Muschamp, South Carolina football players join in peaceful protest march

South Carolina football players, coaches and staff members participated in “positive, peaceful protests” at the governor’s mansion and State House on Friday afternoon.

Gamecock coach Will Muschamp and his wife, Carol, joined around 80 players in the larger “March of the State” event that pushed for racial equality and protested police brutality toward African Americans.

Sophomore receiver Dakereon Joyner said the team decided together to take part in Friday’s demonstration.

“We are here to show support and stand for what is right,” Joyner said. “... I’m a child of God, so I have faith and I think why not us? Why not this generation take a stand and put an end to racism and police brutality? It feels like it’ll never end, but we have to stand for what’s right.”

It was the seventh straight day of demonstrations in Columbia since George Floyd was killed in Minnesota. Floyd, a black man, died in Minneapolis when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. His death sparked nationwide outrage and renewed scrutiny of the deaths of black Americans in police custody.

“We play football but we are more than just football players,” quarterback Ryan Hilinski said. “We had a bunch of guys leading the pack, leading the change. We all have our views on politics and how the world should be. But we are doing it together with positive, peaceful protests.”

According to Hilinski, the team has had good dialogue about current events via video teleconferences this week with pastors and other important people in the state.

“Coach Muschamp made sure that was first and foremost, and it was a safe environment to talk to each other about,” Hilinski said. “We all know that we love and care for each other and want the best for each other.”

Joyner said he appreciated the support Muschamp and the rest of the coaching staff have shown during the past week.

“He is very supportive and very opening to listening,” Joyner said. “It is well appreciated when you have a coach that does well for the players and willing to hear what everyone has to say. He always leaves it open to have an open mic to talk.”

USC quarterback Jay Urich carried a sign that said, “Matter is the minimum. Black lives are worthy. Black lives are beloved. Black lives are needed.”

The group marched to the governor’s mansion first and then back to the State House, where they again stated their eight demands to S.C. House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford. The demands included requiring law enforcement to utilize body cameras at all times, investing in cultural and social training for law enforcement, requiring “duty to intervene” rules for other officers, and requiring law enforcement agencies to bear the cost of police misconduct.

“Stop telling us it’s just a couple of bad apples. ... Ladies and gentlemen, this is a systematic problem,” Rutherford said.

The Gamecocks are one of several college football teams that have joined in peaceful displays of protesting.

Missouri Tigers student-athletes, coaches, administrators and members organized a demonstration walk Wednesday in Columbia, Missouri. Texas football players and coach Tom Herman marched with members of the Austin Police Department to the state capitol building in Austin on Thursday afternoon.

On Friday, Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops and his players took part in a march in downtown Lexington.

USC football players began to arrive on campus this week for summer workouts, which begin Monday.

Gamecock coaches and athletes have been vocal in their support for change. USC women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley wrote a piece for the Players Tribune on the issues of racism and social injustice and participated in Saturday’s demonstration. Several of Staley’s players were seen at demonstrations at the State House this week.

South Carolina men’s basketball coach Frank Martin will chair the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ Committee on Racial Reconciliation. The Committee, which “will be populated by a collection of coaches and administrators” and “has been charged with addressing issues related to racial injustice both within intercollegiate athletics and society at large,” the NABC announced this week.