New York Yankees’ legend Derek Jeter: “Racial hatred should be responded to with severe punishment”

American sports icons and stars have reacted to the death of George Floyd in the last few days. Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees‘ last captain and Hall of Famer, recently released a statement through the Miami Marlins Twitter account (a team of which he is currently the CEO.)

“I am deeply saddened by the death of George Floyd and feel the pain and outrage it has caused his family and people throughout the world,” Jeter said, per the New York Post. “This is a narrative that has happened far too often with us as people of color. It is time for racial hatred to end and to be unquestionably recognized and responded to with severe punishment.”

Police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd, an African American, specifically into his neck, for several minutes. Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and was fired with the other three officers that were in the scene.

There have been protests in several cities around America, and while some have been peaceful, others have escalated and have resulted in violence.

The Yankees’ icon wants no more excuses

“It’s encouraging to see people of all colors around the world speaking out and protesting another human tragedy that has too often been the death of a black person,” the Yankees’ legend said. “No one should be excused from acts of racial hatred. Please do not allow anyone to demonize those who are standing up against these acts.”

Jeter himself is the son of a black man and a white mother.

“I hope that my children and nephews don’t have to live in a society where people are unjustly treated because of the color of their skin,” he said. “I hope that their white friends grow up to recognize that it is not only enough to verbalize their non-racist views, but also to participate at an active level to eradicate racism.”

While he played for the New York Yankees and shortly after his retirement, Jeter was not known for being outspoken on social issues. However, he chose to stand up and speak this time around.

“I hope we can all denounce the insidious signs of racial hatred,” Jeter said, “and take action as human beings.”