On Monday, the Green Bay Packers had lengthy discussions as a team about the recent shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha. The team’s leadership council continues to be a source of strength and, well, leadership for this team, and they took extra time after practice to address the situation and the racial issues that are manifest as a result of it.
Following that meeting, the team issued a formal statement on the shooting. Here is that statement in full:
The Packers organization was shocked to see the video that showed police shooting Jacob Blake multiple times in the back. We are hopeful Jacob makes a full recovery, and our thoughts are with his family.
While we understand a full investigation of this terrible incident will take place, we are deeply troubled at what again has become a painful example of the significant challenges we face with respect to police brutality, systemic racism and injustices against Black people. We continue to call for meaningful dialogue to affect the needed change we all desire.
In the rest of today’s curds, we look at how that leadership group is functioning, the recent experience of one of the team’s veterans who was surprised to test positive for COVID, and more.
QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers’ leadership council get together to discuss Kenosha shooting | Packers.com
We discussed this in our coverage of Matt LaFleur's and Rodgers' comments after practice on Monday, but the leadership council at the core of this team is worth mentioning once again.
Green Bay Packers: Mason Crosby feeling 'strong' after COVID-19 bout | Packersnews.com
Crosby tested positive for COVID-19 in his second test of camp, shocking him and his family. After dealing with only "very mild" symptoms and going through a ten-day quarantine period, he's back and healthy and feels ready to go - a great sign for him but also for his wife, who battled through lung cancer a year ago.
Packers G Lane Taylor is undefeated in pass-blocking drill at camp | Packers Wire
Taylor has gone 8-0 in one-on-ones so far, and he was already pushing for a starting spot before Rick Wagner's injury a few days ago. It's too early to anoint him the starting right guard just yet, but he's doing everything he needs to in order to earn that spot.
On another mostly expected note, the Vikings announced that there will be no fans in attendance for the season opener against the Packers on September 13:
The first two #Vikings home games on September 13 and September 27 will be closed to the public.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 25, 2020
We will continue to work with the appropriate officials on our plans with the hope of bringing fans back in a safe manner later this season.
: https://t.co/qKbCvG2Fbh pic.twitter.com/0JkhvsVdJR
B-52s arrive in Britain for NATO exercises - UPI.com
There's no word yet on whether they will perform "Love Shack" as their encore -- personally I'm hoping for "Rock Lobster."