The winds of change are blowing through the NFL, furiously.
Now comes a report from Front Office Sports the league will likely allow players to protest during the national anthem. The nation is seeking change and the NFL apparently is listening intently to the call for unity and equality.
EXCLUSIVE: NFL will likely allow players to demonstrate on-field during the presentation of the American Flag and playing of the U.S. National Anthem this season, sources tell @frntofficesport. https://t.co/DzTScoRnsO
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) June 8, 2020
“We anticipate taking the same approach we’ve taken the last number of years,” the source told Front Office Sports. “No discipline will be enacted. No player has ever been fined.”
The league is working closely with the NFL Players Association on developing the anthem strategy for the upcoming 2020 season.
Of course, while no player has been fined, as the league says, the firestorm created by players taking knees has led to the exile of Colin Kaepernick and other players such as Kenny Stills battling management over his stance and eventually being traded from Miami.
I have @Kaepernick7 phone number if y’all need it! It’s time that he is employed. How long will the @NFL say they are listening and willing to be at the forefront of change but continue to exile him for trying to do the same?! Until he’s signed, let’s call this what it is…PR https://t.co/viC5EpDiPA
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) June 4, 2020
The report follows a video by Commissioner Roger Goodell released Friday that acknowledged the league’s failure when it came to listening to players. Goodell said he encouraged players to speak out and protest peacefully.
We, the NFL, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black People. We, the NFL, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the NFL, believe Black Lives Matter. #InspireChange pic.twitter.com/ENWQP8A0sv
— NFL (@NFL) June 5, 2020
The video led to a barb Sunday from President Donald Trump toward the NFL Commissioner.
Could it be even remotely possible that in Roger Goodell’s rather interesting statement of peace and reconciliation, he was intimating that it would now be O.K. for the players to KNEEL, or not to stand, for the National Anthem, thereby disrespecting our Country & our Flag?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020
It will be fascinating to watch how this plays out on the league and political platforms if players are given the green light to take a knee.