The 49ers and CEO Jed York have "helped to fund the new San Jose State Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change, which will look at issues such as athlete activism" and actions like QB Colin Kaepernick's kneeling during the national anthem, according to Ann Killion of the S.F. CHRONICLE. York on Tuesday at a town hall meeting called "From Protest to Progress: Next Steps" was "front and center in the audience." His funding was "largely responsible for the success of the panel," as he "covered the travel, lodging and expenses for the heavy hitters involved." Those included Pro Fooball HOFer Jim Brown, Basketball HOFer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lions WR Anquan Boldin, former NFLer Takeo Spikes, TNT's Chris Webber and U.S. Gold Medal-winning runner Tommie Smith. 49ers President Al Guido is on the institute’s advisory board. York’s involvement was also a way of "honoring the 49ers’ long relationship" with consultant Dr. Harry Edwards, who organized the event. Edwards was "brought into the 49ers’ fold as a consultant" by Bill Walsh in the '80s and "maintains that role today" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/26).
WILING TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION: The AP's Janie McCauley noted Boldin would "welcome and appreciate the chance to sit down with new President Donald Trump and discuss concerns for minorities." Boldin: "In order for us to be successful, at some point, we have to come together. You might not like the other person or you might not like what they stand for or whatever it is. We have a trip planned to DC this coming spring, and I was asked the question, ‘If you were invited to the White House, would you meet with President Trump?’ My answer was yes" (AP, 1/25).
