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'Crossed the line': Tiger Woods hits out after George Floyd 'tragedy'

australian associated press
·2-min read
Tiger Woods, pictured here during 'The Match' golf event for charity.
Tiger Woods has spoken out amid the violence after George Floyd's death. Image: Getty

Tiger Woods is the latest sporting star to call for change to create a “safer, unified society” after the death of George Floyd.

Woods said on Monday he has always respected US law enforcement but that their use of force on Floyd clearly crossed a line.

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Floyd died on May 25 in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed his knee into the 46-year-old African-American man's neck while he was handcuffed and saying that he couldn't breathe.

“I have always had the utmost respect for our law enforcement,” 15-times major champion Woods said in a post on Twitter.

“They train so diligently to understand how, when and where to use force.

“This shocking tragedy clearly crossed that line.”

Tiger Woods hopes tragedy can spark change

Numerous prominent athletes, including NBA great Michael Jordan, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo, have spoken out in recent days as anti-police brutality and anti-racism marches and rallies boiled over across the country.

Liverpool players took a knee at Premier League training on Monday while Manchester United stars Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba took to social media to voice their stance against racism.

Former five-division world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather has also offered to cover Floyd's funeral costs.

A crowd, pictured here listening as speaker during a protest after the death of George Floyd.
A crowd listens as speaker during a protest after the death of George Floyd. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

“I remember the LA riots and learned that education is the best path forward,” said Woods, 44, referring to six days of civil disturbances in 1992 after four white police officers were acquitted of beating African-American man Rodney King.

“We can make our points without burning the very neighbourhoods that we live in.

“I hope that through constructive, honest conversations we can build a safer, unified society,” added Woods, who in 1997 at 21 became the first black golfer to win the Masters in 1997.

Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged on Friday with third-degree murder in the death of Floyd.