Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

National Anthem Protests Continue, With More NFL, College Football Players Joining In

Redskins WR DeSean Jackson, TE Niles Paul, CB Greg Toler and WR Rashad Ross yesterday "raised their fists" during the National Anthem before their game against the Giants, according to Steinberg & Tesfatsion of the WASHINGTON POST. Redskins players over the past month "hadn’t made headlines during the anthem protests," but the four players "changed that." Jackson: "We felt like there’s a lot going on out there in our country now. We feel like we have an opportunity to be seen and be heard. ... We feel like something dramatic needs to happen in this society and our country nowadays with all the things that’s going on is kind of senseless. Hopefully us as professional athletes can maybe come together and stick together and just show that we support it." Ross said that it was "Jackson’s idea" to demonstrate (WASHINGTON POST, 9/26). In S.F., Eric Branch notes 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick is "continuing to receive support from teammates." 49ers LB Eli Harold, who previously had raised a fist during the Anthem, yesterday joined Kaepernick and S Eric Reid in "kneeling before kickoff" of their game against the Seahawks. Five 49ers players "raised their [fist]" during the Anthem (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/26). Also in S.F., Ann Killion notes Raiders LBs Malcolm Smith and Bruce Irvin yesterday "raised their fists" during the Anthem, as did five or six Titans players "on the other side of the field." Smith said after the game, "Hopefully, it’s getting a conversation started. I hope people don’t feel disrespect.” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio "did not seem very excited about the development." He said, "I would’ve hoped that it would’ve been brought up ahead of time so we could all be involved" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/26). In Indianapolis, Allison Carter notes Colts CB Antonio Cromartie yesterday "became the first member of the team to take a knee" during the Anthem against the Chargers. He "was the only player on either team to kneel," though several members of the Chargers "raised their fists" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/26). Cromartie: "It was my time to stake a stand. I just felt it was important for players" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/26).

NEEDING MORE SUPPORT? USA TODAY's Josh Peter noted there is a "facet of Kaepernick’s ongoing protest that is gaining attention: the limited support of white athletes." Three women are the "only white professional athletes who have knelt during the national anthem as an act of solidarity with Kaepernick" (USATODAY.com, 9/24). Seahawks DE Michael Bennett said, "You need a white guy to join the fight. The white guy is super important to the fight. For people to really see social injustices, there must be someone from the other side of the race who recognizes the problem, because a lot of times if just one race says there’s a problem, nobody is realistic about it” (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/23). 

NOT GOING AWAY: The AP's Tim Reynolds noted with NBA teams starting training camp, an "issue each is addressing is how players and coaches can help create substantive change in cities across the country." The NBA and the players' union "urged teams" to "develop ideas in a memo" last week. In a league where about 75% of the players are black, and some have "enormous social-media followings, plenty of eyes will be on the NBA to see what it does after NFL players and some athletes from other sports have taken to kneeling." The NBA has a rule "saying players and staff must stand" for the Anthem (AP, 9/24). Pistons coach and President of Basketball Operations Stan Van Gundy said, "I find it encouraging that we have a number of these guys that want to say something and want to use the platform they have, and not just care about how much they're making. They want to get involved in what's going on in society. I think that is fabulous and we need to support it in every single way we can." Van Gundy: "This requires some thought. ... Do you just want to kneel down so bring attention to the fact that there's a problem? That's great. Do you want to beyond it?" In Michigan, Aaron McMann noted the Pistons are "organizing an in-house voter registration drive for players, who will be out of town for the Nov. 8 election." There also is "talk of the NBA organizing meetings with police agencies and community leaders" (MLIVE.com, 9/25). The Boston Globe's Bob Ryan said it is "inevitable" the protests will spread to other sports, and noted he assumes NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver are in "daily contact" on the matter. ESPN's Jackie MacMullan: "The NBA is so far ahead of this, and this is why I love Adam Silver. He understands, ‘We've got to do this in a unified, dignified fashion, so we can make a statement without it splintering apart our league’” (“The Sports Reporters,” ESPN2, 9/25).

SPREADING TO COLLEGE: In Detroit, Paul & Chengelis noted three Michigan State football players on Saturday "held their fists in the air" during the playing of the Anthem before the game against Wisconsin. A few hours later, at least six Michigan football players "did the same before their game against Penn State" (DETROIT NEWS, 9/25). Also in Detroit, Mark Snyder noted the Michigan players did not "widely discuss the plan with most of their teammates." UM coach Jim Harbaugh "wasn't even aware" until he got to the locker room later (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/25). MSU coach Mark Dantonio: "As long as it's done in a peaceful way, this is America. That's what the flag stands for" (ESPN.com, 9/24). Harbaugh said, "Because I'm the football coach doesn’t mean I can dictate to people what they believe. I support our guys. ... This is something that's not going away" (DETROIT NEWS, 9/25). Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott last week said he very much believes "in the idea of freedom of speech and individuals' right to express themselves." Scott: "I've also always seen sport as a great platform for positive social change" (AP, 9/23). SI.com's Richard Deitsch gave credit to CBS Sports Network for its coverage at the end of the Eastern Michigan-Wyoming on Friday night, as the network "stayed on the air to cover a peaceful protest that happened immediately after the game" (SI.com, 9/25). 

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/09/26/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Protests.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/09/26/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Protests.aspx

CLOSE