NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens says he’s “scared” to be a black man in the United States because black men are being killed by police “at an alarming rate.”
“As black men, bro, we’re getting killed at an alarming rate now,” Owens told TMZ. “This is why we as black men, black people, we’re scared. And honestly, man, I really didn’t really think about it until like just driving around today. Like honestly, it’s scary to be a black man in America, especially if you come in any type of encounter with law enforcement.”
Owens went on to acknowledge that his celebrity status has helped him in certain interactions with police. However, he added that if he is pulled over in the future, his heart will be “beating 90 miles an hour” because of the murder of George Floyd.
“Our law enforcement, they are failing us right before our very own eyes,” Owens continued. “This is a scary time to be a black person in America. There’s no doubt about it.”
In June, Owens led a protest in Los Angeles in response to the death of George Floyd and called on the NFL to apologize to former quarterback Colin Kaepernick over his decision to kneel during the national anthem in 2017.
“We wouldn’t be here right now if Colin didn’t do what he did,” Owens said. “It’s all come full circle. I’m standing in the gap right now for my brother, and they owe this man an apology.”
Peaceful protests, looting, and violent riots have erupted across the country following the deaths of several black men during interactions with police. Calls to defund and disband police departments have also become prevalent from liberal politicians and pundits.
Data from the Washington Post shows that police fatally shot nine unarmed black people and 19 unarmed white people in 2019, which is down from 38 and 32, respectively, in 2015.
