The Eagles organization "clearly wants to see if it can move past the controversy" of having its White House invitation rescinded "without ever mentioning" President Trump’s name again, according to Les Bowen of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. The Eagles have "responded to all follow-up questions about the canceled visit by saying they will stick with their statement" made on Monday night. It seems "pretty clear that something dramatic happened on the Eagles’ end Monday, when the guest list shrank." Eagles G Brandon Brooks said that it "wasn’t that the team changed its mind, it was that before Monday, no one was sure who would go, no clear picture evolved until the eve of the visit." Brooks said that he "wasn’t aware of any large contingent of players ever definitely confirming participation." Another player said that "no formal vote was ever taken." No one wanted to "explain exactly how the 'small group' decision was made." Bowen: "One thing is clear: The Eagles, with a host of players who are focused on helping minority communities, and an owner who is said to have called Trump’s presidency 'disastrous' in a meeting with players last year over the national anthem protests Trump has denounced, were never a great fit for such a celebration" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/7). Bowen notes yesterday saw the "largest media contingent for an Eagles June availability in memory -- with more than 75 reporters" and camera persons on hand (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/7).
STAYING OFF THE RADAR: Eagles coach Doug Pederson yesterday tried to dismiss questions about the situation while talking to the media, and NBCSN's Mike Florio said it is the "latest example of the NFL approach" regarding the fight with Trump. Florio: "Do not engage, do not acknowledge, do not confront. ... They continue to try to tip-toe through a minefield without realizing that the mines are going off even if they stand still." NBCSN's Chris Simms said of Pederson, "I would love for him to say Steve Kerr-type things ... but that's not in the nature of a lot of NFL coaches" ("PFT," NBCSN, 6/7).
SIGN LANGUAGE: In Wilmington, Martin Frank notes Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins, long an "outspoken advocate for social reforms, went silent at the team's practice complex." Instead of verbally answering reporters' questions, Jenkins let "several signs do the talking for him." He held them up in "response to questions about the Eagles' canceled White House visit" (Wilmington NEWS JOURNAL, 6/7). In N.Y., Marc Tracy notes one of Jenkins' signs "called for the abolition of cash bail," while another referenced that Colin Kaepernick had donated $1M "to charity." Another sign read, "You aren't listening," which Jenkins "held up more than once in response to reporters' queries" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/7). In Philadelphia, Zach Berman notes the signs were Jenkins’ way of "steering the conversation to substantive issues and not the he-said, she-said of the disinvitation." Jenkins’ words "went beyond the surface more than" Pederson’s comments (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/7). NFL Network's Steve Wyche noted Jenkins was "clearly trying to send a message that the players are not just sticking to sports." He is "once again using his platform ... to talk about what has become political football" ("NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 6/6). NBCSN's Florio called it a "powerful moment" in the locker room. NBCSN's Simms: "I don't think kneeling is going to get the issue done. ... This is where players have to continue to push the envelope" ("PFT," NBCSN, 6/7).
EXPLAINING THE MOVE: Jenkins broke his silence last night, saying, "I'm tired of the narrative being about the anthem, about the White House or whatever. The issues are the issues. And the reason that we're doing any of this is because we have these huge disparities in our criminal justice system; we have this issue of mass incarceration; we have issues of police brutality; our children and access to education and economic advancement is nonexistent in communities of color. And these things are systemic; there are ways that we can change them. And for me, I feel like this is the time to do that. And so, that message can't continue to be ignored. And that's what I think has been happening up until this point." ESPN.com's Tim McManus noted Jenkins and Eagles S Rodney McLeod and DE Chris Long "met with chief public defenders from around the country" after yesterday's practice to "gain knowledge about the bail system" (ESPN.com, 6/6).
HARSH WORDS: USA TODAY's Mike Jones writes with Trump's decision to disinvite the Eagles this week, he "succeeded in a few regards." He further "strengthened his standing in the eyes of those who are willing to gulp down his narrative with little to no concern for the facts." And he further "alienated the portion of the population fighting for equality and reform." He "did not accomplish anything truly meaningful." (USA TODAY, 6/7). In Miami, Greg Cote writes the NFL "should be supporting its players." Instead, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his team owners, who have a "hell of a lot more in common with Trump" than with their own players, "caved in to Trump's misinformation campaign" with the anthem policy (MIAMI HERALD, 6/7).
