Text of a statement from Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown about his January arrest by Milwaukee police during an interaction over a parking
violation:
My experience in January with the Milwaukee Police Department was wrong and shouldn’t happen to anybody. What should have been a simple parking ticket
turned into an attempt at police intimidation
Authentic John Tavares Jersey , followed by the unlawful use of physical force, including being handcuffed and tased, and then unlawfully booked. This
experience with the Milwaukee Police Department has forced me to stand up and
tell my story so that I can help prevent these injustices from happening in the
future.
Situations like mine and worse happen every day in the black community. Being a voice and a face for people who won’t be heard and don’t have the same
platform as I have is a responsibility I take seriously. I am speaking for
Dontre Hamilton of Milwaukee, Laquan McDonald of Chicago, Stephon Clark of
Sacramento, Eric Garner of New York, and the list goes on. These people aren’t
able to speak anymore because of unjust actions by those who are supposed to
”serve and protect” the people.
The common denominator in all of these situations has been racism towards the minority community, the abuse of power, and the lack of accountability for
officers involved. The lack of repercussions for the police officers involved in
so many of these cases is offensive. This is a slap in the face to the victims’
families and communities.
Black men shouldn’t have to have their guard up and instantly be on the defensive when seeing a police officer, but it’s our reality and a real problem.
There must be mutual respect and both sides have to figure out how to accomplish
this.
There are no easy solutions to this problem, but there are strides that can be made to create change. I will do my part in helping to prevent similar
incidents from happening to the minority community in the future.
This is bigger than me. My family
Cheap Hayden Hurst Jersey , friends, legal team, Priority Sports, Milwaukee Bucks, the black community and the communities of all who stand
against injustice plan to continue the fight. Peaceful support to ensure no
further damage to our community is the only way to respond. I know many of you
will share my anger and frustration, but for our community to progress and grow,
we need to build on what we already have and not destroy it. I will take legal
action against the Milwaukee Police Department to continue forcing change in our
community.
The value Saints coach Sean Payton sees in Benjamin Watson has little to do with the career-best receiving numbers the veteran tight end put up
the last time he played for New Orleans in 2015.
Watson wasn't a featured receiver then, and won't likely be this season, either.
Payton figures he can count on Watson being an exemplary leader in the locker room, a willing role player who'll rarely blow an assignment ??and someone who
remains skilled enough at age 37 to help Drew Brees punish defenses that pay too
much attention to star play-makers such as receiver Michael Thomas and running
back Alvin Kamara.
Recalling a 2015 game in which Watson caught 10 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta, Payton said
Youth Jeremy Kerley Jersey , "I don't know that the game plan called for that. It's kind of just how it unfolded."
"With Ben, you know he's someone that has versatility and he's a super teammate," Payton said. "He's been a real dependable player. ... You know
exactly what you're getting and there's a value in that."
Similarly, Watson said it would be too simplistic to view his 2015 receiving numbers ??74 catches for 825 yards and six touchdowns ??as a main reason for his
return to New Orleans after two years with Baltimore.
"I don't know what to expect. Every year is different," Watson said after a voluntary offseason practice on Thursday. "Even when I was here the last time
... I was here three years and my role was different every single year.
"You contribute in different ways. You're healthy or not healthy. Another guy's healthy or not healthy. You may be strong in one position and weaker in
other positions," Watson said. "There's just this mix that happens every single
year and you really don't know what it is, really, until the end of the
year."
While Watson joined the Ravens in 2016, he missed that season because of a right Achilles tear. He came back last season, playing in all 16 games and
catching 61 passes for 522 yards and four TDs.
"I proved last year that I can be dependable, that I can play the game and that I can contribute in a number of different ways
http://www.patriotsauthorizedshop.com/authentic-jason-mccourty-jersey ," said Watson, who signed a one-year, $2 million free agent contract with the
Saints in late March. "That's why you sign guys to your team."
Watson has attended two of three voluntary practices open to media so far this offseason and doesn't seem to have lost the chemistry he'd developed with
quarterback Drew Brees, whom Watson calls "No. 9."
Watson does not describe himself as the type of dynamic play-maker who'll be Brees' No. 1 option on a lot of plays called, but added, "When you got a guy
like No. 9 who can identify mismatches and knows what the coverage is going to
do before it does it, then you get the ball."
Watson began his career with New England, which made him a late-first-round draft choice out of Georgia in 2004. He was a Super Bowl champion as a
seldom-used rookie, but hasn't won a ring since establishing himself as an NFL
regular.
Watson views his return to New Orleans as a chance to join a contender, something the Saints weren't when he last played for them in 2015.
Last season, boosted by a core of rookies and second-year players in prominent roles
Authentic Mike Remmers Jersey , the Saints came one play away from advancing to the NFC championship game.
"It's about going places where not only do you have some familiarity ??you enjoyed being there ??but also giving yourself an opportunity to win," Watson
said. "Winning is a big deal. It doesn't happen for a lot of players over the
course of their career."
With the Saints, Watson said, "You have the coaching staff, you have the front office, you have the fan base, you have the quarterback. ... That's
definitely made coming to New Orleans very attractive."
.
