Last month, the NFL changed its rules regarding the national anthem, allowing players who choose to not stand to remain in the locker room. So far, the new policy has not been well-received, and this week a group of civil rights organizations asked the NFL to eliminate the new rule.
“This policy represses peaceful, non-disruptive protest of police violence against unarmed African Americans and other people of color,” the various groups wrote (via USA Today). “It is disappointing that a league built on grit and competition lacks the constitution to stomach a call for basic equality and fairness.”
The groups want to meet with Roger Goodell to discuss the situation, but it’s not clear whether he’ll take them up on their offer, or if the league is willing to change course on its decision.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- In addition to some of the more obvious candidates for extensions this offseason, CBSSports.com’s Joel Corry suggests Giants safety Landon Collins, Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks, Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap, Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, and Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley are among those in line for new deals. Collins’ case is particularly interesting as the Giants shift to a different scheme under new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. The Giants will ask Collins to play a good deal of man coverage, which isn’t necessarily his strong suit, so the Giants might not want to pay him at the top of the safety market.
- In an interview with SiriusXM, Steelers free agent safety Mike Mitchell indicated that he hasn’t received much interest on the open market. The Steelers said in March that a return was possible, but that seems unlikely after the team added rookie safeties Terrell Edmunds (first round) and Marcus Allen (fith round) as well as free agent Morgan Burnett.
Was well received by the fans though
You do not speak for the fans. Just thought you should know. You only speak for yourself.
Maybe he was nominated to speak for a committee of fans.
They can protest after the game. Play football!
Isn’t that semantics? Protest after the game, protest before the game, what’s the difference?
Why not during the game? The first play of each game they can kneel and refuse to take the field. This would still show that they are making a stance but it would give people, like our president, no room to complain about them disrespecting the flag. That’s all the owners and fans care about.
Maybe some people have extraordinarily strong feelings about race and use of force and would love nothing more than to have a substantive conversation about it and come to a mutual understanding…. if people would just quit talking about asinine football game anthem kneeing for ten minutes.
The rule is neither appropriate nor politically correct – it is however a rule passed by a group of owners who are attempting to keep on the good side of a White House Administration that favors the wealthy over the needs of the rest.
Every single White House administration in history has favored the wealthy over the needs of the rest, from even before the President’s House was known as the White House. It’s only when “the rest” are organized and ready and willing to fight that any presidential administration is willing to acknowledge, let alone serve, the needs of the rest.
The only thing people can agree on these days is that one sect of politicians are our last best hope to save us from the other sect of politicians who will without doubt bring inescapable torment and doom to the entire civilized world if you don’t vote for them in the next election cycle.
Fairly wealthy people playing football on Sunday! Are they the “favored” people as well? Play football: they can politicize on their own time!
Usually money buys you a bigger voice-but not for the players?
Which voices do you hear more, NFL protesters or all those wealthy vocal and visible law enforcement supporters that have at-will media coverage
Kneeling during the anthem isn’t marching in protest. It’s making a silent statement which, apparently, gets on your nerves. So you should stand and sing the song and let other people kneel for human rights.
Why do we all have to be like you? Oh, that’s right. You’re a Fascist, and that’s how things go in your world.
Simple solution – there is no law that says the National Anthem needs to be played before a form of entertainment such as football. Until they pass a law requiring the Anthem before all activities from sports to the theatre to dance or concerts, the stop playing the song.
Nothing says more about patriotism than a bunch of drunk fans standing in line at the concession stand while somebody is monitoring the actions of athletes while the Anthem is played.
That’s a relatively simple and intelligent idea on the interwebs. You must be a witch, BURN HIM!
There is no law but the armed services PAY the nfl for it to be done. Just like Nike PAYS to have the players where the apparel that helps fund money for player contracts.
It has been said before that the Armed Services does this as a recruitment tactic. Whether the pay was a $1 or $10 billion or done as tax write offs i do not know.
In the end, If they (NFL and Owners) found that the money brought in more by allowing the protest than it did by getting rid of it; you can be damn sure they would be doing it. It is the dollar that runs the league and not necessarily morals. They were losing money because of the protest because it had grown so much that they had to act on it. This is their action they believe will bring about the most money.
players wear* the apparel
Ignore the commies.
Or teach the ignorant
Sad to read the tears of so many strong American football fans who are just so gosh darn upset at folks who kneel. My gosh, what tough lives these guys live. Having to deal with football players kneeling. Wow. Big ups to you brave men who come here in anonymity and cry like little children. Bless your hearts.
Says the moron who’s hiding behind a fake name huh?