LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Raiders are receiving some heat on Twitter for a graphic shared by the team's official account following the Derek Chauvin trial.
The tweet is a simple black graphic with the words "I CAN BREATHE" and the date 4-20-21.
The slogan "I can't breathe" has been used as part of a larger movement calling for more police accountability. They were the last words of Eric Garner, an unarmed Black man killed in 2014 during an incident with police in New York.
They were also the last words of George Floyd who died in May 2020.
On Tuesday, former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death.
Raiders began trending on Twitter Tuesday shortly after the tweet was sent out, with many users calling the tweet tone-deaf.
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Below are just a few responses.
Take this down.
— Black Girl Hockey Club (@BlackGirlHockey) April 21, 2021
This was your moment and just like y'all do in football ya blew it!!! Damn man who runs this account
— PHIL HEATH (@PHILHEATH) April 21, 2021
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) April 21, 2021
Tashan Reed with The Athletic was able to get in touch with Raiders' owner Mark Davis, who took responsibility for the tweet.
#Raiders owner Mark Davis said the "I Can Breathe" wording came from George Floyd's brother Philonise, who said "Today, we are able to breathe again."
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) April 21, 2021
Davis added: "If I offended the family, then I'm deeply, deeply disappointed."
He also said the post won't be deleted.
13 Action News has reached out to the Raiders for an explanation of their tweet. At this time, they have not responded to channel 13.
