Sports figures saddened, sickened by George Floyd's death

The death of George Floyd while in police custody on Monday in Minneapolis has sparked outrage locally and beyond.

Powerful video of the 47-year-old Floyd pleading, "I can't breathe" as a police officer kneels on his neck has led to similarly powerful reactions — including many from the world of sports. Here are some of those reactions from social media — some from local athletes and others worldwide:

• Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman reacted with a strong yet heartbreaking message on Twitter. He wrote, in part: "I'm an African Male from South Georgia. I never thought in a million years I would be scared to walk outside. I pray that we all wake up and start loving each other the correct way and stop taking each other lives."

• LeBron James posted on Instagram to his 65 million followers an image of Floyd next to an image of Colin Kaepernick, with the words: "Do you understand NOW!!??!!?? Or is it still blurred to you?? #StayWoke"

• Former Lynx star and FSN TV analyst Rebekkah Brunson called the way Floyd died "inhumanely sickening."

• Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie added perspective with his own message on Twitter. He wrote: "I'm a big believer in being proactive, not reactive. It's cool to have justice for people after they die, and it's cool to punish cops accordingly. But instead of reacting to each situation, we need to look the real problem in the eye and stop any further unnecessary killings."

• Twins manager Rocco Baldelli tweeted, "George Floyd should be breathing right now. We have a lot of progress to make. A lot. Remember his name. Remember what happened."