The Colts, Jets and Washington Football Team are "among the NFL teams not practicing Thursday in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin," according to ESPN.com. The Jets' practice field was set up for the usual start at 9:20am ET, and some staff members were "seen walking the field -- but it was confirmed at 9:24 that practice was canceled." The Colts said they will instead use Thursday "to discuss and work toward making a lasting social impact and inspiring change in our communities." The Cowboys did practice Thursday, but coach Mike McCarthy said that conversations with players "will continue as to what they should do." The Ravens "decided to practice but announced that they will 'come together for a meeting to discuss and work on a plan for continued social justice reform efforts' after practice (ESPN.com, 8/27).
TAKING ACTION: In New Jersey, Andy Vasquez notes some Jets players "were moved to tears Tuesday during a team meeting in which the entire organization tried to process the police shooting of Jacob Blake." Jets assistant head coach Frank Bush said that he was "hopeful after Tuesday's meeting that the Jets can [effect] real change." Bush: "I'm in a situation where ownership gets it, we have team talks about it all the time." Bush said Jets players are "still in the infant stages" of coming up with an action plan, but team Chair & CEO Christopher Johnson and head coach Adam Gase "have been right up front with having team meetings, allowing guys to speak on these situations and also allowing action plans to be put forth" (Bergen RECORD, 8/27).
MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: In New Jersey, Art Stapleton writes the sports world "isn't going to stand" for racial and social injustice and "stay silent for much longer" (Bergen RECORD, 8/27). In N.Y., Steve Serby writes this is a "powder keg time in a divided America, and what we are witnessing here and now is the sports world attempting to draw a line in the Black Lives Matter sand, black athletes sick and tired of being sick and tired, anguished that for so long their voices have not been heard." The difference this time is that they "have been joined in solidarity by white teammates and coaches and executives and owners -- we see you, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell -- who now have more interest in listening to their horrific life stories" (N.Y. POST, 8/27).
PRESSURE GROWING ON GOODELL? YAHOO SPORTS' Terez Paylor wrote the timing of the NBA's protest was "sweet irony," considering Colin Kaepernick's protests "began four years ago to the day." It is "even sweeter because Goodell's recent words may soon put him in position to prove he believes everything he has been saying lately." Yesterday will "have NFL players thinking about what they can do to send a similar message." If NFLers settle on a similar protest, Goodell "better have their backs" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/26).
