Chargers special teams coordinator George Stewart shared the wise words “you gotta lose something to get something” during the team’s emotional conversation last week at SoFi Stadium regarding social justice and police brutality.
For episode four of “Hard Knocks: Los Angeles,” the cameras revealed the backstory of how the Chargers decided to cancel their scrimmage and used their NFL Network platform to raise awareness and how to create change.
“We are football players, we’re not politicians, but it’s up to us to speak our damn platforms,” Stewart told his players in the locker room.
Stewart reminded his players he’s 62 and how much racism and police brutality he’s seen since he was a 6-year-old boy growing up in Arkansas.
“I’m tired of it,” he said. “I know what it’s like to be oppressed … What can we do?”
The NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks initially forfeited their postseason game last week to demand justice for Jacob Blake, who was shot and paralyzed by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
That led to a domino effect of sporting events being postponed for a few days. The Bucks gave up something to regain the nation’s attention on many social issues like systemic racism.
But coaches were compelled to postpone games and practices because it seemed like the right thing to do instead of understanding why or how to build on the Bucks’ actions.
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn is about actions. Initially, he wasn’t going to cancel the scrimmage without a plan on how to create change. He thought handling business on the practice field and then speaking to reporters after about social justice was the best way to raise awareness and spur actions.
Lynn said a head coach called him to say he canceled practice because he didn’t know what to do.
“Get your ass out in the community and go do something with some people who can actually make change,” Lynn said he told the anonymous head coach.
He then reminded his players of all the actions they’ve done away from the field and how to expand on it.
“We’re working with Liberty Hill in L.A. right now to change policies to end systemic racism,” Lynn told his players on Zoom the night before gathering at SoFi Stadium. “Get your ass out and vote to get the right people in the position that have the same viewpoints that you have. That’s one of the important things you can do.
“Best way to honor Jacob Blake, let’s talk about it to the media after we do our job.”
Lynn changed his mind and canceled practice after the emotional conversation in the locker room.
The players gave up their opportunities to earn playing time and roster spots in a valuable scrimmage to speak about social injustices for 60 minutes on national television. Stewart’s wise words and Lynn’s push for actions resonated with players.
Loved it. My respect for Anthony Lynn & this organization as a whole couldn’t be higher right now.
— Nick Horrigan (@NHorrigan30) September 2, 2020
STAR OF THE EPISODE
Nose tackle Breiden Fehoko got Lynn to say the words every undrafted rookie wants to hear.
“He just made the team,” Lynn said after watching Fehoko perform the ceremonial haka dance in front of teammates.
Lynn might have been joking, but he’s also been impressed with his play on the practice field.
Fehoko doesn’t have the ideal height for a defensive tackle — he jokingly blamed that on his mother — but his technique and drive to improve could keep him with the Chargers past Saturday’s cutdown day.
Two-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Linval Joseph told Fehoko to show up on tape. He muttered those words to himself before a practice. He also got the attention of star defensive end Melvin Ingram with his confidence.
Fehoko also won the hearts of viewers with his underdog story. Many are rooting for him to perform more hakas for the Chargers.
Breiden Fehoko is so easy to root for pic.twitter.com/7O7Bv2jGuP
— ChargersMemes (@ChargersMemes) September 2, 2020
AVOID RAMSEY’S SIDE
Safety JuJu Hughes was dumbfounded as to why the Rams decided to throw in rookie wide receiver Van Jefferson’s direction while being defended by star cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Ramsey won the round, but Jefferson has made many plays in camp. Perhaps it’s not the best idea to throw in Ramsey’s vicinity, but practice is about improving and the Rams likely wanted to see how good their 2020 second-round pick was.
Speaking of puzzling moves, why was coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead shaking hands with players after cutting them?
That’s like adding insult to injury. It’s 2020, Rams brass. Avoid high fives and handshakes. Shoulder bumps are acceptable, though.
#HardKnocks captures two of the highlights of #Rams training camp: Rookie WR Van Jefferson's route-running any day. And CB Jalen Ramsey's one-handed interception and length-of-the-field runback in practice on Aug. 25.
— Kevin Modesti (@KevinModesti) September 2, 2020
HERBERT’S UPS AND DOWNS
Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert was down on himself after a lackluster practice, but he showed growth with an impressive workout the following day.
This year’s No. 6 overall pick has been a mixed bag performance and personality wise.
He’s known for being quiet, but he showed personality when he did the “wassup” from the popular early 2000s Budweiser commercials. Herbert was born in 1998.
Rookie wide receiver K.J. Hill must have been so confused after he heard Herbert say that.
Herbert was also reminded by the Chargers’ defense he wasn’t facing Washington State. A subtle jab for the teams he faced in the Pac-12 while playing for Oregon.
The rookie said he obviously knew he wasn’t facing Washington State and then dropped a few impressive throws on the defense to prove it.
Yup. Will Herbert be able to have the game slow down. Cuz god given talent that boy has it.
— DH (@DH2185) September 2, 2020
TAYLOR’S LEADERSHIP
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is in an awkward situation with Herbert because he’ll likely replace him in the future.
Taylor is the current starter and wants to keep it that way for as long as possible, but that didn’t stop him from helping Herbert keep his confidence after throwing an interception.
“Brush it off,” Taylor told Herbert.
Taylor was also the one who gathered the team for the heart-to-heart conversation at SoFi Stadium.
It’s obvious the Chargers respect Taylor and want to hear from him as one of the leaders on the team.
Good leadership by Tyrod Taylor to tell Justin Herbert to "brush it off" after the rookie threw an interception. That's why Lynn is a fan of Tyrod as a person and player #Chargers #HardKnocks
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) September 2, 2020
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