NFL players and owners meet to discuss protests and social activism
In advance of the annual Fall Owners Meetings in New York, a special joint session of players and owners regarding protesting and social activism is underway.
Select players and owners are meeting to discuss how both sides can work together to create positive change on issues ranging from police brutality to rehabilitation for the incarcerated. Colin Kaepernick began protesting societal injustice during the national anthem last fall and a plethora of players have continued to take a knee, sit or raise a fist, even as Kaepernick remains unemployed. The climate surrounding the national anthem has become more heated in recent weeks as President Trump called for protesting players to be fired and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones subsequently said he would bench any player who does not stand for the flag.
As controversy continues to blaze, the league is desperate for an amicable solution. Players are hoping to get the platform that has been missing for so many years. In a positive step, the NFL announced this morning that Commissioner Roger Goodell and Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin sent a joint letter to the Senate Judiciary offering full support for the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017
Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin Jr. and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell send this letter to Senate Judiciary Committee: pic.twitter.com/CkfZdlYqzm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 17, 2017
The following players are in attendance at today’s meeting:
Anguan Boldin, Darius Butler, Eric Reid, Russell Okung, Kenny Stills, Julius Thomas, Michael Thomas, Mark Herzlich, Kevin Beachum, Demario Davis, Malcolm Jenkins, Chris Long and Eric Reid..
The following owners are in attendance:
Michael Bidwell, Arthur Blank, Terry Pegula, Robert McNair, Shad Khan, Stephen Ross, Robert Kraft, john Mara, Art Rooney, Jeffrey Lurie, Jed York.
The meetings are being held as a significant protesters await outside.
— Jacob Feldman (@JacobFeldman4) October 17, 2017
