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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Saints, Falcons Display Unity In Circle After National Anthem; NBA Players Mull Protests

The Saints and Falcons last night "came together for a display of unity" by joining hands in a circle on the field before their "MNF" game, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. Saints coach Sean Payton and Falcons coach Dan Quinn "figured it was a great way for players to join the growing protests around the NFL against injustice in America while still making it a message about unity, especially with two longtime rival teams from culturally rich cities." ESPN's Lisa Salters reported Payton "reached out" to Quinn with the idea earlier in the week. Saints QB Drew Brees: "It's a serious issue, and we felt like an appropriate way to show our unity and bring attention to that was by making that circle together, everybody lock arms, take a moment of silence, to pray, to be in thought, meditation, whatever you want to do. ... (It was) the way we would like to give attention" (ESPN.com, 9/26). ESPN's Sean McDonough noted Payton and Quinn had their starting QBs -- Brees and the Falcons' Matt Ryan -- "get in touch with each other" during the week. McDonough: "The two teams decided they wanted to be completely respectful to the National Anthem, all the players standing at attention. But now they’re joining hands and getting together for a moment of silent prayer or reflection -- whatever the players choose to do. ... They wanted this to be a sign of unity among these division rivals" ("MNF,” ESPN, 9/26). In New Orleans, Rod Walker writes it was a "fitting way to kick things off" after football "helped unite the city of New Orleans 10 years ago" in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The circle made up of both teams was the first sign of unity "seen between two entire teams in the NFL" since 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick started kneeling during the Anthem (New Orleans ADVOCATE, 9/27).

ROAD TO RECOVERY
: Many NBA teams held their media days yesterday, and the topic of social unrest was discussed, with Hornets coach Steve Clifford saying the organization is "in conversations now about ways that we can help" the city of Charlotte after last week's protests. Clifford: "We've had conversations internally with our players on ways that we can help." ESPN.com's Michael Wright noted NBA players are "required to stand" during the Anthem. Hornets C Spencer Hawes said, "With regards to the anthem stuff, I know that it's in the rulebook that we're not allowed to do that. So I don't think that will be an issue" (ESPN.com, 9/27). Hornets G Kemba Walker said, "We will be pro-active, but it takes time and a lot of effort. We’ll take the effort. We live here. I’ve been here going on six years now. I hate to see these things happen. I want to be a part (of the healing) and I will" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/27). Cavaliers F LeBron James said, "Standing for the national anthem is something I will do. ... You have the right to voice your opinion, stand for your opinion, and [Kaepernick's] doing it in the most peaceful way I've ever seen someone do something." Cavaliers GM David Griffin: "We will talk to our players as a team. I'm very confident that we'll arrive at a place that's pretty inspired because we got a group of guys that are really about the right things" (ESPN.com, 9/26). 

SPEAKING OUT: Raptors President Masai Ujiri yesterday said, "I don’t know if kneeling down for an anthem is the answer, to me if you’re going to do that then you better have backbone and you better go out to your community and you better being doing something to affect social change before you come and do that" (TORONTO SUN, 9/27). Raptors C Jared Sullinger said he does "believe there’s going to be some NBA players that will take a knee" (TORONTO STAR, 9/27). Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, "I’m not going to tell anyone ahead of time, if they don’t do A, B and C, they’re going to be gone, or traded. I think that’s ignorant" (USA TODAY, 9/27). Popovich added, "Race is the elephant in the room in our country. The social situation that we’ve all experienced is absolutely disgusting in a lot of ways" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 9/27). Mavericks F Dirk Nowitzki said, "If we do something we want the whole team to be on the same page." Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said, "We're going to be 100 percent supportive of our guys with whatever they decide to do" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/27). Bulls G Dwyane Wade: "Kaepernick educated a lot of us on things we didn’t know, things we weren’t aware of" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/27). Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander said he wants NBAers to "respect the flag because I’m an American and this country has been so great to me, and I couldn’t (own a team) anyplace else or any other country in the world" (ESPN.com, 9/26). In N.Y., Scott Cacciola notes it is unlikely the NBA "would discipline any players who engage in a silent protest." Knicks F Carmelo Anthony said, "Whatever we do we want to do it as a collective group." Nets G Jeremy Lin said, "I want there to be solidarity, because I don’t want it to be X versus Y, or Group A versus Group B versus Group C or whatever" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/27). 

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