FOOTBALL

Alabama football players, coaches to march on Monday in protest of racial inequality

Tide Sports

Protesters gather in front of Foster Auditorium on the campus of the University of Alabama on Saturday. Melvon Brumfield is hugged by fellow protesters after he ended the gathering by saying he loved every person there. UA students have started a petition to have several buildings on campus renamed.

Alabama football players and coaches plan to march from the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility to Foster Auditorium Monday afternoon. Alabama wide receiver John Metchie was the first of many to publicize the march on Instagram, and running back Najee Harris publicized the logistical details on Twitter.

Earlier in the summer, UA football posted a message on racial inequality written by offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, which ended with five players repeating, "Because all lives can't matter until Black lives matter."

Protesting around the SEC has in some cases meant skipping previously scheduled practices, as was the case at Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Kentucky.

Foster Auditorium is where, on June 11, 1963, then-Governor George Wallace stood in the door attempting to prevent two Black students, Vivian Malone and James Hood, from enrolling at UA. Foster Auditorium has since been renovated into an athletic facility and currently hosts the UA volleyball team.

Reach Brett Hudson at 205-722-0196 or bhudson@tuscaloosanews.com or via Twitter, @Brett_Hudson