathered on Friday to issue a joint statement regarding its fight against racism.

“On behalf of the players, teams, coaches, staff, the organization, we’re here to say we’re hurt,” said quarterback Jacoby Brissett. “We’re hurt because we feel the pain of not only our black teammates, but our black community.”

The 27-year-old, alongside teammates and head coach Frank Reich announced that Indianapolis would use its platform and resources to help the community impact systemic change, weed out racism, and have uncomfortable conversations.

“Back in the spring when we came out of our three days of meetings, one message was really clear, that talk isn’t going to be enough,” Reich added. “Discussions are important, conversations need to be had, but more than anything we need action, and it needs to be systemic in our organization, through everybody.”

This is a powerful response from the Colts and we would expect nothing less as it really speaks to the cohesiveness and leadership from the front office to the roster.

Reich and general manager Chris Ballard have been prominent figures as it pertains to peaking out against social injustice. A few months ago, the duo held meetings to discuss this sensitive topic after George Floyd was killed while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers.

The circumstances are absolutely terrible, but the fact that the Colts taking action of this magnitude proves just how aligned this organization is on so many fronts.