UNC basketball, football players sign open letter denouncing Silent Sam

Roy Williams backs UNC athletes denouncing Silent Sam

Numerous University of North Carolina athletes have taken a stand for social justice, coming together to sign an open letter denouncing the school’s plans for the Confederate statue commonly referred to as Silent Sam.

Among those protesting the university’s $5.3 million plan — which includes the relocation and preservation of the monument, among other things — are both current and former members of the basketball and football programs.

As of Friday afternoon, Garrison Brooks, Sterling Manley, Brandon Robinson and K.J. Smith — all current members of the UNC basketball team — had all signed the letter. Inside Carolina reported earlier in the day that former North Carolina basketball players Bobby Frasor, Brice Johnson, Tommy LaGarde and Kendall Marshall had each added their signatures, too.

A number of current and former Tar Heel football players have also shown their support, and those names include Williams Barnes, Michael Carter, Aaron Crawford, Elijah Hood, Jason Strowbridge, Landon Turner and Anthony Ratliff-Williams.

Moreover, UNC men’s basketball head coach Roy Williams backed his players’ decision to stand against the issue, and said this to The News and Observer Friday afternoon:

"“I talked to our guys about it and told them if they feel strongly about it, go right ahead,” Williams said. “I think it’s their individual rights, and I think they should if they feel strongly about it.”"

Shortly after, the UNC Board of Governors rejected the university’s plan to erect a new building on campus for the Confederate statue. A committee has now been formed to devise a new recommendation by March 15th.

The three-time national champion and 2006 Hall-of-Fame inductee stated that he had read the speech that was given in 1913 when the statue was first erected, and it only strengthened his opinion on the matter.

"“In my own personal belief, I think that it would be best for it to not be here,” Williams said. “And I think some of those people in the decision-making business would rather it not be here, but the only people that can change that are the ones who can make the laws, and I haven’t spoken to those people about it.”"

Williams, like his mentor Dean Smith, has long been an advocate for social justice and equal rights, frequently supporting his players in matters such as this. The 68-year-old Williams has been employed by the university since 2003, and was an assistant coach under Smith from 1978 to 1988. The Asheville, North Carolina native also graduated from the school in 1972.

As of Friday afternoon, nearly 250 student athletes had signed the letter, as well as multiple alumni and faculty groups on campus.