‘Relief and sadness:’ Chris Grier, one of five Black GMs, reflects on Chauvin verdict

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Chris Grier is one of just five Black NFL general managers, but he has rarely weighed in on social or political matters during his time in charge of the Miami Dolphins.

That changed in a major way Wednesday, when Grier opened his predraft news conference by reflecting on the Derek Chauvin guilty verdict.

Here is Grier’s complete, emotional statement, and a response to a follow-up question:

“Yesterday’s verdict was a very emotional day for me. For me as an African-American, there was a sense of relief and sadness. George Floyd was senselessly taken from family and friends. His story was one of many that have taken place in our communities over the years. It’s 2021 and yet people of color are still asking for equality and justice. The jury in Minnesota served notice that police brutality is unacceptable and people will be held accountable for their actions. We as a people should all be touched by the raw emotions of joy and relief by the verdict. The justice system worked for people of color yesterday. However, we cannot forget that a life was lost.

“I am proud of the work that our organization has done in the South Florida community over the years, led by Stephen Ross, Tom Garfinkel and Brian Flores. Our players are actively out in the community, trying to make a real difference. There’s a lot of work still to be done in terms of reform and equality. We will continue to do more and ask others to do so as well across the NFL. We have the opportunity to make things better for everyone in our country. There are a lot of good people that want to make a difference. It’s encouraging to hear the number of white people in big companies willing to be uncomfortable and speak out against systematic racism. There are a lot of good law enforcement officials who want change for the better. These are good men and women who uphold their oaths. We need to support them as well.

“We have made tremendous advancements in our way of life except for dealing with race. It’s not just [Black people] being affected. Look at what’s happening with all the hate that’s being directed towards the Asian community right now. I am hopeful but not naive to think that this verdict will change things. Politics and rhetoric have created a great divide in our country. We as an organization believe in bringing people together and valuing all human life, and I hope our country can move toward that too.”

Grier was then asked if he was surprised by the verdict.

Here was his response:

“You know me, Hal. I don’t dive into politics much on camera. But I think a lot of people were very hopeful that the verdict would come down the way it did, but just being honest, that always hasn’t happened, when things look like clearly something was wrong that has happened in this country. Particularly with people of color, it hasn’t turned out that way. That was the relief, I think some of the joy, but it’s also saddening that it takes people dying for people to realize that and want change. I was hopeful and then when it happened, I was happy.”