Pro golfer draws attention for wearing Blue Lives Matter wristband at event near Minneapolis

Professional golfer Richy Werenski drew both support and criticism online for wearing a Blue Lives Matter wristband over the weekend at a tournament near Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed by police two months ago.

Werenski, who has worn the wristband for PGA Tour events since 2017, finished third in the 3M Open, which finished on Sunday. But it was the wristband that captured headlines on Monday.

Playing 20 minutes away from where George Floyd was killed by police officers, Richy Werenski has been wearing a Blue Lives Matter band this week at the 3M Open pic.twitter.com/LGJ4mOGAqB

— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) July 26, 2020

Just miles from where George Floyd died, Richy Werenski wore a “Blue Lives Matter” wristband over the weekend. https://t.co/w9Cez6F6sp

— Golfweek (@golfweek) July 27, 2020

I was pulling for you until I saw your wrist had blue lives matter on it. What a shame. I have a signed golf ball from you after carrying your scorecard at a tournament in Tampa. I’ll be throwing that shit away! #BlackLivesMatter

— Stump Stadium Legend (@Barclayallday26) July 26, 2020

Others came to Werenski’s support.

Good for him. More people should be showing their appreciation for police who put their lives on the line to protect us. https://t.co/eDX6XSshSy

— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) July 27, 2020

You can’t express support for law enforcement, who’ve been under attack across the country, if you’re within *checks notes* a 20 minute radius of Minneapolis. https://t.co/mdrq13lpo2

— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) July 27, 2020

Professional athletes are increasingly expressing their political views and positions on social causes, at times sparking divisions within the sports community. WNBA players recently walked off the court during the national anthem at the league’s season opener.

Blue Lives Matter was founded in December 2014 after New York City police officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were shot and killed while sitting in their squad car in Brooklyn.