The NFL last weekend "attempted to become a nationwide symbol of harmony" with its promotion of unity, but sports fans have "never seemed more divided," according to Bill Plaschke of the L.A. TIMES. What happened during this "landmark melding of society and sports" following President Trump's comments regarding the national anthem "didn’t bring us closer together, it tore us further apart." Trump "drove his latest wedge into the heart of a sports world that is most comfortable staying out of such arguments" (L.A. TIMES, 9/27).
COMBATIVE ATMOSPHERE: In Nashville, Autumn Allison noted Titans fans' reactions were "mixed" to the team's protests during the anthem, but a "certain few were adamantly against the decision not only by the Titans, but the NFL as a whole." Many took to social media to "share their displeasure with memes, full-fledged opinion posts or in some cases to share the real world action they took" (TENNESSEAN.com, 9/26). In Tampa, Greg Auman writes under the header, "Bucs Fans' Online Hate Hits Another Level As Players Kneel." Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy understands fans' "disappointment and frustration after Sunday's loss," which featured a "politically charged atmosphere" with several players protesting. However, McCoy said that "some crossed a line in making personal attacks." He went so far as to "invite them to One Buc Place to lodge their complaints with him face to face" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 9/27). Meanwhile, more than 25,000 people "have signed an online petition to remove the statue of Ray Lewis from outside M&T Bank Stadium after he joined current players in taking a knee during the national anthem before Sunday’s game" (BALTIMORE.CBSLOCAL.com, 9/26).
MORE POSITIVE THAN NEGATIVE: Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin said the reaction he has heard since Sunday has been "mostly positive for the most part." He said, "Obviously there are those who have their varying viewpoints and beliefs, which we obviously respect. ... But I would just say the overall response that we have gotten from people on the Seahawks’ social media, our websites, the letters that we have received, the comments that we have received, all of the e-mails that I have received, it’s been a lot of positive." He added that he has "'no idea' if the team will continue to stay in the locker room for future games or make any other teamwide statements or actions during the anthem" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/27).
WHO'S REALLY WINNING? USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes under the header, "NFL Is Winning In Fight Against President Trump." Brennan: "Trump can spin this any which way he wants as he whiles away the hours on Twitter, but this time he has met his match. He has picked on people who have a megaphone as large as he does. He has gone after athletes with massive Twitter followings, with microphones in their faces and with devoted fans from red states as well as blue" (USA TODAY, 9/27). However, in DC, Cheryl Chumley writes, "Soon enough, fans -- not spoiled players -- will win this political brouhaha." It is "only a matter of time." NFL players seem to be "gearing for more political displays, not less." Look for viewers to "flip the off switch on games -- look for sponsors and advertisers to be increasingly pressured to take a public side." Money, in the end, will "dictate the future of on-field player protests" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/27).
