Memphis males’s basketball coach and metropolis native Penny Hardaway took to Instagram late Friday to supply an apology to Tyre Nichols.
The 29-year-old Memphis resident died Jan. 10, three days after Memphis cops tased, pepper sprayed and beat him throughout a Jan. 7 visitors cease, as proven in video footage launched by town of Memphis on Friday. 5 former Memphis Police Division officers have been charged with second-degree homicide, aggravated assault-acting in live performance, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Hardaway, who was born and raised in Memphis, posted a heartfelt apology on Instagram shortly earlier than midnight Friday.
“Tyre, I’m sorry that nobody got here outdoors of their houses that night time,” the submit, which was accompanied by a photograph of a smiling Nichols, reads. “I’m sorry that nobody in uniform helped you. You have been failed that night time. And I’m additionally sorry that this finally occurred to you. Relaxation in peace and in Heaven.”
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Hardaway additionally addressed Nichols’ household in addition to town of Memphis.
“To the Nichols household I’m saddened by what occurred to Tyre,” he wrote. “From the College of Memphis Males’s Basketball workforce and employees we share in your ache over this tragic loss. And to my beloved metropolis let’s wrap our arms round this household of their time of sorrow. Tyre’s life mattered. #justicefortyre”
Hardaway’s submit got here after he commented Thursday night time following the Tigers’ win over SMU at FedExForum.
“Effectively, for my metropolis, you realize, as a result of that is the place I’m from, I’m at all times about love,” he stated in his postgame information convention. “I’m at all times attempting to do my half to make sure that we’re higher than what we have been. You understand, wherever I’m in no matter state of affairs, that it’s higher. We’re nicely conscious of how our metropolis must heal and develop.
“I don’t need to converse out of flip about something, however my coronary heart is at all times large for town, as a result of I do know the place we need to go. And I need to be part of being the blessing and the positivity in shifting ahead. So, for me, that’s simply the place I’m with town. Everybody is aware of me, I really like this metropolis. I got here again residence to make a distinction and that’s what I’m attempting to do.”
Faragi Phillips, an assistant coach with the Memphis males’s basketball workforce, additionally took to social media Saturday morning, posting an excerpt of lyrics from the favored Marvin Gaye music, “What’s Going On.”
Attain Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.
