Mizzou Football Players Boycott Activities Until President Tim Wolfe Resigns

Racial tensions on the University of Missouri's campus reached a boiling point as 32 African-American football players announced they would stop participating in team activities until university system president Tim Wolfe resigns. The players, inspired by the message of Mahatma Gandhi, expressed their solidarity with Mizzou student Jonathan Butler, who has been staging a hunger strike since Monday, demanding Wolfe's resignation. The university's head coach, Gary Pinkel, publicly expressed his support for the players, tweeting "The Mizzou Family stands as one. We are united. We are behind our players." The team's boycott has significant implications for the university's athletics program, particularly with a game against Brigham Young scheduled for Saturday.

Key Takeaways:

• 32 African-American Mizzou football players announced they would boycott team activities until President Tim Wolfe resigns or is removed.
• The players' decision is in solidarity with Mizzou student Jonathan Butler, who has been staging a hunger strike since Monday, demanding Wolfe's resignation.
• Head coach Gary Pinkel expressed his support for the players, tweeting "The Mizzou Family stands as one. We are united. We are behind our players."
• The team skipped a scheduled practice on Sunday and will not resume practicing until the situation is resolved.
• The university's athletic department released a statement supporting the players' right to protest and expressing a commitment to tackling racial issues on campus.
• The boycott has significant implications for the university's athletics program, particularly with a game against Brigham Young scheduled for Saturday.

Statistics:

• 32: The number of African-American Mizzou football players who announced they would boycott team activities until President Tim Wolfe resigns.
• 4-5: The University of Missouri football team's current win-loss record, which will likely be affected by the boycott.
• 90 minutes: The approximate length of the team meeting on Sunday, after which players declined comment on the situation.
• 1: The number of game the University of Missouri football team played before announcing the boycott, losing to Mississippi State.
• 1: The number of games the University of Missouri football team has left before the end of the season, including a game against Brigham Young scheduled for Saturday.

Sources:

• Dave Matter, Tribune News Service
• Twitter accounts of the Mizzou football players and the university's athletic department
• The Associated Press
• Chad Moller, Mizzou football team spokesman
• Gary Pinkel, University of Missouri head coach