The NFL’s ongoing controversy about player protests during the national anthem reached a new level Friday when ESPN’s Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr. of a recent meeting between owners and players in New York City.
Per the report, a faction of owners and commissioner Roger Goodell sought to show understanding with the players and proposed initiatives to support their causes and reason for protesting. But another faction of owners remained strongly against kneeling during the anthem, in large part because it affected the league’s bottom line and television ratings.
But the full report from ESPN painted a more disturbing image of owners’ relationship with players and of their view of the situation:
“At one point, Buffalo Bills co-owner Terry Pegula, moved by Anquan Boldin’s story about his cousin being shot and killed by a police officer, complimented him on how impressive he was but kept calling him “Antwan.” Then Pegula suggested that Boldin would be the perfect NFL spokesman on social issues not only because he had walked away from the game to pursue causes but because, the owner said, it couldn’t be a “white owner but needs to be someone who’s black.”
It reached a tipping point when Texans owner Bob McMair compared players to inmates.
“We can’t have the inmates running the prison,” McNair was quoted as saying during the meetings.
Texans players reportedly Friday in the wake of their owner’s comments, but most were persuaded to stay. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, receiver DeAndre Hopkins and running back D’Onta Foreman did not practice because of McNair’s quote.
McNair issued a statement to “apologize to anyone who was offended” by his comments, but the reactions from players across the league — and other leagues — were swift and strong.
Statement from Texans Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert C. McNair:
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR)
Thank God not every inmate is incarcerated by racism and prejudice.
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35)
Eric Reid on owner Bob McNair: “I don’t think you could have picked a poorer choice of words … But welcome to America 2017.”
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch)
I can appreciate ppl being candid. Don’t apologize! You meant what you said. Showing true colors allows ppl to see you for who you are.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25)
I wish more ppl would do that. So the world could ostracize those who don’t want to see EQUALITY. Otherwise they will continue to hide
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25)
Draymond Green issue a strong response to the "inmates" comments made by Bob McNair
(📹: )
— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeague)
What are the repercussions for the owner of the Texans referring to nfl players as inmates
— kyle (@Ky1eLong)
Nah not acceptable. FYI I’ve worked at Walmart, Burger King, delivered newspapers, city clean up, & car washes. Know your role 🤡
— Billy (@snacks)
Nahhh Bob McNair didn’t say that…nah y’all tripping. He couldn’t have. Nope he didn’t. Did that wake some of y’all up now?
— Billy (@snacks)
"Obviously one emotion is to leave the building completely," – on owner Bob McNair comments.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler)
Comments like this one from is part of the problem!!
— Torell Troup (@TorellTroup)
Don't need the apology! needs to talk to Adam Silver & get Bob out of the 32. .
— Takeo Spikes, M.B.A (@TakeoSpikes51)
He gotta go
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush)
https://twitter.com/_RMatthews/status/924010995164606465
Freedom of speech covers players protest and owners words! So please treat them the same! U can say it's different b/c of how it effects u!
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB)
Bob McNair I don’t think he meant his words literally, but for players to think we were anything more to an owner than profit, is silly.
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7)
https://twitter.com/CecilShortsIII/status/923929697620316163
Too late Bob, I ain’t rollin! Hopefully nobody is…even though I’m not a Texans fan, I’m from Houston and this irks me…and millions!
— DeAndre Jordan 🐺 (@DeAndre)
I'm not surprised/shocked/upset by McNair's comments because I already knew owners mostly viewed us commodities. Guess y'all know now.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz)
Seattle MLB Bobby Wagner says of Bob McNair "I wouldn't want to play for a guy like that."
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)
Happy Friday, y’all. Be kind.
Sincerely,
Inmate #63925552
— marshall newhouse (@MNewhouse73)
