Michael Thomas convened the group of players that released a video putting pressure on the leagueGETTY IMAGES
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's impromptu 81-second video clip on Friday night addressing systemic racism in America was a "result of public pressure applied by more than a dozen black players," organized by Saints WR Michael Thomas after "dissatisfaction with the league’s initial statement and prolonged silence," according to Rodrigue & Jones of THE ATHLETIC. Thomas "convened a group of players from across the NFL" to "call out the league in a powerful video released Thursday night on each of the players’ social media platforms." The players "demanded the league recognize the Black Lives Matter movement, admit of wrongdoing in suppressing voices of peaceful protest and condemn racism and systemic oppression." Black employees within the league "collectively led the internal push against the NFL’s initial statement, in internal communications with managers, and during a series of town hall meetings last week, including one attended by Goodell on Friday, shortly before he released his video." Some of those employees are "content creators," including NFL Manager of Social Video Bryndon Minter, who is white. Minter "decided more action was needed, which is why he decided to independently reach out to Thomas about producing a player-focused video." Minter "understood that he could lose his job for helping Thomas." He said, “I was at peace the whole time." By Friday morning, one source said that Goodell had "informed senior staff that he planned to respond" (THEATHLETIC.com, 6/5).
BUBBLING UP: YAHOO SPORTS' Henry Bushnell reported NFL employees last Friday morning "convened via Zoom for a company-wide town hall." NFL Social Media Editor Nick Toney said some had, in the preceding days, been "angry" and "exasperated." Toney: “People were upset. People had prepared statements. ... People asked very direct questions." Bushnell noted Goodell "took those questions, then later in the day took to his basement camera." The "public shift, in reality, began with employee frustration that dates back to 2016." Minter "circumnavigated standard protocol for NFL video producers" by reaching out directly to Thomas. They had "no personal relationship, but Thomas was immediately on board." Thomas "entrusted Minter with drafting a script the players could read on camera" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/6). NBCSPORTS.com's Peter King goes inside the three days that "sparked major shift" in the NFL (6/8).
MARKED SHIFT: In DC, Maske & Kilgore reported Goodell "acted with little input from the owners" in releasing the video. The lack of owner involvement marks a "stunning change from the NFL's approach." A source said that while owners were "taken off guard by Goodell's remarks, most will be supportive, with some possible -- and notable -- exceptions." Maske & Kilgore noted for now, the "reaction of some powerful figures in the league remains unknown." The source said Goodell's video "could lead to an issue" between him and Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, but added it is "very difficult for an owner to go in another direction." The source: "We'll face a backlash, no doubt, from a certain percentage of our fans" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/7).
