Packers Star Rashan Gary Slams Minneapolis Shooter for Harming LGBT Community With “Sick Excuses”

Green Bay, WI – August 30, 2025

The tragedy in Minneapolis has sent shockwaves across the nation. When Robin Westman opened fire during a service at Annunciation Church, killing two children and wounding 18 others, the horror was only amplified by the manifesto he left behind. In it, Westman blamed his mother for discouraging his gender transition and ranted about marijuana use, creating a chilling window into a disturbed mind.

The manifesto has sparked fierce debate across the United States. Some seized on his words to stoke fear about the LGBTQ community, framing Westman’s attack as evidence of instability tied to gender identity. That narrative quickly spread online, deepening prejudice at a time when many Americans already feel divided on issues of gender and youth transition.

But amid the storm of reaction, one NFL star stepped forward with a powerful message of clarity and humanity. Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary didn’t hold back in condemning Westman. He labeled the gunman “a sick, unstable person who couldn’t control his actions and blamed everyone else, without valuing human life.”

Gary went further, pushing back against the growing tide of discrimination. “No matter what gender people identify with, there will always be good and bad individuals. You cannot blame the entire LGBTQ community for the crimes of one person,” he said. His words reminded fans and the public that it is unfair—and dangerous—to equate one individual’s violence with an entire community.

For Gary, the issue is deeply personal. He emphasized that many of his close friends identify as LGBTQ and that they have consistently shown him compassion, loyalty, and love. By speaking out, he reframed the narrative: this wasn’t about gender identity, but about unchecked mental illness, substance abuse, and a failure to intervene before tragedy struck.

Gary’s stance carries weight far beyond football. In a league where players are often criticized for avoiding social issues, his willingness to publicly defend a marginalized community reflects the leadership and empathy that define him in Green Bay’s locker room. It also highlighted the responsibility public figures have in guiding the conversation toward compassion rather than fear.

The Minneapolis shooting remains a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers posed by easy access to firearms and untreated psychological struggles. Yet it also revealed how quickly public opinion can be weaponized against innocent communities. Gary’s words provided a counterbalance, insisting that justice requires targeting the guilty individual—not scapegoating an entire group.

As the investigation continues, Gary’s message lingers as a call to unity: society cannot heal by turning against itself. Instead, the lesson is to separate the crime of one disturbed man from the dignity of millions. In Gary’s voice, fans heard not only the anger of an athlete but also the compassion of a leader.