A survey showed the number of Americans supporting player protests nearly doubled since '16GETTY IMAGES
A new poll has found that a "significantly larger number of Americans are now fine with NFL sideline protests, compared to 2016 when they first entered the public discussion," according to Jay Busbee of YAHOO SPORTS. In the wake of recent nationwide protests, 52% of respondents "now agree that it is 'OK for NFL players to kneel during the national anthem to protest police killings of African Americans.'" That is up from 28% of respondents to a '16 poll that considered Colin Kaepernick's actions "appropriate." Both male and female respondents agreed it was OK to kneel during the anthem by a "margin of 52 percent to 37 percent (male) and 52 percent to 34 percent (female)." The poll of 1,570 Americans was conducted June 9-10 (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/11).
SOLIDARITY: In Nashville, Erik Bacharach notes the Titans are in "full support of their players kneeling during the national anthem or participating in any other peaceful protests." That much is "clear" after conference calls with coach Mike Vrabel and GM Jon Robinson, and a statement released on Thursday by Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk. Whether Titans players "do take a knee" during the '20 season has yet to be decided, but if they do, they will "have the organization's backing." Robinson began his conference call with a "nearly-five minute opening thought on social injustice, police brutality and racism." Robinson said that he has had "several personal discussions with Titans players and staff members, 'all of which have been extremely educational for me'" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 6/12). Vrabel said he could not speculate on what the Titans might do prior to games, but he said, "We need to focus what we can do now as we lead up to that to continue to promote change." Vrabel: "Our players have been told, and understand, that we will have their support and they have our support as they work through making that change” (“NFL Live,” ESPN, 6/11).
EXPANDING EFFORTS: In Atlanta, D. Orlando Ledbetter notes in the wake of the Kaepernick protests of '16, the Falcons "started a social-justice program." Over the past two seasons, they have been in the community "doing work based on their discussions in the locker room and team meetings," and now, the Falcons' "already encompassing social-justice program is set for expansion." Team President Rich McKay "believes social-justice programs are necessary." Ledbetter notes Falcons QB Matt Ryan is "raising money to help 'Advancing the Lives' -- ATL -- of the Black Community' with $500,000 of his own money." Ryan "hopes to raise" $2M. While the Falcons have done work in the community, most of the players "locked arms on the sideline during the national anthem" in the '17 season. Falcons coach Dan Quinn "likely will let players decide in unison" on kneeling during the national anthem (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 6/12).
