Terrell Owens: 'It's scary to be a Black man in America' in wake of police shooting
"As Black men, bro, we're getting killed at an alarming rate now," Owens said
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens said Friday it’s “scary to be a Black man in America."
Owens gave this thoughts about the spate of police shootings sparking outrage across the nation in an interview with TMZ Sports.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“As Black men, bro, we're getting killed at an alarming rate now,” the former NFL wide receiver said. “This is why we as Black men, Black people, we're scared. Honestly, I really didn't think about it until like just driving around today, like honestly, it's scary to be a Black man in America, especially if you come in any type of encounter with law enforcement.”
He said he doesn’t feel comfortable being around police.
“There been times where, obviously, I knew my status or what have you can get me out of a situation,” he said. “But I'm sure if I get pulled over, I'm sure my heart will probably be beating 90 miles an hour. Especially considering everything that has transpired since the George Floyd murder.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Owens said law enforcement officers need to do better.
“Our law enforcement, they're failing us right before our very own eyes, bro. It's a scary time to be a black person in America. There's no doubt about it.”
In the latest incident, Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot seven times in the back by officers Sunday in Kenosha, Wisc., sparking riots in the city and outrage nationwide.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced Wednesday that Blake had a knife on the floorboard of his car when he was shot by police. A knife was recovered from the driver's side of the SUV, the agency said. It did not say whether Blake was holding the knife when he was shot.
According to a Wisconsin DOJ news release, officers responded to a domestic dispute after a woman reported her boyfriend was unlawfully on the premises. Officers attempted to arrest Blake and a Taser was used, but it did not subdue him.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Officers were not equipped with body cameras, despite city leaders unanimously approving a plan in 2017 to purchase the devices in an effort to increase transparency and police accountability.
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Lawyers for Blake's family said Tuesday that he is partially paralyzed from the shooting.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.