On an Instagram post, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has pledged $1 million “to improve police training and address systematic racism through education and advocacy in our country.”
It was Prescott’s first comments on social media regarding the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer last week.
“As our communities take action, protesting and fighting for the justice of George and every black life, I am with you!” Prescott wrote.
Prescott said he has battled with anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic without football. He also had to deal with the death of one of his brothers, Jace, who passed away in April.
“He and I shared the same mission: Find a bigger purpose,” Prescott wrote. “As I process the passing of my brother, I have come to realize we are not given a voice to pronounce how much we matter. It is our obligation to tell our neighbor how much they matter to use and take a stand for the greater good of each other.”
Born to a black father and Native American and white mother, Prescott said being multiracial “is beautiful and that is what this country is.”
While expressing the “utmost respect,” for police, he also asked them to change.
“I have the utmost respect for those of you with a passion for protecting and serving your communities. When you chose to wear the badge of a police officer, you pledged to PROTECT life and property through the enforcement of our laws and regulations. How can you claim to uphold the law when those within your ranks don’t abide by it? You need to hold your own accountable. Each of you are as guilty as the men who stood beside Derek Chauvin if you do not stand up against the systemic racism plaguing our police forces nationwide. TAKE ACTION!”
He said he would stand alongside the police in the reform.
“We will clean our streets and our communities not only of the looting and violence,” he wrote, “but most importantly the racism, racial-profiling and hate!”