NFL legend Brett Favre received heavy backlash after he admitted he finds it "hard to believe" that former Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officer Derek Chauvin intentionally killed George Floyd.
A jury on Tuesday pronounced Chauvin guilty on all three charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The former police officer is awaiting sentencing.
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What are the details?
On Wednesday, the former football player said that Chauvin's use of force was undoubtedly excessive, but that he does not believe the former officer intended to kill Floyd.
"I find it hard to believe — and I'm not defending Derek Chauvin in any way — I find it hard to believe, first of all, that he intentionally meant to kill George Floyd," he said during Wednesday's "Bolling with Favre" podcast. "That being said, his actions were uncalled for. I don't care what color the person is on the street. I don't know what led to that video that we saw where his knee is on his neck, but the man had thrown in the towel."
Elsewhere during the podcast, Favre pushed back on any backlash he'd receive as a result of the remarks.
"I just gave my opinion," he said. "I'm certainly not a racist in spite of what some people might think, and, you know, I'm for unity and I just feel like there's a better way to unify our country. That being said, there's a lot of things that need to stop."
What was the response?
Daily Best writer Wajahat Ali tweeted, "Brett Favre was the same dude who said he wants to keep politics out of sports ... except when it comes to defending a white cop who murdered an unarmed black man."
Brett Favre was the same dude who said he wants to keep politics out of sports...except when it comes to defending a white cop who murdered an unarmed Black man.
— Wajahat "Fasting" Ali (@WajahatAli) April 21, 2021
Former wide receiver Torrey Smith added, "I'm 1000% comfortable saying if it isn't about playing quarterback...Don't ask @BrettFavre."
On Instagram, Carolina Panthers legend Steve Smith added, "I have so much respect for the career you had. HOF, awards, etc.... However on this subject, yo Mr. Favre STFU respectfully real talk! Privilege ass!"
Anything else?
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In a Tuesday statement, the NFL expressed its solidarity with the jury's decision.
"Today's outcome in the Derek Chauvin trial in Minneapolis does not undo the loss of life," the football organization's statement read. "Mr. George Floyd should be here with us today. Our hearts remain with the Floyd Family, and we understand the pain, anger and frustration does not go away even when justice is delivered."
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