Texans Owner Bob McNair "expressed regret" to his players during a meeting with his team yesterday for remarks he made last week seemingly comparing NFLers to inmates in prison. McNair issued a "second statement on the issue, reiterating that he wasn't referring to players." McNair: "I was referring to the relationship between the league office and team owners and how they have been making significant strategic decisions affecting our league without adequate input from ownership over the past few years" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/29).
After McNair's remark came to light publicly, some Texans players reportedly began planning a protest for today's game in Seattle, and ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported OT Duane Brown said that he "anticipates about 65% to 70% of the players, maybe less, will be kneeling today but he said no players will be removing their decals off their helmet” (“Sunday NFL Countdown,” ESPN, 10/29). CBS' Dana Jacobson said, “(Texans CB) Jonathan Joseph actually reminded us this is a team where guys have wanted to kneel previously, but haven't out of respect for Bob McNair. Today it will be in response to Bob McNair, and it will be 100% unified.” ("The NFL Today," CBS, 10/29). Fox' Michael Strahan said of McNair’s comment, “It completely undermines the statement that the league made and the owners made that they stand behind the players. It undermines that and makes it seem as if the statement was said at the time to get through the pressure they were under” (“Fox NFL Sunday,” 10/29).
