OU Football Team Holds Silent Protest In Response To SAE Video

The University of Oklahoma football team is refused practice and instead protest.

The players are calling on the university to continue its investigation into SAE, and not just punish two of its members.

The players dressed in black, walked silently on Owen Field and protested racism in America. An image they worked on for days, after tempers initially flared.

3/12/15 Related Story: OU Football Team Holds Silent Protest Thursday

Senior Captain Erik Striker first responded to the racist chant caught on tape with a heated statement of his own on social media.

After apologizing for his language, Striker stayed firm to his message that he and his teammates want to end racism in America.

"I was hurt, all of us was hurt by that video and I clearly stated that before we were all hurt it turned out stomachs and our hearts and dropped out beliefs it really hurt all of us," said Striker.

Senior player Ty Darlington said, "It proves the culture that has slipped into some universities and we really want to make a change”.

So, led by Striker and head coach Bob Stoops, nearly the entire OU football decided not to practice and to instead protest.

They called on the university to continue its investigation into SAE and not end with expelling just two students. The team would like to see the school expel, suspend or severely discipline SAE officers.

Now, Coach Stoops and the team want to draw attention from Striker's initial reaction on to the team's stance on the issue.

“Not for me to talk about. Who am I or who is anyone to address someone's level of reaction to something that could be so hurtful, “said Coach Stoops.

"This is not what we signed up when we came here but the opportunity landed for us as student athletes we felt a responsibility to use our platform to promote social change because we can,” said Darlington.

In response to the teams request the school stated the Vice President will continue to investigate each SAE member.

The athletic director also released a statement and said he plans to meet with the team captains and President David Boren.