Among the most divisive issues facing the NFL today are national anthem protests. That division is also felt among the owners themselves, who are currently in Orlando for the annual owner’s meetings.
Outspoken on the subject for more than a year, Texans owner Bob McNair issued another statement on the issue on Sunday, saying, according to The Washington Post’s Mark Maske (Twitter link):
“We’re going to deal with it in such a way, I think, that people will understand that we want everybody to respect our country, respect our flag. And our playing fields, that’s not the place for political statements.”
Jets CEO Christopher Johnson, however, falls on the other side of the argument, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert (Twitter link).
“I can’t speak to how other people run their teams, but I just think that trying to forcibly get the players to shut up is a fantastically bad idea.”
Despite McNair’s seeming assuredness, the owners do not appear to be near to a solution. The issue is sure to permeate throughout the meetings.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Sticking with the Jets, wide receiver Robby Anderson had his court date moved from Monday to Aug. 6, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. The new date will now take place while the Jets are at training camp. The charges, stemming from a January incident, include three felonies: second-degree felony harm to a public servant or family, third-degree felony fleeing/eluding police while lights/siren active and third-degree felony speeding. After being arrested, Anderson threatened to sexually assault the wife of the arresting officer, according to reports. Anderson was allegedly clocked at 105 mph in 45-mph zone speeding away from police while running multiple red lights.
- Broncos general manager and executive vice president of football operations John Elway said the team doesn’t know who it plans to take with the No. 5 pick in 2018 NFL Draft, 9 News’ Mike Klis writes. “You know we’re wide open, to be dead honest with you,’’ Elway said. “Who knows how it’s all going to fall. The Jets have already moved (from the No. 6 pick up to No. 3) and there’s going to be other teams that may be moving around, too, so we’re going to go through and have those discussions. I will tell ya, it’s funny how people think they know who you’re drafting because I don’t know who we’re drafting, yet. We’re going to do our homework and eventually get there.’’
- Raiders owner Mark Davis said with the hiring of new head coach Jon Gruden, he plans to be done with the football side of the organization, NBC Sports’ Scott Bair tweets. “It was a six-year process to get Jon to be the head coach,” Davis said. “This year, he finally came on board. That allows me to see a long-term process working out on the football side. … I play devil’s advocate on certain things, but those guys make the decisions.”
can players not speak out on social issues in another way other than kneeling for the national anthem? I assume Christopher Johnson is a smart guy, but sometimes smart guys say stupid things.
It’s a peaceful protest that is raising awareness to an issue. They have a right to what they’re doing.
Is it not the right of Americans offended by them kneeling to speak out about it? It’s also the right of the owners to not sign players if they keep kneeling. So there seems to be more of problem with kneeling than solving any issue that they are bringing awareness to, which outside of “social justice” I’m not sure what the issue actually is and what they are doing to solve anything.
The only reason NFL players are even on the field for the anthems was because of the DoD kickback scandal where the Pentagon was paying sports leagues to aid recruitment by subtly upping the “patriotism” of games around 2008 or so.
Even years after 9/11 the players were not on the field, they were in the locker room.
Put them back in the locker room until after the anthem.
Problem solved.
Facts. And this protest has nothing to do with not supporting the flag or military or whatever. That notion comes from the orange man looking to divide. Let them protest peacefully, it’s their right
Idiot Internet Troll
I watch football to view the game and its players, I don’t go to games to view political statements.
How many times have the “Protests” been done during the actual football game? NONE. So, I don’t see how’s it interrupting people from viewing the game
I have no problem with them protesting. I dont agree with their stance but i agree with their right to protest on their own time.
I believe since they are being paid by the NFL and are on company time they have to abide by the NFL rules or face consequences. The DOD give the league money to get “advertisement” in the league and have them do certain things for that money. Just like Nike (i think they are still the uniform company) pay to make sure all the uniforms are from them and advertised. When players didnt follow the uniform rule they were fined every time they did it. If you want to protest during your work time, your employer has the right to deal with it accordingly up to and including termination. Whether it is up to the individual team or the nfl front office, I am not sure.
Sounds like the Jets are run by a moron.
Good luck with that.
They should talk to Steve Biscotti about the benefits of allowing your employees to protest at work. That turned out to be a “fantastically Bad idea”
You’re just realizing now the jets are run by a moron ?
The Ravens didn’t hire Kaepernick because of supposed public opinion. Turns out the Ravens could have used a quarterback last season since they didn’t make the playoffs. So yeah, great point.
If you think Kaepernick would’ve helped the Ravens make the playoffs you are sadly mistaken.
Wow me with your knowledge then. Show me Flacco’s numbers. And didn’t he get injured? Who was the No. 2 QB in Bmore last season?
My team, the Texans could have used him. But my team, the Texans, are owned by a man who think players are prisoners and he’s the sheriff.
Moronic-Azz-Clown-Idiot Snowflake
Well, if this continues attendance will continue to drop. Owners are not thinking clearly on this. Even the NBA got their players to stand.