Vikings RB Alexander Mattison Describes Emotional Experience as Group of Players Attend George Floyd Funeral
By Michael Luciano
No NFL team has been more touched by the senseless killing of George Floyd more than the Minnesota Vikings considering it all happened just a few blocks away from their home stadium.
Several Vikings players, including running back Alexander Mattison, chose to attend Floyd's memorial service. The service cut Mattison deeply, and he spoke to the team's official website about what was going through his mind during it all.
A group of Vikings players attended George Floyd's memorial service, and the experience had an impact on RB Alexander Mattison https://t.co/R52xMWiPh7
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 5, 2020
“That was definitely one powerful atmosphere,” Mattison said. “It was like no other that I’ve felt in my life, the power that I felt in that room. His family was able to give their testimony for how great of a man he was, and it’s sad to see how a life was taken."
Mattison, a third-round pick out of Boise State who ran for 462 yards and scored once as a rookie, is taking his role as an activist seriously, realizing that sitting on the sidelines and posting black squares on Instagram is no substitute for getting boots on the ground and doing something tangible to honor Floyd.
I am a young BLACK MAN.. in a country where many see me as a THREAT... others, an INSPIRATION..
— Alexander Mattison (@AlexMattison22) June 3, 2020
Which do you see???? pic.twitter.com/6TDg9fLgCZ
Mattison is one of a legion of NFL players who look poised to take a more hands-on role in charity work and community outreach. There's no better way to honor Floyd and his memory than by donating your time and fighting for causes that fight against injustice.