Montreal Impact head coach Thierry Henry took a knee for eight minutes and 46 seconds of Thursday's game against the New England Revolution on Thursday to to honor the life of George Floyd. Henry did so while wearing a "Black Lives Matter" shirt.
Thierry Henry took a knee for the first 8 minutes and 46 seconds of tonight’s game in memory of George Floyd. pic.twitter.com/3n025jVeL5
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 10, 2020
Floyd was killed by Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin in May after the cop kneeled on the back of Floyd's neck for what was initially reported as eight minutes and 46 seconds in May. Prosecutors have revised the official length of time to 7 minutes and 46 seconds, according to CBS News. Chauvin's actions were caught on video and have sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
"I sat down for 8 mins and 46 seconds, I guess you guys know why," Henry told ESPN. "It was just to pay tribute and show support to the cause. That was basically it. [It's] pretty simple."
The former French national team star said on Wednesday, one day before his demonstration, that he appreciates that fact that "for the first time other ethnicities are involved" in standing up against racism.
"I always say back in the day, when stuff like that was happening, that I get insulted on the field for the colour of my skin... I would like other ethnicities in my team to walk out before I walk out, then that would be pretty powerful," he told ESPN. "Because at the end of the game, I don't want the journalist to ask the question to the Black guy. Ask the question to everybody and see if they feel our pain. That will have an impact."
The "Black Lives Matter" movement has been embrace by the MLS in its MLS is Back tournament. It began with players performing a silent demonstration prior to Wednesday's game between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF. Players kneeled around midfield and others raised their fists in the air in a show of solidarity for the "Black Lives Matter" movement. In addition, players wore "Black Lives Matter" face masks and shirts that read "Silence is Violence." That demonstration lasted for more than five minutes before play got underway.
In addition, Philadelphia Union players paid tribute to Black victims of police brutality. When the Union took the field against New York City FC on Thursday, each player from Philly had a victim's name on the back of their jerseys in place of their own. Floyd, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and Breonna Taylor were some of the many names that were included in the tribute.
