Tag: Peyton Thompson

Former Jag Peyton Thompson says he’s spoken with Doug Marrone since statements on kneeling

Former Jag Peyton Thompson wasn’t impressed by the NFL’s statements on inequality and his voice was heard by his former coach who called him.

In wake of the murdering of George Floyd which was a result of police brutality, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and several NFL teams have released statements to call out racial inequality and send their condolences to the Floyd family. However, it has led to a lot of backlash due to the league’s history with peaceful protesting.

Fans and players have called out the league as a result and among them was  former Jags defensive back Peyton Thompson, who revealed that Doug Marrone and former front office leader Tom Coughlin told players they couldn’t kneel in 2017 during the international series. That seemingly prompted Marrone to reach out to his former player, who was visibly upset about it, and talk things over.

In the end, there were both players who knelt and some who stood in 2017’s game against the Baltimore Ravens in London, but all linked arms including owner Shad Khan to show solidarity. Later, Khan revealed to Sports Illustrated that he wouldn’t personally kneel but would not ostracize those who wanted to because America was about freedom.

“The essence of America is freedom to express yourself,” said Khan. “If somebody does that by kneeling, God bless them. I mean, it’s not something I would do but that would be a personal choice. There shouldn’t be any way to punish, ostracize, or in any way make them feel bad.”

As many are aware Khan became the league’s first ethnic minority owner in the NFL in 2012. A few years later, he was joined by Kim Pegula, the first minority female president/co-owner as her and her husband, Terry Pegula purchased the Buffalo Bills in 2014.

Both franchises can play a big part in helping America with the current racial issues that players are shedding light on. One member from the Jags’ front office, Tony Khan, has already voiced his support for the black community via Twitter and has also shown in his actions by banning those with racist views from his wrestling league known as All Elite Wrestling.

Heading forward, it will be interesting to see how/if Shad and Marrone do to help the league get on better footing with the fans and players on these issues as locker rooms will undoubtedly be affected by what’s going on in America.

Update 11:08 AM ET: Shad Khan released his own statement this morning which highlighted the country’s current issues with racism.

Former Jaguars DB Peyton Thompson says players were told they couldn’t kneel in 2017

Former Jags DB Peyton Thompson wasn’t impressed by Rodger Goodell’s statements on police brutality.

With the recent murdering of George Floyd shaking the nation, many athletes have stepped up to speak about police brutality in African American and minority communities. A few Jags have spoken on the issue, including linebacker Joe Schobert, safety Ronnie Harrison, running back Leonard Fournette, and Jags front office member Tony Khan. 

As commissioner of the biggest sports corporation in the world, Roger Goodell also released a statement on the death of Floyd and the country’s issues with racism.

“The NFL family is greatly saddened by the tragic events across our country,” said Goodell. “The protesters’ reactions to these incidents reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel. Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Mr. George Floyd and to those who have lost loved ones, including the families of Ms. Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, the cousin of Tracy Walker of the Detroit Lions.

“As current events dramatically underscore, there remains much more to do as a country and as a league,” Goodell continued. “These tragedies inform the NFL’s commitment and our ongoing efforts. There remains an urgent need for action. We recognize the power of our platform in communities and as part of the fabric of American society. We embrace that responsibility and are committed to continuing the important work to address these systemic issues together with our players, clubs, and partners.”

As expected, the NFL’s message wasn’t well received by many who recall their history with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started a peaceful movement by kneeling during the national anthem in 2016. The message also didn’t do much for former Jags defensive back Peyton Thompson, who says he recalls former Jags front office executive Tom Coughlin and coach Doug Marrone telling players they couldn’t kneel during their 2017 international game.

Khan spoke on his players expressing themselves by kneeling via Sports Illustrated and said that while he personally wouldn’t do it, he felt that America was all about people being able to express themselves. 

“The essence of America is freedom to express yourself,” said Khan. “If somebody does that by kneeling, God bless them. I mean, it’s not something I would do but that would be a personal choice. There shouldn’t be any way to punish, ostracize, or in any way make them feel bad.”

As Thompson pointed out, there were players on the Jags side who knelt, but all locked arms alongside owner Shad Khan to show solidarity. 

It’s been a week since Floyd’s death, and the former Minneapolis officer charged in Floyd’s death, Derek Chauvin, was just arrested Friday. Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. However, Thomas Lane, J.A. Kueng and Tou Thoa, three officers who were also a part of Floyd’s detainment, have yet to be arrested. As a result, protests have taken place for several nights all over the nation, including in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.