Why is the Raiders' 'I can breathe tweet' coming under fire?

THE Las Vegas Raiders organization has come under fire for their 'inappropriate' social media post following Derek Chauvin's conviction.

Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter in his trial regarding the death of George Floyd and could face up to 40 years in prison as a result.

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Why is the Raiders' 'I can breathe tweet' coming under fire?

The Las Vegas Raiders are in the firing line for posting a tweet on the team's social media accounts moments after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd.

Floyd died last May following an arrest during which Chauvin placed a knee on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds while Floyd pleaded, “I can’t breathe.”

Fans of the team have complained that the tweet is insensitive and tone-deaf to the situation.

Raiders owner Mark Davis took responsibility for posting "I Can Breathe" on their Twitter.

Davis has said the post was inspired by the comments Floyd's brother Philonise made at a news conference following the conviction when he explained, "Today, we are able to breathe again."

"If I offended the family, then I'm deeply, deeply disappointed," Davis said regarding the post.

Chauvin faces a maximum sentence of 75 years in jail after he was found guilty of the murder of Floyd on all counts on April 20 following a three-week trial.

Sentencing is due to take place in eight weeks time, Judge Peter Cahill said.

What did people say about the tweet?

Social media users berated the Raiders organization under their posted tweet.

"About to be a job opening on the Raiders social media department," one said.

"who the f*** on ur social team green-lighted this post," another wrote.

"This is so incredibly offensive," one purported.

"the fact that there were MEETINGS that went into approving this graphic and y’all made it your pinned tweet shows you gotta have the most tone deaf social media staff on the planet," another complained.

"Mark Davis' refusal to take down that offensive @Raiders tweet says so much about white arrogance, billionaire arrogance, NFL-owner's box arrogance, silver spoon trust fund baby arrogance, born on third, think you hit a triple arrogance, and – let's say it again – white arrogance," one wrote.

"Nothing wrong with this post. Don’t misinterpret it. I understood what they meant with this and it is like breathing again, justice was finally served and the movement continues for those who still have not had justice," a user argued.

What did George Floyd's brother say about the tweet?

TMZ reported that Philonise was not offended by the post.

He told the outlet that "he does not believe the message was intended to be negative and he hasn't had any negative thoughts about it all."

In fact, Philonise "kind of agrees with the post- explaining how the world can finally take a breath now that the man who killed his brother has been convicted and will be held accountable."

Through his attorneys, Philonise released a statement about the post that read:

“On behalf of our family, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Las Vegas Raiders organization and its leadership for their support of our family and for our nation’s ongoing pursuit of justice and equality for all,” he said.

“Now, more than ever, we must come together as one and continue on in this fight. For the first time in almost a year, our family has taken a breath. And I know that goes for so many across the nation and globe, as well.”

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