Texas did not practice on Thursday to discuss social issues

With the NBA postponing two days of playoff games following the shooting of two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin late Tuesday during demonstrations seeking justice for Jacob Blake, who was shot seven times in the back by Kenosha police on Saturday, and the MLB canceling games as well, the Texas Longhorns canceled practice on Thursday.

Texas is scheduled to hold its third and final scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday as the team prepares to pivot to preparation for the season opener against UTEP in Austin in 16 days.

At the encouragement of head coach Tom Herman, Texas football players have spoken out against racial injustice since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in late May after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

The team organized a march from campus to the state capitol during that time and players have continued to use their platform to speak out about those issues.

On Thursday, junior linebacker DeMarvion Overshown posted a message about the fear that he feels as a Black man moving through the world after seeking to make connections with local activists with which the team can become involved.

Redshirt sophomore nose tackle Keondre Coburn expressed similar sentiments.