Colin Kaepernick has "agreed to attend a meeting between a coalition of NFL players and owners sometime next week, in which the two sides will continue talks about the league’s engagement in social activism efforts," according to sources cited by Charles Robinson of YAHOO SPORTS. It is the "second time he has been invited to the meetings by members of the players’ coalition, but declined his first invite after confusion about whether the NFL was open to his attendance." This comes in the midst of Kaepernick's grievance against the league for "allegedly conspiring to freeze him out of a job." Sources said that Kaepernick’s attendance has been "pursued by multiple players who believe he is an important voice in their efforts, which have sought to have larger league involvement in a platform promoting racial equality and judicial reform." It "remains to be seen what impact Kaepernick could have with his direct involvement with meetings." A source said that there is an "expectation from the NFL that Kaepernick’s inclusion in talks will draw more attention" from President Trump (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/25). NFL Exec VP/Communications Joe Lockhart said that he "does not know whether Kaepernick plans to attend the meeting." Lockhart: "I expect he will be invited to this meeting. We look forward to him joining the conversation" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/25). NBC Sports Bay Area's Ray Ratto said, "Given the fact that there's a grievance, I wonder if any owners would speak with him, because that would be used in a grievance. I'm not sure what this is actually going to accomplish except it's an interesting optic." NBC Sports Bay Area's Ahmed Fareed: "I don't know what it would change ... if he was there. The players have already expressed what they want to the owners the last time" ("The Happy Hour," NBC Sports Bay Area, 10/25).
A CALL TO COLIN: USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes of all the "voices we’ve heard on the issue of the NFL national anthem protests," Kaepernick's "is the most important." It is "quite clear the players want Kaepernick at next week’s meeting." Brennan: "Most of America wants him there, whatever side of the issue you’re on. His peaceful protest has led us into the important intersection of sports and culture." However, he "might be silenced" due to the pending grievance. Brennan: "He can’t be silenced forever" (USA TODAY, 10/26). ESPN's Katie Nolan noted Kaepernick reportedly has signed a $1M book deal, and she said, "People are always like, 'He hasn't talked! Why isn't he talking?'" Nolan: "Because it's worth $1 million for him to wait a sec and then write it down" ("Jalen & Jacoby," ESPNews, 10/25).
TALK IT OUT: In Buffalo, Jay Skurski reports Bills LB Lorenzo Alexander, who was one of 11 players to kneel during the national anthem prior to a game last month against the Broncos, recently "reached out" to a fan who was "frustrated by the silent protest." Bills season-ticket holder C.J. Long wrote a letter outlining why he "disagreed with the forum which they were choosing to protest." The letter got to Alexander and eventually led to an "hour-long" in-person talk. Alexander "left the conversation feeling like it was productive." Both Long and Alexander said that they "plan to have a followup meeting in the next few weeks to hammer out the details of how best they can bring people in Western New York together" (BUFFALO NEWS, 10/26).
