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Following the disturbing videos recently released publicly showing in great detail the killings of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota by uniformed officers, many are deservedly shocked and angered.
Among those to react on social media Thursday was former Missouri Tiger defensive end and 2014 SEC Defensive Player of the Year Shane Ray. Now with the Denver Broncos, Ray discussed his past experiences with the police officers growing up in an impoverished area of Kansas City and his mother’s concern for his general welfare from the police while growing up.
Another man killed. License to carry a firearm, not resisting arrest but still shot in front of his daughter. Yea I'm pissed
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
Nobody ever said all cops are bad. But dam can you stop making excuses for the ones who are. Those are the ones that have the culture shook.
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
The ones that are behind the logic of what we are taught growing up. I used to not be able to go out with friends because my mom thought….
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
That if a cop saw 4 black males in a car with hats on we would be stopped. Yet I've still dealt with profiling. Multiple times.
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
I remember being in my hood in Kc visiting family and 3 squad cars pulled up on me because I was in a camaro! What was the probable cause
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
Guess that was them doing heir job. I was detained and questioned while sitting in my car not even moving. So yes naturally we feel some
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
Type away about police. It hurts to see these kinds of losses. They say have a voice yet it's constantly ignored.
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
Ray went on to show another instance of his interaction with the police, this time he was pulled over with his mother in the car:
Me and my mom were visiting her friend in Kansas. We're pulled over because her license plate wasn't visible. We were approached
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
By two officers the officer that came to my side had his hand on his firearm. I was told to put my phone down. The other officer was rude
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
To my mother especially when she asked why the officer had his hand on his firearm with the flashlight in my face.
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
Was I intimidating to the officer idk but this another situation of following how not to get abused my police 101. I kept my head down and
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
Said nothing.
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) July 7, 2016
Ray went on to interact with several people on this Twitter timeline, many of which asked valid questions and Ray returning with well-thought responses.
While these issues are very real and troubling, it’s important to ask tough questions and keep an open dialogue moving forward. Credit Ray for voices his frustrations and keeping his thoughts on the matter civil while clearly disturbed with both his past experiences and recent events.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
