Texas Football Player Sits Until ‘Changes Are Made’

University of Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown has said that he will sit out of team activities “until real action is taken and changes are made” with regard to race-related issues on campus.

Overshown posted a statement announcing the news in a tweet on Thursday, calling on university leadership to show “urgency” in addressing issues raised by members of the football team.

Until We Are One. pic.twitter.com/OQN7xmjFRd

— DeMarvion Overshown (@dee_overshown6) July 2, 2020

ESPN reports that dozens of Longhorn student-athletes signed onto a letter calling for changes on campus last month, as protests following the police killing of George Floyd took hold across the nation. Student-athlete signatories urged campus leadership to change the names of several campus buildings that are currently named for segregationists, and for the school to stop using “The Eyes of Texas” song at campus and athletic events because of the song’s roots in early 1900s minstrel shows. Additionally, the student-athletes requested a permanent exhibition in the athletic hall of fame dedicated to Black athletes, and for a part of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to be renamed for Julius Whittier, the Longhorns' first Black player.

Athletic director Chris Del Conte and interim university president Jay Hartzell reportedly met with the football team in June to address some of their concerns, but Del Conte has called for patience. 

Overshown, who will be a junior this season, has made 17 appearances and two starts for the Longhorns.