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The 49ers’ fourth annual State-of-the-Franchise address opened virtually Monday night exclusively for season-ticket holders. The first topic: Black Lives Matter.
Team CEO Jed York spoke how the 49ers gained awareness on racial inequality during the 2016 season when, with their endorsement, Colin Kaepernick launched his protests during the national anthem.
Nowadays, a Black Lives Matter flag is being flown atop Levi’s Stadium next to those representing California and United States. The 49ers not only pledged $1 million to social initiatives this offseason but also in 2016, when they matched Kaepernick’s $1 million vow from his own contract.
Here is York’s extensive opening statement on the Black Lives Matter movement that has come a long way from the 49ers sideline to protests both nationally and globally:
“First and foremost, you’re saddened and outraged when you see events take place, especially when they’re specifically violent events that are targeted at African-Americans. We’re focused on taking actions.
“When Colin started a protest movement in 2016, what we had talked about in talking to Dr. Harry Edwards, his message which we’ve adopted was to take protests to progress.
“We’re working with communities to make a difference. We’re allowing our employees and players to let their voices be heard.
“We’re in a little bit different place. We’ve had these conversations take place in a structured place since 2016 and we want to make sure they continue.
“We have to make sure we do everything we can that they have a voice, whether that’s making sure they can get out to vote (and that’s the best way to make your voice heard in this country), or if we can work with groups like the Players Coalition and others that can help change laws and tactics, that we might not be experts in.
“We want to work with people that are experts, so that we can make real, serious change in this country.
“The thing we do know better than the political aspect of things that need to be changed, we certainly understand education. We understand giving people equal opportunities. That’s where we’ve done work for decades and will continue to do work
“We want to make sure we empower everybody in our organization and out to make the most of their lives and to have what I believe is equality for all and justice for all.”
York’s remarks were followed by those of team president Al Guido, who championed the 49ers’ diverse hiring practices throughout their history, including Bill Walsh’s instrumental mentorship of minority coaches in the 1980s.
Guido also mentioned that general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan have reached out to the 49ers’ Black employees. “Look, the stories are terrible and powerful. You’re in tears on these calls,” Guido said. “All it really tells you is we need to do more.”
