Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard, quarterback Ryan Tannehill and inside linebacker Rashaan Evans all held Zoom calls with the media on Wednesday. Here are some of the most important topics they touched on.
On kneeling for the national anthem
When asked if he and his teammates will kneel for the national anthem this year, Byard said he hasn’t thought much about it yet, but the Titans will certainly have a conversation about it and decide as a team.
Kevin Byard on kneeling for anthem: Honestly I haven't given any thought to it. The conversation has shifted a little bit about the protesting and the racial injustice. I feel like we'll make a decision as a team.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) June 10, 2020
On Black Lives Matter and Ryan Tannehill’s support
Byard addressed the Black Lives Matter movement and said he respects quarterback Ryan Tannehill for the support he has shown for it.
#Titans S Kevin Byard said "it's kind of crazy to me as a black man to be asked about Black Lives Matter. … Do I really have to be asked about whether my life matters or my family?"
KB said he hasn't' given any thought to whether he'll kneel during the anthem or not.
— Erik Bacharach (@ErikBacharach) June 10, 2020
"At the end of the day my heart goes out to everyone." – Byard https://t.co/Ua3puOMJoS
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) June 10, 2020
.@KB31_Era on @ryantannehill1 and his support for BLM: I respect him to the fullest. Said he doesn't look at race, and when he thinks of Ryan he thinks of how well he's always treated him and his family. "Ryan Tannehill is a great guy and the entire team respects him" @Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) June 10, 2020
.@KB31_Era: All the conversations we've had as a team on BLM have helped with education on topic. Asks for empathy, and thinks it will help@Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) June 10, 2020
Kevin Byard on current social injustice issues: I hope and pray that one day while I’m raising my daughter and I have conversations with her about police brutality or just being black in America, that conversation is better than the one we're having right now.#Titans
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) June 10, 2020
On Roger Goodell and the NFL’s statement
Shortly after several NFL players recorded a video in the wake of the death of George Floyd, Roger Goodell and the NFL released a statement, which is something that Byard agreed with. He wouldn’t say if Goodell was right or wrong in regard to his opposition to anthem protests.
Byard: I feel like NFL should have made statement for sure, but I'm not going to look at Roger Goodell and say is he wrong or right. There are things that need to be changed in the country. Let's change fundamentals and principles in this country. That will make for better change
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) June 10, 2020
On Mike Vrabel’s involvement in the defense
One of the biggest question marks for the Titans in 2020 is if Vrabel will be calling plays for the defense. Well, Byard didn’t give us any indication either way, as he says Vrabel has been just as involved in the defense as he was in past years.
#Titans' Byard: Vrabel just as involved in defensive meetings as he was before retirement of Pees. Not more, not less.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) June 10, 2020
On buying his mom a new house
Byard, who bought a new house for his mom last month, called it “one of the biggest milestones I’ve accomplished it my career, for sure…”
Byard on buying a house for his mom: Probably one of the biggest milestones I've accomplished in my career, for sure… something I thought about doing but never thought it'd be possible. https://t.co/AFhMzfxKS3
— Erik Bacharach (@ErikBacharach) June 10, 2020
On working out with teammates
The safety says he has been working out with several teammates during the quarantine and has been holding Zoom calls with them, also.
#Titans' Byard: Says he's been working out with teammates including Tye Smith, Kenneth Durden, Malcolm Butler, Kareem Orr.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) June 10, 2020
.@KB31_Era continues to work with @JasonSpray to get ready for the @Titans season. He's also taking part in Zoom calls with teammates
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) June 10, 2020
On Leadership
The Titans are going to need Byard to step up as a leader in 2020 with some key veterans no longer on the team. The safety says he plans on holding guys accountable and will continue growing as a leader during the offseason.
Kevin Byard on being a leader: I just want to continue to hold guys accountable. That was a big thing for me in OTAs was to continue my leadership.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) June 10, 2020
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