'This is bigger than sports': UC football releases statement against racial injustice

CINCINNATI — The UC Bearcats football team released a statement Friday in solidarity with other sports teams and leagues protesting racial injustice.

In a statement posted to social media Friday, players said they "stand firm on the pillars of UC’s mission to enrich our university, city, state and global community."

"A melting pot of educated and engaged citizens, we cannot sit idly by as the direct plight and injustices of the Black community are routinely streamed, posted and publicized," the statement read. "Our hearts are heavy as we continue to process the most recent tragedies of Jacob Blake, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and countless others."

Players also posted support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

"As student-athletes at the university, we stand in solidarity in the fight for racial equality and social justice," the statement continued. "We will continue to use our voices as advocates for positive change. This is bigger than us. This is bigger than sports.”