Florida State players back off boycott threat over Mike Norvell’s comments

Florida State football players and coaches ironed out their issues Thursday after players threatened a boycott over coach Mike Norvell’s comments in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and the unrest that has followed.

On Tuesday, the Athletic’s Tashan Reed tweeted a quote from Norvell in which the first-year Seminoles coach said there had been “a lot of open communication� between the players and coaches and that he had “back and forth individually with every player this weekend� to discuss the recent events.

“And that was something that was important to me because this is a heartbreaking time in our country,� Norvell said, according to Reed.

“I’ll continue to share with our guys the platform that they have and the opportunity that is there for them to make a difference, to be an influence and to be able to impact our country in a positive way by the overall mindset and approach of how we treat people to how we respond in situations. I told these guys just how grateful I am to be a part of this journey with them because they are the future.�

Star defensive lineman and team captain Marvin Wilson took to Twitter the next day to dispute much of what his coach reportedly said.

“Man this [feces emoji] did not happen,� Wilson tweeted. “... We got a generated text that was sent to everybody. There was no one on one talk between us and coach. This is a lie.�

Wilson added that he and his teammates were outraged and would not be working out “until further notice.� Several other FSU players — including defensive end Jamarcus Chatman, linebacker Kalen DeLoach, offensive lineman Darius Washington, linebacker Kevon Glenn and cornerback Isaiah Bolden — shared Wilson’s tweet.

But according to Tomahawk Nation, athletic director David Coburn said on a Board of Trustees call Thursday that a team meeting earlier that morning went well.

“I believe we are moving on,� Coburn said.

Wilson and others indicated as much later in the day.

“Took a stand we got what we wanted & we are moving forward!!!� Wilson wrote in an Instagram post. “I appreciate @coachnorvell for encouraging me to use my platform and speak for what me and teammates believe in.�

Glenn tweeted: “We love our coach and we are together as a team. FSU football team and coaching staff is fine and working 100%. See y’all in fall.�

Glenn’s tweet was shared by multiple teammates.

Norvell released a statement on the matter Thursday afternoon.

“I’m proud of Marvin for utilizing his platform to express his reaction to my comments in an earlier interview,� he said. “Last Saturday evening, I sent a text to each player individually to present an opportunity for open communication with me. Many members of our team chose to respond and have more in-depth conversations about issues and feelings.

“Marvin is right. It was a mistake to use the word ‘every.’ Particularly at this time, words are important, and I’m sorry. Once again, I am grateful for the oppoirtunity that I was given to speak to our team more in-dept as a result of Marvin being willing to express his feelings. We will continue to communicate and work together to be part of the solution making our world a better place for ALL.�