NFL to Trump:
DROP DEAD!
In all honesty, there is no other way to interpret this decision from the owners of the professional football teams:
The N.F.L. for now will continue to let players kneel or sit during the national anthem without a penalty, capitulating to demands by the athletes for free expression but potentially further alienating fans who object to the protests and feel they are disrespectful to the flag and the military.
But, after a meeting Tuesday with union representatives and players, the league did promise to help support some of the causes targeted by the protesting players, including reform of the criminal justice system.
The owners’ decision to not toughen the league’s stance on anthem demonstrations showed yet again the contortions they have been going through to display support for their players while wrestling with the political fallout of the sideline protests that have persisted since last season.
While NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell did not mention that the protests have their root in the horrific killing of black kids and teenagers by police officers who are at very least overzealous, he took away Trump’s false assertion that the players are “insulting” the flag or American troops by focusing on a key underlying issue behind the specific incidents being protested:
“We spent today talking about the issues that our players have been trying to bring attention to. About issues in our communities to make our communities better,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters. …
“Today’s discussion with our players was very productive and very important. It reflected our commitment to work together with our players on issues of social justice,” said Goodell.
“Our players are men of great character. They have a very deep understanding and tremendous knowledge of the issues that are going on in all of our communities, and their commitment to addressing these issues is really admirable.”
Prepare for Wednesday rage-tweets from Trump!
