Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saint Football Player And Clear Thinker Reacts To Ferguson

THE ISSUES

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This Professional Football Star Has Written What May Be the Most Insightful Piece You’ve Seen on Ferguson

When the news was announced that the St. Louis area Grand Jury declined to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson wrote a lengthy, thoughtful post on his Facebook page. He expressed his anger, his sadness, his embarrassment, his sympathy and his ultimate encouragement.

The football player is writing from his experience as a black man, so many of us cannot fully identify. But the emotions he expresses are common human responses, and we can all empathize with those. He also delivered a powerful message about the real issue that underlies all our problems: “…Ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn.”

Watson’s followers on Facebook responded with their own heartfelt messages:

I’m in awe. This hits every emotion from both sides! Thanks for sharing and I hope it is heartfelt by all who reads it.

Faith, Hope, and Love …. and the greatest of these is Love! – 1 Corinthians 13:13

I never comment on or share these types of viral posts cause most the time they annoy me, but this is by far one of the most exceptional things I’ve ever read. I’m a die hard Cowboys fan, but I just became a die hard Benjamin Watson fan.

I don’t know how you ended up on my newsfeed…but I am so grateful to have read your well written post. This is how you make a statement people will actually reflect on- without the hatred & racism. Thank you for your honest words.

One thing is certain: It’s refreshing to see a public figure provide a solution to Ferguson, instead of adding fuel to the fire.

It is unlikely Benjamin Watson ever expected the tremendous response his note has garnered. The post has over 800,000 “likes” and it has been “shared” almost half a million times.

One of the people who reacted to the news was Benjamin Watson, a football player with the New Orleans Saints.

Watson decided to post his feelings on Facebook and that post has gone viral, with almost 700,000 likes and nearly 400,00 shares.