George Floyd — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020, leading to global protests against police brutality.
His dying words, "I can't breathe," became a rallying slogan for social justice movements.
Grew up in Houston, Texas, and played football and basketball in high school and college.
Worked as a truck driver and bouncer in Minneapolis before losing his jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Minneapolis settled a wrongful death lawsuit with his family for $27 million.
The police officer responsible for his death was convicted of murder and manslaughter.

Biography

George Perry Floyd Jr. was born on October 14, 1973, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He grew up in Houston, Texas, where he played football and basketball throughout high school and college, including attending South Florida Community College and Texas A&M University–Kingsville. After being paroled in 2013 following a 2007 aggravated robbery conviction, he served as a mentor in his religious community and posted anti-violence videos.