NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last night indicated that the league is encouraging players "to use their voice to promote social change" as the demonstrations during the playing of the National Anthem continue, according to Tom Pelissero of USA TODAY. Speaking before the Vikings' first regular-season game at U.S. Bank Stadium, Goodell said that the "movement from 'protest to progress' is a positive sign." Goodell: "We want them to use that voice. And they’re moving from protests to progress and trying to make things happen in the communities. And I admire that about our players, (being) willing to do that." He added, "We want to respect people. We want to respect our differences. We want to respect our flag and our country, and our players understand that. So I think where they’re moving and how they’re moving there is very productive, and we’re going to encourage that." Goodell said that he "hasn't reached" out to 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick, who "once again kneeled" during the National Anthem Sunday (USATODAY.com, 9/18). In S.F., Eric Branch reports 49ers S Jaquiski Tartt and CB Rashard Robinson joined LB Eli Harold and S Antoine Bethea "in raising a clenched right hand during the national anthem" prior to yesterday's game against the Panthers, while Kaepernick and S Eric Reid "knelt next to each other for the third straight game." Tartt said, "I feel like Kaepernick is doing a good thing. If you look at it, you have people fighting for freedom, equality and justice. I feel like that’s something we haven’t been getting” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/19).
OTHER PROTESTS AROUND THE LEAGUE: In San Diego, Michael Gehlken notes Chargers OTs Joe Barksdale and Chris Hairston yesterday held their right fists raised "for the entirety of the national anthem." The gesture was "something they didn’t spend the week planning but rather a response to a subject long on their mind." Barksdale said that he talked to Hairston "about raising a clenched right hand in the air ... just before the anthem began." At least one teammate "said that he would’ve joined Barksdale and Hairston had he known the two were doing it" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/19). In Miami, Adam Beasley noted Dolphins RB Arian Foster, S Michael Thomas and WR Kenny Stills "again kneeled during the playing" of the National Anthem. However, LB Jelani Jenkins, who participated last week, followed through on what he said late last week and did not join in yesterday (MIAMI HERALD, 9/19). In Denver, Cameron Wolfe notes Broncos LB Brandon Marshall received a "quieter entry of boos" when introduced before yesterday's game. Marshall "took a knee" during the National Anthem for a second straight week, but "no other Broncos or Colts players appeared to participate in the gesture" (DENVER POST, 9/19).
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| Jenkins said that he expects to make a demonstration every week of the season |
EAGLES PLAN SOMETHING FOR TONIGHT: In Philadelphia, Zach Berman noted Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins "did not yet know what he will do during the national anthem" for tonight's game against the Bears, though he has "ruled out kneeling and locking arms." He "does not know how many teammates will join him," and he "expects to make the demonstration every week." Jenkins is "one of the more socially aware Eagles," and he "closely followed" how players such as Kaepernick made gestures during the National Anthem. He said, "Whatever I do, it's my way of expressing the same exact message. You've seen the impact it's had not only throughout the league but around the country with the conversations that were sparked." Berman noted Jenkins made clear that "any action would not be anti-police and has nothing to do with the military or the flag" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 9/18). Jenkins discussed his plan on Friday on WIP-FM and said that there "was a plan to do something last week, but the Eagles decided as a team to not distract from Sept. 11" (DELAWAREONLINE.com 9/17). In Philadelphia, Les Bowen noted Eagles coach Doug Pederson "indicated that if the entire team stood together, he would join them." Pederson: "Malcolm (Jenkins) and I have talked about this. It’s going to happen regardless of what I decide or say, and I respect the players’ decisions on it." Pederson said that he "thinks the protests will become part of the fabric" of the '16 season (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 9/18). Meanwhile, Bears LB Danny Trevathan said that there were "no plans in place" to use the game as an "outlet for protest." However, in Chicago, Patrick Finley noted Trevathan did "leave the door open" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/18).
PLAYERS' POINT OF VIEW: Lions LB DeAndre Levy in his weekly column for the DETROIT FREE PRESS wrote the "best intentions" of Kaepernick's protest have "been met with some very disappointing and frankly poorly informed responses." Levy: "I don't want Kaepernick's primary point to get lost: America's ideal of Liberty and Justice for all is not enjoyed by all." Whether people personally "decide to sit or stand for the anthem, no matter your identity, we all have work to do if we truly want America to live up to its ideal of liberty and justice for all" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/18). Former NFLer Jimmy Farris in a special to USA TODAY writes he "wasn't appalled" because Kaepernick started the current movement when he sat for the Anthem, but instead was "dismayed because I knew, immediately, his decision would subject him to a wave of hate, cynicism and ridiculous scrutiny. " The comments have been "disgusting and disappointing." Mostly because it was "clear people didn’t even take the time to understand the substance of Kaepernick's message." They lacked the "courage to ask a difficult question: What if Kaepernick is right? What if America isn't holding up its end of the bargain for some of its citizens?" (USA TODAY, 9/19).
RAISING AWARENESS, TEACHING LESSONS: In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell wrote he has come to "admire Kaepernick’s recent stance," as the QB has "nothing to personally gain from raising social-justice issues." Kaepernick has become a "target for scorn from many in our country, and he appears to accept that as a fair cost of raising awareness." Bonnell views Kaepernick's protest "as an act of courage." We can all "choose to edit whether this was his best route to an end," but one cannot "doubt his conviction." People cannot say what LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony did at the ESPYs was "admirable, and then not tolerate Kaepernick’s reaction." Call him "tone-deaf, but don’t say he lacks for a calling" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/18). An L.A. TIMES editorial carried the header "Here's Hoping Colin Kaepernick's Protest Movement Can Teach Schools A Lesson In The 1st Amendment" (L.A. TIMES, 9/17).
NBA IS UP NEXT: Wade said that he has "been encouraged by other athletes who 'have answered the call'" his group made during the ESPYs. ESPN.com's Michael Wallace noted Wade is "among some NBA players who believe athletes in their sport will continue to find ways to express themselves and their discontent with social issues once the season opens next month." Wade: "We're portrayed as bigger than life because we're on the big stage. But we're everyday people as well. And it's OK to have a voice and express that" (ESPN.com, 9/17). Thunder G Victor Oladipo last week said he believes players will make some form of protest during the NBA season. Oladipo: "People are gonna be looking at some guys in the NBA to see what they're gonna do." He added he has "not yet" discussed the protests with his teammates." Oladipo: "But a few people just in general I've had conversations with about that. ... We'll see a few guys in the NBA doing the same thing" (COMPLEX.com, 9/14).
