NCCU's LeVelle Moton Discusses 'Silent' White Head Coaches amid Protests

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistMay 31, 2020

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North Carolina Central men's basketball coach LeVelle Moton expressed what he believes is a lack of solidarity shown by white coaches when it comes to situations like the death of George Floyd.

During an appearance on ESPN Radio's Sunday Morning, Moton said coaches can enjoy competitive and financial success thanks in part to black student-athletes but then remain "silent" when black people are the victims of systemic racism (via ESPN.com's Myron Medcalf):

"The reality is a lot of these coaches have been able to create generational wealth. Their grandkids' kids are gonna be able to live a prosperous life because athletes who were the complexion of George Floyd were able to run a football, throw a football, shoot a basketball or whatever have you so they have been able to benefit from athletes that look like George Floyd and many more. But whenever people [who are] the complexion of George Floyd are killed, assassinated, murdered in the street in broad daylight, they're silent."

ESPN Radio @ESPNRadio
Thanks to @LeVelleMoton for joining @MedcalfByESPN & @ESPN_Schick for 40 minutes today, on "Sunday Morning." As #GeorgeFloydProtests take place around the country, he calls for Power 5 coaches to stand up for their players. Full Interview --> https://t.co/8cniHIIUJ2 https://t.co/TDqyOIjlyj

While investigating a report of an alleged forgery May 25, officers from the Minneapolis Police Department removed Floyd from his car and placed him on the ground. One officer, Derek Chauvin, placed his knee on Floyd's neck, and Floyd could be heard saying he was unable to breathe. He died later at a local hospital.

Prosecutors charged Chauvin with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for his role in Floyd's death.

Across the country, protestors have taken to the streets to voice their anger over police brutality and systemic racism.

In a series of tweets Thursday, Moton recounted when he was pulled over and ordered out of his vehicle at gunpoint while driving with former North Carolina and NBA guard Raymond Felton in 2005:

LeVelle Moton @LeVelleMoton
"Stay Calm"...Soon after, the cop siren goes off and I pull over. He and his partner rush my my truck, and jerks my door open with guns pulled. He snatches me out the truck, and forces me to spread eagle on my truck. He's kicking my ankles forcing me to spread my legs while his

LeVelle Moton @LeVelleMoton
on the curb. They're yet to tell me why they pulled me. They ask "Can they search my truck" and I say "NO"! They say "Its because you got dope in the car huh"?....I'm screaming for him to get his hands off me and now Ray is telling me to stay calm because my mom is terrified.

LeVelle Moton @LeVelleMoton
and says "These are not dope boys...This is LeVelle Moton & Raymond Felton....after they break their huddle, the initial officer walks up and says "Aye man, I apologized but you fit the description of a call we received" He said "Please accept my apology cuz I dont want u to

LeVelle Moton @LeVelleMoton
My mom was crying, I was emotionally paralyzed but was thankful just to be alive. When I see brothers like George Floyd and countless others, I'm triggered. My stomach turns and my heart becomes heavy for their love ones. Its more than a hashtag...Its personal for many who can

At the end of the thread, Moton said he wanted to "challenge NCAA Coaches to publicly support George Floyd and his family during this tumultuous time and see that justice is brought to his name."

He reiterated his point in Sunday's interview, saying coaches' focus toward and support of their black players is often too limited to their performance.

"When it's time for humanity to speak up on behalf of the student athlete, it's silent, it's crickets," Moton said. "And my problem is if the murdering of black Americans is too risky of an issue for you to stand up as a leader, then who are they really playing for?"