Astros’ Justin Verlander, Kate Upton donate to NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Amid racial unrest and protests around the country stemming from George Floyd’s death, Astros pitcher Justin Verlander and his wife, Kate Upton, announced a donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund on Friday.

“Taking the time to educate myself has been extremely enlightening and eye-opening,” Upton wrote in an Instagram post. “Realizing that although many hearts are pure, the lack of understanding of while privilege is what continues to perpetuate this awful cycle of systematic racism.”

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Justin and I are proud to donate to the @naacp_ldf. They’re an organization that strives for racial justice by working to make structural changes to expand democracy and eliminate disparities through litigation, advocacy and public education. Taking the time to educate myself has been extremely enlightening and eye opening. Realizing that although many hearts are pure, the lack of understanding of white privilege is what continues to perpetuate this awful cycle of systemic racism. I’ve realized that since I can’t draw on my own personal experiences, which no white person can, that taking the time to educate myself has been invaluable. I urge you to also listen to the experiences of others… research, read books, join lectures, take a virtual class, or utilize the millions of online resources that exist. I listened to a podcast where @rachel.cargle said education + empathy + action = allyship. Every piece of that puzzle is needed. I am committed to taking those steps in my own life, and instilling them in my daughter’s life as well, and I hope that by using my platform to help spread the message it can encourage others to do the same. Thank you to the many organizations that are committed to advocating for change and the @naacp_ldf for all that you’re doing on a daily basis. #enoughisenough

A post shared by Kate Upton (@kateupton) on Jun 5, 2020 at 10:48am PDT

According to its website, the Legal Defense Fund “seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.”

In April, Verlander announced he’d donate all his paychecks during the pandemic to a charitable organization each week. The Houston Food Bank, Detroit Police Department and first responders, Covenant House in New York and Gold Star Mothers were among the organizations to which the couple gave money and other supplies. The couple had not announced a donation since May 9.