Adia Barnes and Kevin Sumlin make statements amid chaos

With the current cultural climate escalating these past few days, head coaches Adia Barnes and Kevin Sumlin issue statements amid the chaos.

It’s been a wild and rather challenging past few days for many, as thousands deal with the events going on in the United States in response to the unjust killing of George Floyd. Even amid the chaos, both Adia Barnes and Kevin Sumlin took to social media to issue statements.

Look, I’m not going to ignore the fact that these are certainly challenging and trying times for a lot of people, and try to approach this with the utmost sensitivity regarding the matters, but nonetheless, the events unfolding before our eyes is impacting everyone to some degree or another.

Arizona Wildcats

As we’ve seen over the past couple days, it’s the ripple of the events in Minneapolis, which have even extended to Tucson as well.

And with the local, Tucson community being so entrenched with what happens at the University of Arizona, and our coaches being very visible figures to the community, coach Barnes and coach Sumlin have issued statements regarding the events that have unfolded over the past few days.

For coach Sumlin, this is certainly an issue that hits home, as he is not only the first African American head football coach at Arizona, but he has also seen some very ugly stuff dating back to his days while coaching at Texas A&M.

Coach Sumlin took to Twitter to issue his statement during this challenging and trying time.

"It has been nearly 137 hours since George Floyd had his life snuffed out in a matter of nine minutes at the hands of an officer of the law on a street in Minneapolis.137 hours of me trying to process what I witnessed on video yet again and wondering how many others have suffered without it being caught on a cellphone.137 hours of my players and coaches and friends calling me, texting me, seeking answers for a problem that is so much bigger than just one man, one death.137 hours of calming my young black sons, of alleviating their worst fears of trying to explain—again—why this keeps happening in our country.137 hours of many Americans thinking, not again.137 hours of many Americans thinking, not again.137 hours of Black Americans wonder when it will all end.137 hours of protests, looting, calls for peace, calls for unity.In the time that has passed since George Floyd’s death, my emotions have run from immense anger to frustration; Horror to resolve; Sadness to hope.I wear many hats each day: father, brother, son, coach, friend, boss, colleague. But yet no matter what hat I put on, the color of my skin does not change. Being a college head football coach, blessed to earn more than I ever could have imagined, does not make me immune to the same suspicious stares, to the same fears of being pulled over, to the same assumptions that others make of me, to the same racist remarks sent in my direction, simply because I am black.I was born in 1964 in the heart of the Civil Rights Movement and grew up with a generation that should have done more to correct the wrongs in America. But maybe we have failed. George Floyd’s death is the latest of hundreds—thousands?—of unnecessary and tragic deaths of black men and women during my lifetime that never should have happened. But we didn’t push hard enough for change.When I look at my football team, a true melting pot of diversity, I am buoyed by their thoughtfulness, their desire to do better and their willingness to demand change. Perhaps this generation will be the ones to fundamentally ensure social justice in America.So, for now, what I will focus on is what I can control: my own resolve to be a part of the solution. In gestures big and small, each and every day, I must do my part to foster a better understanding among all of us. And if each of us takes on a similar responsibility maybe we won’t have to ever think, not again."

As for Barnes, she made heartfelt comments as well.

"Over the last few days I have been overcome by so many emotions. My hear hurts. I am so sad that this is what we are facing in 2020 in America. I have had conversations with my family, close friends, current and former players, and I feel all of their anger, pain and frustration.Now is the time for CHANGE! Enough is enough, and we are all tired of the same injustice in America. We have been dealing with systematic racism for too long, and people are dying at the hands of those that are supposed to protect and serve. Justice has been denied for far too long.I am appalled and heartbroken at the videos that I am seeing all over the internet. It’s really sickening. I pray for all of the families that have lost loved ones.I will always stand with our student-athletes and support them during these challenging times in the world. In this program we will be the CHANGE! We will stand up for what is right, we will listen with open hears, and support one another wherever they are.It is my duty to unite, empower and educate women to have an effective voice to inspire change. This is much bigger than basketball, and we must all be a part of the change.Adia Barnes"

Regardless of what you’re feeling now, we certainly can’t deny we couldn’t use a bit more togetherness. Hopefully everyone will continue to remain safe and healthy and we can all Bear Down together!