Packers players have asked fans to "join them in a show of unity during the national anthem" before their game against the Bears at Lambeau Field tonight, but that has done "little to calm the debate" around players demonstrating during the national anthem, according to a front-page piece by Richard Ryman of the GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE. Packers fans yesterday "continued to blast the NFL, the team and players for what they perceive as showing disrespect for the nation, the flag, the military or the national anthem by sitting, kneeling, remaining in the locker room or locking arms during the national anthem." Packers Dir of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey said, "We’ve had a steady stream of feedback beginning Monday morning and it continued into Wednesday. We’ve heard on both sides of the matter. We take note of their concerns." Popkey said that he is "aware of one share and no season tickets being returned" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 9/28). Meanwhile, ESPN's Michael Wilbon praised the Packers for coming up with the fan unity idea, though he admitted he has "no idea" if it will work. Wilbon: "I don't want this to become a marketing slogan, but I applaud them specifically for having their hearts in the right places." ESPN's Tony Kornheiser: "This has a dinner theater feel to me, that people are going to have a kumbaya moment. They'll link arms, but only because they're Packers fans. ... I don't think they even know what's at the core of the movement” ("PTI," ESPN, 9/27).
INCREASING FRICTION: In Nashville, Jason Wolf reports two Titans players insist fans "threatening to turn their back" on the team "don't come to the game." Titans TE Delanie Walker said, "The fans that don’t want to come to the game? I mean, OK. Bye. I mean, if you feel that’s something, we’re disrespecting you, don’t come to the game. You don’t have to. No one’s telling you to come to the game. It’s your freedom of choice to do that." Titans CB Logan Ryan added, "That’s their choice. That’s the beauty of this country. ... If they don’t want to watch, that’s their choice. That’s perfect" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 9/28). Meanwhile, Tennessee state Sen. Paul Bailey said that he "plans to leave" his seats at Nissan Stadium empty this season in protest to players not standing during the national anthem. He instead said that he will "leave his five 50-yard line seats vacant and donate an amount equal to the tickets' value" to two organizations that aid families of fallen law enforcement officers and provides proper military burials for vets (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 9/28).
QUOTH THE RAVEN, NEVERMORE? In Baltimore, Jeff Barker reports extra security has been "added near the statue" of Ray Lewis outside M&T Bank Stadium after he "joined current players Sunday in kneeling during the national anthem. More than 55,000 people have signed an online petition on change.org to remove the statue (Baltimore SUN, 9/28). The Baltimore SUN's Barker & Marbella in a front-page piece report the Ravens yesterday "postponed a lunch-hour pep rally" scheduled for tomorrow at White Marsh Mall. A reason was not giving for the postponement, but a Ravens spokesperson said, "It was a mutual decision made by both organizations to reschedule the event later in the season" (Baltimore SUN, 9/28).
