LeBron James, sports figures react to Derek Chauvin guilty verdict

The sports world is speaking out. On Tuesday, after Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering of George Floyd. The now-former Minnesapolis police officer was filmed in May with his knee on the neck

The sports world is speaking out.

On Tuesday, after Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering of George Floyd. The now-former Minnesapolis police officer was filmed in May with his knee on the neck of Floyd for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. He was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Sports leagues and figures shared their statements and messages on social media shortly after the verdict was made public.

“ACCOUNTABILITY,” LeBron James tweeted.

“Justice and Accountability!,” Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns shared. “Things I never thought I would see. There’s much more work to do, but this is an amazing start working toward the reform this country NEEDS!”

Outside the NBA community, numerous athletes echoed similar sentiments.

“Justice served on all counts,” NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace wrote. “Good. Still a ton of work to do. Continue to rest peacefully #GeorgeFloyd”

“Let’s make this the new normal,” former WNBA player, broadcaster, and Atlanta Dream co-owner Renee Montgomery tweeted. “Accountability is served #GeorgeFloyd.”

Tennis star Naomi Osaka was less revelatory over the highly anticipated verdict.

“I was going to make a celebratory tweet but then I was hit with sadness because we are celebrating something that is clear as day,” she wrote. “The fact that so many injustices occurred to make us hold our breath toward this outcome is really telling.”

ACCOUNTABILITY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 20, 2021

Justice and Accountability! Things I never thought I would see. There’s much more work to do, but this is an amazing start working toward the reform this country NEEDS!
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) April 20, 2021

pic.twitter.com/kzpcKfa6fk
— NFL (@NFL) April 20, 2021

Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai stand with George Floyd’s family, and our organization remains committed to working to end systemic racism and injustice. https://t.co/rYeXJ7DpR9 pic.twitter.com/IRFxMTE1xI
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 20, 2021

Justice served on all counts. Good.
Still a ton of work to do.

Continue to rest peacefully #GeorgeFloyd ✊🏾🙏🏾
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) April 20, 2021

MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark issued the following statement pic.twitter.com/3xmGIM1qem
— MLB Players (@MLB_PLAYERS) April 20, 2021

I was going to make a celebratory tweet but then I was hit with sadness because we are celebrating something that is clear as day. The fact that so many injustices occurred to make us hold our breath toward this outcome is really telling.
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) April 20, 2021

🙏🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 20, 2021

Let’s make this the new normal. Accountability is served #GeorgeFloyd
— Renee Montgomery (@ReneeMontgomery) April 20, 2021

National Hockey League Statement following today’s verdict in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/cj15NrR6yo
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 20, 2021