Colts GM Chris Ballard's Statement About Black Lives Matter is the Realest of Real Talk

It's truly disheartening how absent-minded some folks have been amid the ongoing civil unrest and nationwide protests in response to the killing of George Floyd.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard is not one of those people. The 50-year-old exec released a powerful statement on racial discrimination in America and how the "Black Lives Matter" movement should be echoed and supported now more than ever.

Admirably, Ballard acknowledged his own ignorance while calling out white America for failing to step up to administer change.

It's evident that Ballard dwelled on his previous lack of urgency to speak about against racial oppression in the country before he released this impassioned self-evaluation. Public figures with a similarly large platform should heed his words.

Ballard's moving statement comes on the heels of Colts head coach Frank Reich opening a Zoom call with reporters with a monologue that touched on racial injustice and systemic racism.

The entire Colts organization is clearly on the same page in terms of speaking out against Floyd's death and police brutality. As Ballard and Reich articulate in their statements, it's way past due that that those who benefit from white privilege come around to the fact that black lives face unique threats.