OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti on Monday pledged $1 million for social justice reform in the Baltimore area, saying he is "shaken by the acts of racism that continue to overwhelm our society."
A committee of current and former Ravens players will determine which programs will directly benefit from the contribution.
This donation, which was made jointly by the Ravens and the Steve and Renee Bisciotti Foundation, comes amid protests in Minneapolis and around the country over the death of George Floyd.
"There is nothing I can say to ease the pain felt by African-American communities across our country. No words will repair the damage that has been done," Bisciotti said in a statement. "Like many people, I am sickened, disheartened and shaken by the acts of racism that continue to overwhelm our society. The most recent killing, involving George Floyd, is yet another tragic example of the discrimination that African-Americans face each day."
Floyd, a black man, died last week in Minneapolis after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes. Chauvin was fired Tuesday and charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers were also fired but have not been charged.
Several former and current Ravens players, including Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, have expressed grief and outrage on social media over the past week.
"Now, more than ever, we must all strengthen our pursuit of positive change, as we stand with peaceful protestors around the country," Bisciotti said. "We must all seek to understand by listening better and learning more. We must all discover new ways to unite. We must all work to break the cycle of systematic racial injustice."
Bisciotti added, "Our players have been -- and will continue to be -- at the forefront of this change. We believe in their commitment to furthering social justice and invoking meaningful change. We stand side by side with them, in full support."
This is the latest of many contributions that the Ravens have made to social justice reform over the years since Baltimore had riots in 2015 over the death of Freddie Gray.
Since the coronavirus outbreak, the Ravens and the Stephen & Renee Bisciotti Foundation have totaled $3.2 million in charitable contributions. This includes $1 million total to the Maryland Food Bank, Baltimore Community Fund, Fund for Educational Excellence and United Way, $1 million to the Maryland Food Bank specifically, $100,000 to the Salvation Army, $100,000 to the Red Cross, and now this $1 million donation for social justice causes.