The jury came back with a surprising split decision on two men tried jointly, holding the more experienced officer accountable in the first of three trials in the death of the young Black man.
The 23-year-old died days after an encounter with the police and paramedics in 2019, which prompted investigations and demand for change within the Aurora, Colo., police force.
Tou Thao, who worked for the Minneapolis Police Department, held back bystanders as other officers restrained Mr. Floyd in a way that led to his death.
A battle over the group namesake’s ties to slavery grew into a conflict over diversity, highlighting complications that have arisen in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.
The league embraces progressive causes supported by players. But some team owners pull in the opposite direction, as apparent in the Orlando Magic’s donation to Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida.