The NFL and union reps yesterday continued discussions "about the issues surrounding protests by players during the national anthem," according to Mark Maske of the WASHINGTON POST. Sources said that there remains "no formal plan between the league and players for handling players’ anthem protests moving forward." But the sources added that there has been "some progress made toward an accord on the request made by some player leaders for the league’s support on initiatives related to player activism." Other sources "termed the discussions positive and constructive." A meeting yesterday included NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Giants President & CEO John Mara, Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, Steelers President Art Rooney II, NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith and NFLPA President Eric Winston (WASHINGTON POST, 10/4). In N.Y., Pat Leonard notes Mara yesterday attended his "second NFL meeting in two weeks related to player 'activism.'" Giants LB Mark Herzlich also was "in attendance." Mara and LB Jonathan Casillas had "attended a meeting last Tuesday night at NFL headquarters between 10 owners, eight players from five teams and executive league personnel" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/4).
FORMULATING A PLAN: In Atlanta, D. Orlando Ledbetter reported the Falcons had an "open team discussion on possibly bridging the divide between racial and social injustice." The Falcons, along with Owner Arthur Blank, on Monday met with Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) National Dir of Leadership & Education Programs Andrew Mac Intosh "before the players left for their bye week." The Falcons wanted to "get their thoughts organized and formulate a plan of action possibly through education and community events designed to make a difference" (AJC.com, 10/3).
LET'S GO TO THE POLLS: In Raleigh, Aaron Moody cites a new Elon Univ. poll as showing that most North Carolinians "don't agree" with President Trump that NFLers should be fired for kneeling during the national anthem. A "clear majority" of the poll (63%) "disagreed with the president," while 30% agreed with him. The poll showed that people who are "younger, female, black or from urban areas are more likely to disagree with Trump's stance." Those who are "older, male, white and from rural areas more likely sided with the president" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 10/4).
