TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) — Marches for black lives have been continuing the last few weeks, with the latest one in the Big Bend being a unity march. It was put on, Saturday afternoon, by the Florida State football program.
Powerful voices from the black community can be heard throughout the country and on Saturday, some of those voices came from the FSU football team.
Cory Durden, a defensive tackle for the Seminoles said, "I learned that I actually do have a voice. I didn't know that I had a voice but just seeing how many people showed up and supported us. It's amazing."
Durden took the idea of hosting a unity walk to head coach Mike Norvell. The team jumped on the idea to impose positive change and hopes the community around them sees them for who they are.
"Every other day of the week, other than Saturday, we're doing normal people stuff," said Durden. "So, I want people to look at us as regular human beings."
Offensive lineman Jalen Goss added, "I hope that the message that comes out, is that we all stand as one. We're not just regular athletes, that we're coming together to do something about it and show that we care."
Not only is the unity walk forcing change, but it is also a way for players to bond and learn from each other.
Marvin Wilson, a senior defensive tackle explained, "It helps us build love for each other even more than just being out there, working out together, and stuff like that. Being able to take different political stances and social justice, different things like that, I think we're growing more as people."
Goss added, "We're behind our leaders, our leaders wanted to do it so we came behind them. We all stand as one."
Not only were Florida state players, coaches, and fans out Saturday, but also members of Tallahassee Community College and Florida A&M. Those who took part in the unity walk started at the Unconquered Statue on Florida State's campus and ended at the capitol building.
