Richardson Gives Panthers Players Support To Protest; Newton Lauds Kaepernick

NFL Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson told a group of team captains and leaders that they were "free to join the growing protest movement across the NFL, but warned them there could be a public backlash," according to Joseph Person of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Some players had "feared there could be repercussions if they spoke out on social issues," prompting the meeting at Richardson's home. Richardson "assured his players he would support them if they chose to kneel during the national anthem, stay in the locker room or engage in other demonstrations to protest social injustice and racial inequality." Panthers DE Julius Peppers was the member of the team to protest before Sunday's game. Panthers S Captain Munnerlyn said of Richardson's support, "It was great to hear, coming from your owner." He added that the feeling was that Peppers' standing in the organization "gave him more security than other players in terms of speaking his mind." However, Munnerlyn wondered if the Panthers "might have missed their window" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/28). A CHARLOTTE OBSERVER editorial cartoon shows Richardson dressed as an army general and saluting the American flag while saying, "Politicizing the game is dangerous..." (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/27).

CAM SPEAKS OUT: In Charlotte, Scott Fowler writes Panthers QB Cam Newton yesterday "gave the oddest game-week press conference he has given" during his career. All 15 questions during the 18-minute session were "about the NFL protests -- there was not a single query about the actual upcoming game" against the Patriots -- and Newton's answers to all 15 were "nuanced and thoughtful." Newton also sounded "regretful that he had not joined the NFL-wide protests that hundreds of players did last Sunday." Fowler writes he will be "extremely surprised" if Newton "doesn't do something" prior to the game. Fowler: "I would guess he will share some sort of unification gesture with his teammates at the beginning of the game and then maybe also do something else on his own" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/28). Newton during his press conference said that it was "important not to forget" Colin Kaepernick, who "remains unemployed." Newton: "He's made the ultimate sacrifice and I respect that wholeheartedly. I can't let a moment go by without shedding a light to that" (ESPN.com, 9/27).