NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin on Saturday "for about 70 minutes," part of the league's strategy to "get the players to believe the owners and Goodell are sincere about helping players spread their message," according to Peter King of THE MMQB. It is a "kind of equal partnership the owners and players haven’t had" that is "going to take time." Baldwin said, "For me, the conversation with the commissioner was to find out about the genuineness of the league. I know Roger has a good heart. I believe he has the best of intentions. We didn’t really talk about anything but ourselves -- where each other was coming from. This was a conversation for each of us to learn about what was important to the other. It was two men trying to get to know each other better." He added, "This was the first time I’ve gotten a chance to sit down and talk to him. I’m optimistic that we’re on the same page -- wanting to do the right thing for the right reasons in society." King notes the players "want a say, and Goodell seems intent on acceding to their wishes." Goodell is "smart to not press the anthem issue now, particularly with so few players demonstrating" (SI.com, 10/23). In Tacoma, Gregg Bell writes Baldwin "looked and sounded satisfied and indeed appreciative at the Goodell’s interest" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 10/23).
TIGHT COVERAGE: Redskins CB Josh Norman was part of the contingent that met with NFL owners last week to discuss social issues related to the players’ protests during the national anthem, and he said that he "plans to attend a follow-up meeting that’s expected to occur within the next two weeks." Norman said that he "attended to hear out the owners, see whether changes could be made, if any, and to back his fellow players." Norman: "We’re here, and we want to see what’s going on because if you wanna make a rule or make some change, I want to be part of something like that. ... I wanna know what’s going on. I wanna be in the know because if anybody makes a rule that I don’t think is right, I need to voice my opinion just as much as you voice your opinion on it." He added, "We’ve got another meeting coming up. So far, I guess, so good until something comes out of it" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/21).
AN UNBREAKABLE BOND? In N.Y., Gary Myers noted President Trump's initial comments regarding the national anthem on Sept. 22 prompted "unprecedented cooperation between the owners and the players with some owners joining the players on the sideline for the anthem." Myers: "If all goes well, I think this will carry over into a spirit of cooperation when CBA negotiations commence." In the last few weeks, there has been "multiple meetings between owners and players at the NFL offices on Park Avenue to devise strategies for the social issues that are so important to many African-American players." The consensus was the discussion and the joint projects has "created a strong appreciation for one another" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/22).
