Former NBA star Stephen Jackson mourns ‘brother’ George Floyd killed by Minneapolis police
Former NBA star Stephen Jackson mourns ‘brother’ George Floyd killed by Minneapolis policeThe baller turned podcaster shared memories of his friend who was killed in the latest example of police brutality.
George Floyd and Stephen Jackson (Credit: Benjamin Crump and Stephen Jackson)
In his career former basketball star and NBA champion Stephen Jackson was probably best known for participating in the ‘Malice in the Palace’ — the infamous 2004 NBA brawl between the Indiana Pacers, his team at the time and the Detroit Pistons. Today, Jackson is trending for a different reason as his “brother” George Floyd has become the latest victim of police brutality.
George Floyd and Stephen Jackson (Credit: Benjamin Crump and Stephen Jackson)
In his career former basketball star and NBA champion Stephen Jackson was probably best known for participating in the ‘Malice in the Palace’ — the infamous 2004 NBA brawl between the Indiana Pacers, his team at the time and the Detroit Pistons. Today, Jackson is trending for a different reason as his “brother” George Floyd has become the latest victim of police brutality.
George Floyd (Credit: Benjamin Crump)
However, several witnesses, including the one who recorded the interaction, noted that while he was handcuffed and on the ground with one of the officer’s knees on his neck, Floyd, whose nose was also bleeding, said that he couldn’t breathe and asked for help.
Though the four police officers who responded to the scene did request medical assistance it was too late and Floyd died. The officers were fired today by Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo.
“What we saw was horrible, completely and utterly messed up,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said. “This man’s life matters, he matters. He was someone’s son, someone’s family member, someone’s friend. He was a human being and his life mattered.”
Jackson, a Port Arthur, Texas native posted an emotional tribute to his Instagram page today.
“This what I gotta wake up to huh? This is what I got to wake up to? Floyd was my brother. We called each other twins,” Jackson said.
“Everybody know we called each other twins. My brother was only out there in Minnesota, he was changing his life, he was driving trucks. I had just sent him two or three boxes of clothes. My boy was doing what he was supposed to do and ya’ll killed my brother. I’m on my way to Minnesota -whatever I can do. We can’t let this ride. Y’all not going to be mad until it hit y’all front door. It’s bull**t.”
In recent years, he’s been the co-host to former NBA retiree Matt Barnes on their ever-popular All The Smoke podcast and kicked up some internet debate after telling the story of leaving his fiancee, one-time Basketball Wives cast member Imani Showalter, at the altar. But this tragedy has struck a very raw nerve for him.
Jackson posted photos of Floyd which made it clear why they called each other twins as they bear a considerable resemblance to each other.