Drinkwitz: ‘We’ve got to make reform’

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)

Eli Drinkwitz said that he and his team are having important conversations following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

“Just disappointed, extremely disappointed that we’re having to address these situations again," he said.

Drinkwitz opened up his press conference on Wednesday with a call for reform.

He said the things that have happened on video over the past few months are upsetting.

"We've got to keep bringing attention because there is a real problem in the United States of America," he said. "Abraham Lincoln said we are striving to become a more perfect union and we're not there yet. We're not there yet."

You can watch the full interview with Eli Drinkwitz in the video player below.

The team said it is important to lean on the coaching staff and their teammates, as these conversations show a reality.

“It’s a dangerous world out there and day-to-day you’ll never what will happen, just gotta pray to God that you’ll be safe and others will be too," said Missouri defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire.

You can watch the full interview with Isaiah McGuire in the video player below.

Players said that they are standing as one, united team. They added that the leadership Drinkwitz has shown makes them want to play for him even more.

“It’s not like he’s doing these things just because he’s the head coach and a lot of the parents would want him to do those things," said Missouri defensive back Adam Sparks. "He comes to us first, before we even talk to our parents about it because they’re all the way home back in Louisiana.”

You can watch the full interview with Adam Sparks in the video player below.

Drinkwitz added that it all comes down to opening up your mind.

"You’ve got to open your heart and say, 'What am I missing? What am I missing? What is going on here?' So, that’s what we’re going to do," Drinkwitz said.