The continuing debate over whether NFL players should or should not stand for the national anthem is "perhaps the most explosive issue facing the NFL, which celebrates patriotism and military service like no other league," according to Ken Belson of the N.Y. TIMES. The anthem-kneeling that Colin Kaepernick inspired has "divided fans like few other issues and has shown signs of chipping away at the league’s bottom line." As the controversy "continues into its second year, more fans who look to sports for a diversion from politics could turn away as the season progresses" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/24). Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said of Kaepernick, "The difference between Michael Bennett and all of the others who are protesting and are gainfully employed -- they didn’t start it. And I continue to believe that’s why Kaepernick is bearing the brunt of it. He is the guy who allowed all of the players to wake up to the power that they have in that moment during the anthem, that they can use that platform and co-op that platform" ("PFT," NBCSN, 8/24).
MOVING THE NEEDLE: A Yahoo Sports roundtable addressed where the anthem story goes from here. Shalise Manza-Young: "We’ll continue to see more and more players protest, particularly now that we’ve seen white players starting to join their black teammates." She added, "The biggest step will be if one of the NFL’s white superstars -- Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, JJ Watt -- starts to take part as well. But then what? How do we actively engage in conversation beyond the angry ones over the method of protest and start talking about why Colin Kaepernick started protesting in the first place?" Anthony Sulla-Heffinger: "I’m not sure anything will change until an NFL owner or the league itself makes a statement in support of the right to protest. How powerful would it be if a respected league figure like John Mara or the Rooney family spoke in favor of players’ protests?" Frank Schwab: "I wonder if the NFL will eventually force players to stand. This is the NFL we're talking about; they tell players how to wear their socks and fine them if they don’t comply." Jay Busbee: "Someone's going to have to lose some face over this. Either the players are going to get bullied into standing, which seems an unwise position for the NFL to take, or the NFL itself is going to have to admit that there's a world outside of the stadium" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/23).
AROUND THE LEAGUE: In Cleveland, Tom Reed reports a Browns spokesperson confirmed the organization has "received angry phone calls in regards" to the group of players that demonstrated during a preseason game earlier this week. Browns LB Christian Kirksey, who was one of five Browns that stood with the kneeling group with a hand on a teammate’s shoulder, "insists" the demonstration was "not meant to disrespect military members and those who have served the country." He said, "We were just acting on our beliefs. A lot of eyes are on athletes. It’s a great time to speak for others who can’t speak or don’t have a voice" (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/24). NFL.com's James Palmer reported Broncos LB Brandon Marshall "might be protesting again this season and could have several teammates joining him." Marshall: "I'm thinking about it. And I think some guys are thinking about it, as well." Marshall "took a knee last season to raise awareness about social injustice," but ended his protest in Week 9 (NFL.com, 8/23). Broncos coach Vance Joseph said that he has "not broached the subject with his players." Joseph: "I believe in the anthem, and it’s special on game day to stand, so that’s me personally. But our players, they’re grown men. I respect the fact they have their freedom to protest" (DENVER POST, 8/24). In Tampa, Rick Stroud reports Buccaneers players will be "allowed to express themselves during the anthem however they choose." Bucs coach Dirk Koetter "used about 20 minutes of a team meeting Tuesday to discuss the social injustice that has led to these protests." Bucs CB Vernon Hargreaves said, "He let us know how he felt, and then he opened up the whole team room to anyone who had anything to say." Bucs DT Gerald McCoy said that a "larger discussion spilled over into the locker room" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/24).
ACCEPT IT AND MOVE ON: In Dallas, Tim Cowlishaw writes it is in every NFL owner's self-interest to "acknowledge and accept the right to protest." The "stronger stand one takes, the harder it is to back off when a player chooses to speak out." It is people with "money (and power) who need to be at the forefront of any protest or discussion." At the same time, players "need to get the fact that protests will always be permissible in this great country." Cowlishaw: "They will seldom, if ever, be popular" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/24).
