His brother died under a police officer's knee. Now, he wears a $45,000 gold lion to keep the memory alive.

His brother died under a police officer's knee. Now, he wears a $45,000 gold lion to keep the memory alive.

Philonise Floyd ordered the custom gold piece six years after his brother's death, using money from a $27 million city settlement.

When a loved one dies in front of the whole world, carrying their memory is hard. For Philonise Floyd, that tribute is made of solid gold and shaped like a lion.

Philonise Floyd recently showed off a custom gold pendant worth $45,000. The piece merges half of George Floyd’s face with a lion's mane.

On the back, a quote reads: "The truth is just like a lion. You don't have to defend it, it will defend itself."

The piece honors George Floyd's athletic days at Jack Yates High School in Houston. It comes six years after his death in 2020.

What the money and evidence shows

• The custom gold chain cost $45,000.
• It blends half of George Floyd’s face with a lion's mane.
• The back has a quote about truth defending itself.
• The piece honors George Floyd's time at Jack Yates High School.
• The family received a $27 million settlement from Minneapolis in 2021.

The Bigger Question

How do families heal after getting large payouts for wrongful deaths? Money cannot bring back a lost family member, but it changes how they can choose to remember them.

We must ask how we measure the value of a life lost to violence. Is a gold tribute a fitting mark of respect, or does the public expect something different?

The Other Side

Some people argue that spending large amounts on jewelry can take away from the message of police reform. They feel the money could go toward helping the local community instead. Yet supporters say the family has the sole right to spend their settlement money as they see fit, and there is no single rule book for grief.

What Happens Now

This custom chain keeps George Floyd’s name in the public eye. It shows that the pain of the family is still fresh, even years after the protests ended.

For regular people, it shows how those left behind must find new ways to carry on with their lives.

What We Still Don't Know

• Who made the custom gold chain?
• How does the Houston community feel about this tribute?
• Will the chain be worn at public events for social justice?