In Their Own Words: Maryland Football Stands for Racial Justice

For the opening game of the 2020 season, Maryland Football student-athletes will debut new name-plates on their jerseys, helmet stickers and warm-up shirts to make personal statements about the ongoing fight for racial justice. Each expression was chosen directly by Maryland student-athletes and reflects a department-wide commitment to racial justice.

Spencer Anderson, Brian Cobbs, Dontay Demus Jr., Darryl Jones, Joseph Petrino and Colton Spangler describe below what their expressions mean to them.

Brian Cobbs

Junior Wide Receiver

EMPATHY

“I chose EMPATHY because with an issue like this or really any issue at all, you have to be able to understand the other side of a problem to relate with that problem. In order for us to fix things, people on the other side of this issue, whether it’s social injustice or racial inequality, they need to be able to understand what everybody else is going through.”

EQUALITY

“I chose EQUALITY for my shirt because as a team we all come from different backgrounds but that doesn’t make any of us better than anyone else. In order to be successful on and off the field and just representing human nature, EQUALITY is a big standing point.”

“It’s very special to me to have this Maryland football brotherhood because I know whatever I’m feeling and whatever my thoughts are there is going to be somebody that I can bring those thoughts to. They can relate with me and we can discuss whatever it may be in the world. Whether it’s creating change or just standing up with any type of issue, I feel like that’s the most important part of our brotherhood.”

Darryl Jones

Junior Wide Receiver

EQUALITY

“I chose EQUALITY for my name-plate because I want to see my younger sisters and the kids I grew up with have an equal opportunity to fight to start on the same level as their peers that might look a little different than them. I want kids now to grow up and not have to worry about being looked at differently and not have to worry about fighting extra hard in order to get where they need to be and not get beat out by someone who has had a head start in life. I want everyone that looks like me to have that step up in order to start at the same playing field as everyone else.”

“I never really realized at first how impactful and important it is to use your voice when you have one. I never realized how being a Division I athlete is that big of a deal because I never looked like it as that. When you go home and see former friends, coaches and teachers and they all tell you that they’re really proud of you and what you’ve done, you know that their kids know you and look up to you, you realize that you are speaking for them as well. It’s important that when you have a voice to use it because there are people that are listening.”

JUSTICE

“I chose JUSTICE for my shirt because I know myself along with many of my other brothers on the team have had a family member, friend or someone that they know put in a position where they felt like JUSTICE wasn’t served in their case. It’s hard knowing someone, in my case it was a good kid I knew growing up, that is just brought about this at the wrong time and then not getting the JUSTICE that my family and theirs feels like they deserve. It’s just kind of pushed aside, police brutality and all of that. It’s a big issue right now and a hot topic in fighting for what we believe in. It’s important for everyone to know and teach their kids the meaning behind it because JUSTICE is such an important thing. It’s not about the definition of the word, it’s about what you feel and what you feel is just. It’s about what is inside. It’s important for everyone to fight for what they believe in and believe that whatever they’re doing is just and to give it 100-percent.” 

Joseph Petrino

Junior Kicker

I GOT YOUR BACK

“I chose I GOT YOUR BACK because on this team we truly are a family. I think of these guys as my brothers and I don’t want anyone to feel that they are going through the struggle alone no matter what they face on a day-to-day basis.”

“I’m blessed to be a part of this team and the platform that it allows me to have. I plan on using this platform to my full advantage to show my full support by wearing this phrase on my shirt and backing it up with my actions because actions speak louder than words. I understand, I am with you and I am ready for change.”

Dontay Demus Jr.

Junior Wide Receiver

SPEAK UP

“I chose SPEAK UP because it’s just different. There are a lot of people out there that see a lot of things and can have a say in creating change. To have this platform shows that I have overcome a lot of things and have been able to use my platform to show people that it’s not always easy but you have that voice to step up and be that person of change.”

Spencer Anderson

Sophomore Offensive Lineman

UNITY

“I chose UNITY because of everything going on around the world. UNITY is special to me. Our voices together are better than one particular voice. It’s special to have my brothers with me because as we are all superstars in ourselves, we are all stronger together.” 

“Whether we believe it or not, our voices are heard and people look up to us. What better way is there to showcase social injustice than on the football field. Football is something that brings the world together.”

Colton Spangler

Sophomore Punter

UNITY

“I chose UNITY because we are one team and part of one family and all have to do our jobs to succeed. Once we do that, we can succeed on and off the field together.”

“It is very important to use our voices as football players. We are very vocal and we offer a lot on our platform that we have. We have a lot of people looking at us.”