There was a ton of anticipation as NFL owners, players and executives met Tuesday in New York.
Would the league force players to stand for the U.S. national anthem? Would it suspend players who broke that rule? What would the two sides agree to do?
After meeting behind closed doors for hours, the NFL and NFL Players Association released a joint statement, saying they had a “productive meeting focused on how we can work together to promote positive social change and address inequalities in our community.”
Both sides also “pledged to meet again.”
So, in essence, come Thursday night when the Chiefs and Raiders renew their rivalry in Oakland we will likely still see some players take a knee during the Star Spangled Banner.
I offered a suggestion last week that the NFL should just scrap the playing of the U.S. national anthem altogether. Wishful thinking on my part.
The players, I think, have made their point. We are talking more openly about social justice issues — at least I’d like to think so.
Whatever the NFL and Players Association decide to do “to promote positive social change and address inequalities in our community,” I’m sure it will be a fine strategy, but the problem is, there’s no magic formula.
Comments