Some NFL teams cancel practices in response to Jacob Blake shooting

TheChicago Bears,New York Jets,Green Bay Packers,Indianapolis Colts,Tennessee Titans,Denver Broncos,Arizona Cardinals,Los Angeles Chargersand Washington Football Team are among the NFL teams not practicing Thursday in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.

"In the wake of what has taken place in our backyard of Kenosha over the last couple of days, we as a team have a lot on our mind today," the Bears said in a statement. "We decided to pause our football activities to voice to each other, our coaches and our staff where we stand on the real issues around race and police brutality in our country.

"... We all agreed that talks and discussions are simply not enough anymore and we need action. We are putting in plans to take action in our communities and together we believe we can make a real difference. We need action not only today, but in the days to come."

The Jets' practice field was set up for the usual start at 9:20 a.m. ET, and some staff members were seen walking the field -- but it was confirmed at 9:24 that practice was canceled.

Coach Adam Gase and a few Jets players said Wednesday that they spoke about the shooting of Blake and racial injustice on Tuesday night, and the virtual meeting included team chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson.

Packers coach Matt LaFleurmade it clear the team's decision to cancel practice wasn't a boycott by the players. Instead, he made the decision after several hours of lengthy discussions both with the players' leadership committee and the whole team -- players and coaches -- together.

"Not one guy said that they didn't want to practice today; that didn't even come up," LaFleur said. "It was more or less we were having some really long conversations. When you feel that emotion in the room, it's hard to focus on football. It is emotionally draining for everybody in that room, so I made the decision that, hey, we're not going to go today. I just didn't think it was right. We'll see where we're at tomorrow when we reconvene.

"Right now, we've got a lot of guys in our locker room that are upset about a lot of different things that they see in the world and that they've experienced," LaFleur added. "... I don't know what our players have gone through. I'm a white guy that hasn't been put in certain situations, but I continue to try to listen and I'm going to do whatever I can in my power to help support equal rights."

Blake, a Black man, was shot seven times by police Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Blake was shot as he attempted to enter the driver's side door of his vehicle with three of his children inside. Video of the shooting was distributed on social media, sparking more protests and causing more athletes to speak out or take action.

Broncos running back Melvin Gordon grew up in Kenosha, and he and other players, coaches and staff posed for a team photo that was posted along with a statement on Twitter.

"While this tragedy took place in Melvin Gordon's hometown of Kenosha, this hits home for all of us," part of the statement read. "In the strongest terms, we condemn police brutality, excessive force and these senseless acts of violence that have caused so much pain. It is time for accountability and real policy reform."

The NFLPA and the NFL issued a joint statement Thursday saying they are "united more than ever" during these times, but also "share anger and frustration" after another shooting.

"While our passions continue to run high, we are proud that our players and clubs, league and union, are taking time to have the difficult conversations about these issues that affect the Black community and other communities of color in America,"the joint statement said.

"We will continue to not only use our collective platform to call out racism and injustice whenever and wherever it occurs in our country, but also fight together to eradicate it."

The Jacksonville Jaguarswere among the teams postponing the start of their practices, instead using the time to meet as a team to discuss social change.

Jaguars receiverChris Conleycalled on "figures who are the face of the league'' to do more to help fight social injustice. The sixth-year pro made it clear Thursday he was talking about the NFL's top quarterbacks, the ones who have the most influence in games.

"Until the people in the NFL who are irreplaceable decide that they're going to step back and going to hang it up for a week, two weeks, whatever it may be, but I don't foresee that happening,'' Conley said during a video call with reporters. "I think you have great leaders in this league. You have guys who have a voice and want to be heard and who are willing to make that sacrifice. I believe I'm one of them.

"But until those figures who are the face of the league decide that and people rally behind them, I don't think you see that, I don't think you see that from us. I hate to say that. I wish I could stand up and say with confidence that people in this league would band together for the least of these.''

The Dallas Cowboys did practice Thursday, but coach Mike McCarthy said conversations with players will continue as to what they should do.

"I have to be honest, it's hard to sit here and to think I have to talk about football today, especially with everything that's going on in our country," said McCarthy, whose family lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin. "I've spent the evening, last night, listening and watching, everything that's going on in the NBA, the WNBA, the MLB and across our league. These are unprecedented times in our country. ...

"Spent a lot of time on the phone the last couple of evenings. It's definitely concerning. Having friends and family back there [in Wisconsin]. These times are unprecedented. Things need to change. I grew up in a home of public safety, but I mean, I just don't understand why it keeps happening and I think I'm like everyone else. I don't have the answers, but things need to change."

The New Orleans Saintspracticed Thursday. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins took to social media Wednesday night, posting a picture of a quote from Muhammad Ali next to his helmet, which had a strip reading "Jacob Blake" across the front.

All Saints players had Blake's name taped across their helmets during Thursday's practice.

"It's just something we decided to do last night to honor him," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "It was something we felt would be appropriate, and I think they were for it.

"I think part of coaching is teaching them they have a voice -- a very powerful one -- and certainly understanding that and respecting everyone's voice. So collectively as a team, a lot of things can be done to encourage change and be a part of change. So that's part of the teaching element of what we do as coaches. It never changes regardless of the level, whether it's Pop Warner, high school, college or the NFL. It's more than just football."

Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury described the mood as "somber" during a team meeting Thursday morning.

"Football takes a back burner, and we felt like this was one of those moments as an organization, [we] wanted our players to know that we support them," Kingsbury said. "Want them to have a day to be with their families, reflect on things, be around friends, be around each other, and then use the day to help make that change they want to see -- whether it's on social media, using the platform they have, or if it's going to register to vote or trying to get other people set up to register to vote. We just wanted them to know this is their day."

Instead of practicing, the Colts said they would use Thursday "to discuss and work toward making a lasting social impact and inspiring change in our communities."

Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow took to Twitter prior to the team's practice Thursday to speak out about racial inequality.

"How can you hear the pain Black people are going through and dismiss it as nothing," Burrow said. "How can you hear the pain and respond with anything other than 'I stand with you.'"

The Cleveland Browns met as a team prior to Thursday's practice, which was shortened to an hour to accommodate more discussions afterward. Defensive end Myles Garrett said players wanted to brainstorm on ideas to "really move the needle" for social change.

"It's different this time," Garrett said. "A lot of people are feeling this way -- all colors, all walks of life."

Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia said he and his staff check every day to see how players are feeling when it comes to practicing or not or discussion points that they potentially want to pursue.

"If there's any chance that maybe we got everybody to stop and think for a minute, that's really great," Patricia said of the being the first professional team to protest Tuesday by canceling practice. "And I think we have a simple saying, which is just listen. And right now, that's just what we want everyone to do, is listen. We understand that this is not a sprint. It's not a race. It's a marathon, and it's something that we just have to do a good job of continuing this conversation."

After Thursday's scrimmage was called off, the Chargers posted a quote from Blake's sister on the video board: "I'm not sad. I don't want your pity. I want change."

The Baltimore Ravens decided to practice but announced that they will "come together for a meeting to discuss and work on a plan for continued social justice reform efforts" after practice.

The Ravens later released a statement Thursday calling for the arrest of the officers responsible for Breonna Taylor's killing in Louisville and the shooting of Blake.

"Everyone has the choice to choose to what level and what degree they want to use their platform,"Pittsburgh Steelersquarterback Ben Roethlisberger said after the team's practice. "I think the biggest thing right now is to ... listen to my African American teammates and friends that aren't even in football just to get a better understanding to educate myself."

Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said he would talk with players, including the team's social justice committee, after Thursday's practice.

"We've always acted collectively as a group and as a team," Quinn said. He said he will support players "whether it's action items or a chance to vent as a team."

Jaguarscoach Doug Marrone said players and coaches met for over two hours Thursday morning before deciding to practice as scheduled.

Washington made its decision to cancel practice Wednesday night after coach Ron Rivera talked to new team president Jason Wright, a former NFL player and the first African American team president in the NFL.

Rivera was asked Thursday about the NBA's decision to postpone Wednesday's three playoff games. The NBA also postponed the three games scheduled for Thursday.

"Well, it just tells you it's serious. We have a platform now. I was one of those guys back in the day when you didn't use your sports platform for that. But today, in today's world, because so many people admittedly look up to the professional athletes, to the sporting community, to help social direction. Now these guys know they have a platform. So for them to do something that powerful, to basically strike right in the middle of a playoff, says a lot. It just tells everybody that this is truly important," he said.

Reporters from ESPN's NFL Nation and The Associated Press contributed to this report.