Athletes react to the George Zimmerman verdict

Dwyane Wade was one of the most outspoken athletes about the verdict.
Credit: Getty Images

As always, Twitter has become a sounding board for people in times of major breaking news. And it’s no different for athletes.

So it’s no surprise that when George Zimmerman was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, athletes took to Twitter to express their feelings on the controversial trial.

It’s especially interesting considering the racial dichotomy of the sports world and the racially charged trial. Only about 13 percent of the U.S. population is black, but about 75 percent of the NBA is black and 65 percent of the NFL is black. Many athletes grew up feeling the same feelings and living the same life as Martin. Many athletes, including NBA stars Kevin Durant and LeBron James, wore hoodies as a measure of support for Martin at the time Zimmerman was being investigated and charged.

James’s teammate Dwyane Wade was one of the most outspoken athletes on Twitter in the wake of the verdict Sunday night.

Wow!!! Stunned!!! Saddened as a father!!! Some1 make sense of this verdict for me right now please!!! Don’t worry I’ll wait…
— THREE (@DwyaneWade) July 14, 2013

How do I explain this to my young boys????
— THREE (@DwyaneWade) July 14, 2013

Former teammate of both Wade and James (yes, they did team up on Cleveland), Shaquille O’Neal expressed the same shock.

George Zimmerman not guilty can u believe that. Wow
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) July 14, 2013

Outspoken former Buccaneers lineman Warren Sapp expressed the same thoughts many in the NFL world had when former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress came to mind. Burress served two years in prison for illegal possession of a handgun when he shot himself in the leg in Nov. 2008.

Yep! RT @FL3X169: Zimmerman not guilty……. Plaxico Burress served 2 years for shooting himself
— Warren Sapp (@WarrenSapp) July 14, 2013

Sapp ripped just about everybody involved in the trial if you read through his entire timeline. Burress himself, by the way, has not commented on Twitter. Current Giants receiver Victor Cruz did post a photo of Martin however. He also deleted a tweet saying “the hood would catch up” to Zimmerman. That sentiment was echoed by Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, with some definitely NSFW language.

Warriors guard Stephen Curry was shocked Zimmerman wasn’t even convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Watched a lot of the case…though manslaughter was a definite! Thinking about everyone involved especially the Martin family
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) July 14, 2013

And was equally outraged Zimmerman would receive his gun back as the evidence was released back to the defendant.