The tragic death of George Floyd has sparked massive protests all across the United States and overseas, with many celebrities expressing their feelings about it in one way or another. Some have joined the marches, others have shown their anger online, and a few have donated money to bail out protesters who’ve been arrested. Floyd Mayweather is showing his support by paying for Floyd’s funeral costs.
Floyd, a Black man, died on May 25 after Derek Chauvin, who’s white, knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest by him and three other Minneapolis police officers. All four were fired, and Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Mayweather spoke with Hollywood Unlocked about his kind gesture and said he was troubled that Chauvin’s charges weren’t more severe, a feeling that many others have shared.
He decided to pay for the funeral costs after learning the CEO of his TMT music label, Anzel Jennings, grew up with Floyd in Houston, Texas.
After that realization, Jennings contacted Floyd’s family, who accepted Mayweather’s offer. The professional fighter is paying for four funerals in all — in Houston; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Minnesota, Minneapolis. The fourth location will be announced at a later date.
“Floyd has done these kind of things over the last 20 years,” the CEO of Mayweather Promotions Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.
Mayweather’s act may quiet those who’ve accused him of remaining silent on social issues that involve Black people. This includes when Gucci released its balaclava sweater last year, which many said looked just like blackface.
T.I. is one of the celebrities who boycotted the Italian luxury brand and slammed Mayweather for not following suit. The boxer later responded and accused some celebrities of using a specific cause to further their brands.
