Liberty University losing players due to ‘racial insensitivity’ about Black Lives Matter

When Tayvion Land made his decision to attend Liberty Universty, many college football watchers were stunned. A consensus four-star recruit who had de-committed from Maryland to head to the private school without a conference in Lynchburg, Virginia — it seemed an odd move at the time.

And it turns out he’ll have only played one season at the school founded by religious leader Jerry Falwell as Land has announced his intention to transfer, “due to the racial insensitivity displayed by leadership at Liberty University.”

Coming out of high school in Ocean Lakes, Maryland, Land had offers from LSU, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and more. He’s a defensive back with ball skills and speed that translates to the next level, and the market for him will be robust.

The “racial insensitivity” being referred to could be several things, but likely points to a tweet from university President Jerry Falwell Jr. two weeks ago of an image of a mask with the racist yearbook photo of Virginia governor Ralph Northam, next to someone in a Ku Klux Klan hood and robes. Falwell has since apologized, but three dozen black alumni of the school denounced him last week and the university director of diversity has resigned.

The comments of the black alumni were an indictment of his leadership.

“You have belittled staff, students and parents, you have defended inappropriate behaviors of politicians, encouraged violence, and disrespected people of other faiths,” they wrote, advising Falwell that “your heart is in politics more than Christian academia or ministry.”

Land isn’t the only Liberty player to step aside from the program, as fellow DB Kei’Trel Clark has also decided to leave the team:

Clark had Kent State, Marshall, and Charlotte amongst his FBS offers coming out of high school.