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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Obama Addresses Kaepernick Protest, Calls For All Sides To Listen To One Another

President Obama wants 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick to "think about the pain he's causing military families the next time he takes a knee during the national anthem," according to Nahal Toosi of POLITICO. Obama yesterday during a town hall with members of the armed forces community was asked about protests at sporting events and "defended Kaepernick and others who have joined him in such acts, which many Americans consider offensive." Obama said, "We fight sometimes so that people can do things that we disagree with." However, he also said that people on both sides of the issue "should keep open ears." Obama: "Sometimes out of these controversies, we start getting into a conversation, and I want everybody to listen to each other. So I want Mr. Kaepernick and others who are on a knee, I want them to listen to the pain that that may cause somebody who, for example, had a spouse or a child who was killed in combat, and why it hurts them to see somebody not standing." He added, "I also want people to think about the pain that he may be expressing about somebody who's lost a loved one that they think was unfairly shot" (POLITICO.com, 9/28).

WILL THEY OR WON'T THEY? ESPN's “OTL” yesterday examined what the next round of player protests may look like, with ESPN’s Chris Broussard saying the next incarnation "won't be as shocking as what we saw" with Kaepernick. Broussard said he has "not heard of one" NBA player who is "going to kneel or sit." Broussard: "I would imagine a few who do that but most guys that I’ve been talking with and representatives of them are saying players will stand. Now, as a group or as a team you may see guys link arms together and you may see some raised fists. You may even see both teams circle together as a show of unity and I also think you may see the stars from each team ... address the fans before the first preseason game about the issues that have been going on in our society.” Broussard noted the NBA is "not going to fine guys for kneeling or sitting." He added the league "wants to give the players room to express themselves." Broussard said, “Some players do feel a little bit of pressure to take a stand and do something, but LeBron James is the face of the league, he’s the best player, he’s the leader. Him coming out yesterday saying he's going to stand for the National Anthem, that sets a tone.” But Broussard noted agents, both black and white, are telling players, "Look, stand for the National Anthem, respect the flag but if there's another way you want to make your presence felt or make a statement by all means do that" (“OTL,” ESPN, 9/28).

SPEAKING OUT: In N.Y., Christine Hauser noted Serena Williams in a Facebook post on Tuesday "described how spotting a police officer on the side of the road during her ride with a young black man at the wheel inspired thoughts of life and death." Williams wrote, "I quickly checked to see if he was obliging by the speed limit. I remembered that horrible video of the woman in the car when a cop shot her boyfriend. All of this went through my mind in a matter of seconds. I even regretted not driving myself. I would never forgive myself if something happened to my nephew." Williams "used the weight of her celebrity to convey the despair that has gripped many black Americans." Her post also "highlighted the awareness of black Americans that they are often regarded with suspicion by the authorities during everyday activities." Williams "signed off her Facebook post with the words, 'I Won't Be Silent'" (NYTIMES.com, 9/28).

LET'S CHAT: The AP's Eric Olson noted Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts agreed to meet with Nebraska LB Michael Rose-Ivey, who he "criticized for kneeling during the national anthem" prior to Saturday's game against Northwestern. After Ricketts on his Monday radio show "called the act 'disgraceful' and 'disrespectful,'" Rose-Ivey "tweeted at Ricketts that he would like to discuss the issue with him" (AP, 9/28).

NO BULL: PBR CEO Sean Gleason on a Facebook post said that the tour's riders have taken a pledge to "stand united and without protest during the national anthem of the country in which we are competing" (FACEBOOK.com, 9/28).

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