Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, his teammate Zach Ertz and Ertz's wife, soccer star Julie Johnston Ertz, on Thursday joined the chorus of athletes who have spoken out about George Floyd, the handcuffed black man whose death earlier this week while in police custody has deeply shaken Minneapolis and sparked protests in cities across the U.S.

The three athletes each took to social media to express support for the African American community as well as sorrow over the institutional racism that black people experience in America.

"Being from North Dakota, I've spent a large part of my life surrounded by people of similar color, so I'm never gonna act like I know what the black community goes through or even has gone through already.

"I am sorry for the pain and hurt the African American community has endured by another human and more than anything I am sorry that you feel that you are alone in this situation.".

On Wednesday, Lakers legend Magic Johnson expressed frustration over Floyd's death, writing on Twitter, "George Floyd was clearly murdered by a Minneapolis police officer.

We need to start seeing black people as human beings and not animals on the street.".

GEORGE FLOYD If this image doesn't disturb you and piss you off, then idk.

George pleaded for help and was just straight up ignored, which speaks loud and clear that his black life didn't matter.

George wasn't human to that cop that slowly and purposefully took his life away.

In Minneapolis on Thursday, protesters broke into a Minneapolis police precinct station after the department abandoned it, setting it ablaze and setting off fireworks