The NFL released a statement backing players protesting social issues, including Colin Kaepernick – Business Insider

The NFL on Tuesday released a statement that backing players who have raised awareness about social issues — including Colin Kaepernick, though they didn’t mention his full name.

“The National Football League believes in dialogue, understanding and unity. We embrace the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities,” the statement read.

“The social justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes have raised deserve our attention and action.”

The statement also highlighted some of the charitable work NFL players have done to support different causes. (Read more)

NFL Protests: It’s time to have a REAL conversation about police brutality!

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NFL players hit back over anthem policy — get ready for another political football season

In May, NFL team owners agreed on a new policy to fine teams next season if their players do not stand during the national anthem. The move took many by surprise and was seen as a victory for President Trump, who had spent more than a year publicly criticizing NFL players for kneeling, and the league for allowing them to kneel.

Now the NFL Players Association has filed an official grievance against the policy.

On Tuesday, the NFLPA filed a non-injury grievance on behalf of all players, and said in a statement, “This new policy, imposed by the NFL’s governing body without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights.” (Read more)

Obviously It Is An Issue NFL Anthem Protest

The NFL rule says a player can stay in the locker room while the national anthem is played. However some coaches have taken it upon themselves to tell their players they must come out and stand.

So it is obvious those who have a problem with the players staying in the locker room and kneeling during the anthem is ignant to the facts, in denial or don’t give a damn about others freedom of speech. Oh but the same folk will say it is about freedom.

I am so damn glad I can see, read and comprehend for myself.

Hypocrisy In Sports

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NFL star Malcolm Jenkins reflects on the power of protest as new season looms – News

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The Bell Tolls: Cowboys players apparently unable and unwilling to challenge Jerry Jones’ anthem policy – USA Today

The Gate Keeper: response: But when do the white players stand with the black players and say we are unified and that they support the movement? Damn shame when you have folk like myself out here speaking truth to power broke but these guys got money and scared to take a stand! Damn they may as well be on the damn plantation.

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NFL, NFLPA announce ‘standstill’ on anthem rules after Dolphins report – ESPN

With the Miami Dolphins facing backlash after submitting required paperwork to the NFL that included potential disciplinary measures for player protests during the national anthem, the league has decided to hit pause on its new policy, sources told ESPN.

The league and the NFL Players Association issued a joint statement Thursday that said “no new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks” while both sides continue to hold discussions to figure out how to move forward.

“The NFL and NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a resolution to the anthem issue,” the joint statement said. “In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue, we have come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA’s grievance and on the NFL’s anthem policy.

“The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice. Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation.” (Read more)

Majority of Americans say NFL players who kneel during the anthem are ‘not unpatriotic’ – CNN

Washington (CNN)A majority of Americans, by a 58% to 35% margin, believe NFL players who kneel during the National Anthem in protest are “not unpatriotic,” according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday.

By a 53-to-43% margin, Americans say professional athletes have the right to protest on the playing field, though 51% of voters said they support the NFL’s new policy requiring players to stand.

The poll also found that there was a partisan split, with 70% of Republican voters saying taking a knee was unpatriotic, while only 11% of Democratic voters agreed.

Thursday’s poll was conducted from May 31 to June 5, partially after President Donald Trump announced that . . . (Read more)

At Least One NFL Owner Cleared A Very Low Bar On Anthem Protests – Deadspin

The Watch Dog response: Can’t wait to see how they twist these trues!

“When Colin originally sat, I was taken aback by it,” York said. “I felt like a lot of people who have been negative toward the anthem protest, then I sat down with Colin and I heard where he was coming from … I think his message has been lost, and that’s the disappointing thing in this. His message has been lost in what he’s fighting for, and I think that’s one of the things that really struck me is, the more you sit down with our players and hear what they’re about and what they’re fighting for, it’s really, really hard to disagree with them.” (Deadspin)

NFL: League not seeking mandate for players to stand during anthem

The NFL said on Friday it has no plans to mandate players stand for the U.S. national anthem, but will rather present a possible solution on how to end the controversial protests when it meets with team owners next week.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, along with the head of the NFL Players Association, will meet with the owners from Oct. 17-18 in New York where the issue of player protests during the U.S. national anthem is expected to command much attention.

“(Goodell) has a plan that he is going to present to owners about how to use our platform to both raise awareness and make progress on issues of social justice and equality in this country,” NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said on a conference call.

“What we don’t have is a proposal that changes our policy, we don’t have something that mandates anything. That’s clear. If that was the case I doubt the head of the NFLPA would have put a joint statement out with us.” (MSN Sports)

Rishard Matthews ‘done playing football’ if forced to stand for national anthem – ESPN

The Watch Dog response: If all of the players who feel like Matthews would do that what would the league look like?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews appears to be absolute in his decision to stay inside during the national anthem, saying he is willing to give up his profession rather than being forced to change his protest over social issues.

On Thursday afternoon, Matthews was asked by Matt Parker, a local Nashville producer, via Twitter if he would continue to remain in the locker room during the anthem if the NFL created a rule requiring players to stand or face a penalty.

The NFL and NFL Players Association released a joint statement Wednesday confirming that there has been no change to the policy that recommends, but doesn’t require, players to stand for the anthem. Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith and player leadership will attend league meetings next week to discuss how to progress on social issues and discuss the subject of protesting during the anthem in a larger scale. (ESPN)