Fans, employees and politicians have "taken sides" regarding the recent NFL protests during the national anthem, putting players, coaches and owners "in a difficult spot," according to a front-page piece by Lindsay Jones of USA TODAY. The question now, with Week 4 beginning today, is "how long should the displays continue, and in what form." Panthers QB Cam Newton said, "It was a popular thing last Sunday. But there’s still an opportunity. We have to be a voice for others that don’t have the voice we have." Jones reports some players are concerned that Trump’s comments, including those made yesterday when he said that the NFL business would "'go to hell' if the league didn’t change its rules regarding protests during the anthem, have obscured the meaning of the protests." Broncos LB Brandon Marshall: "We can’t get lost in what Trump said. We have to try to change the narrative back to what the original message was about." Players believe that the best way to "reclaim that narrative ... is to continue talking about the social issues and backing up their words with action, whether or not they continue to protest." Marshall: "If we all stand and lock arms, I understand that’s showing unity, but I mean, I just don’t see the point in it, me personally." Giants OT Justin Pugh: "I don’t know the right way to do it, I don’t know the wrong way to do it. I just know that guys have a right to say what they want to say" (USA TODAY, 9/28).
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEK: Falcons coach Dan Quinn said that the team will "lock arms during the national anthem and will encourage the fans to do the same before they play the Bills on Sunday." Quinn: "We would encourage our fans to do the same. I think that would be kind of a nice tribute as we’re getting started." Quinn "expects all of the team to stand and participate" (AJC.com, 9/27). Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey said that he is confident the team "will have 100 percent participation of players standing" during the national anthem (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 9/28). Patriots WR Danny Amendola: "From my understanding, I think we’re all going to stand for that. But it’s not Sunday yet" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/28). The 49ers are "planning a team-wide demonstration" before kickoff of Sunday’s visit to the Cardinals (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 9/28). 49ers S Eric Reid said coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch have "expressed that we’re going to do something together as team" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/28). The Ravens will "not reveal whether they intend to kneel, sit down or raise a fist during the playing of the national anthem." Ravens LB C.J. Mosley described the plan as "more of a team approach" (Baltimore SUN, 9/28). The Jaguars will "stand for the anthem, but may continue to lock arms" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 9/28).
JOB ACCOMPLISHED? Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said, "Last week was about making a statement. Moving forward, it’s about making a difference. The players will sense, and the coaches will sense, that we’d really like to focus on football." He added, "We did last week when we had issues to deal with. I think [it will] be different this week. There’s nothing lost in the sincerity of the statements that were made, nothing lost in the willingness to make a difference. But it’s really important for all of us to make sure the games that we play will be played the best they possibly can be played" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 9/28). Chargers coach Anthony Lynn: "Just the fact that we're still talking about this, you know, in my opinion it really gives those divisive remarks legs, power. I just choose to move on and not talk about it. And I know some people don't agree with that, but that's my approach" (ESPN.com, 9/27).
DEFENDING THEIR RIGHT: Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin and DE Michael Bennett last night took part in a CNN town hall discussion social injustice and racial inequality alongside former NFLer Hines Ward, former Green Beret Nate Boyer and Spike Lee, among others. Baldwin said the “sacrifices of many in our country allow us to exercise our First Amendment right," which includes protesting on the field. Baldwin: "That’s vitally important here and that’s really what we’re trying to get across. There’s a message that we want to share with the world, and we think there’s no better opportunity and the … biggest platform that we have" ("Town Hall: Patriotism, the Players & the President," CNN, 9/27).
REACHING A TIPPING POINT? In Pittsburgh, Stephen Nesbitt in a front-page piece writes the NFL is "perilously positioned, standing on shaky footing as it attempts to sell tickets and sell the future of a sport currently cloaked by severe safety concerns." Blowback from protests which took place last weekend "could hurt even more." This could represent a "turning point in America’s long-standing love affair with professional football" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 9/28). FS1's Jason Whitlock said, "These protests are going to damage the league. They need to get a handle on this." He added, "These protests are irritating, they're customer-based and I think they'll have an impact on this league” ("Speak For Yourself," FS1, 9/27). USA TODAY's James Robbins writes, "The NFL is on a politically correct suicide course, alienating fans and wrecking ratings." These protests are "divisive, distracting and pointless." They are a "public relations nightmare that the NFL shows no sign of stopping." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and others want to "preach about free expression, but most fans probably prefer their football free of guilt-tripping toxic politics" (USA TODAY, 9/28).
SURVEY SAYS: YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee notes a recent survey found that when asked if NFL players "should face consequences for kneeling during the national anthem played before games" 44% said yes, while 40% said no. The 44% figure included 15% who "believe the players should be fined," 14% who "believe the players should be cut completely," 11% who "favored suspension and 4 percent who indicated 'other.'" The NBA has an "explicit rule requiring players to stand for the national anthem." When asked whether the NFL should institute a similar rule, 48% of respondents agreed, while 38% said that "such a rule is not necessary." The remainder "did not offer an opinion." The survey was conducted online Tuesday and yesterday by YouGov in association with Yahoo Sports, comprised 1,146 adults and "weighted to represent the entire American population over 18." Forty-five percent of fans have "indicated they will continue to watch NFL games." Another 34% have said that they will "stop watching if protests continue," while 12% have "already stopped watching games" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/27).
