The national anthem controversy is only getting more heated as the days roll on. There’s a side which believes they are effectively raising awareness about racial injustice, and a side that believes they are disrespecting our national anthem. Both sides just can’t seem to find common ground.
Today, Houston Texans owner Bob McNair is facing intense backlash after saying “We can’t have the inmates running the prison” during an owners meeting on October 18. As first reported by ESPN The Magazine, it was revealed today that he said these words at an owners meeting, where they met to discuss the ongoing controversy and to decide what direction to take to resolve the issue.
At first, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that all players should stand, but later retracted his comments and said everyone still has the option due to there being no rule enforcing anything.
After heavy scrutiny, McNair issued an apology.
“I regret that I used that expression,” McNair said. “”I never meant to offend anyone and I was not referring to our players. I used a figure of speech that was never intended to be taken literally. I would never characterize our players or our league that way and I apologize to anyone who was offended by it.”
Today, start player DeAndre Hopkins skipped practice after hearing about his owners’ controversial comments. Many other players wanted to walk out as well.
Texans players wanted to walkout today in response to owner Bob McNair’s comments, per @sarahbarshop. Had to be persuaded to stay.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 27, 2017
This is unreal, #Texans players have announced they will sit out Sunday’s game unless owner Bob McNair is outed.
Wow.
— Barry McCockiner (@Sp0rtsTalkJ0e) October 27, 2017
Players seemed to be very upset with their owner, and are now calling for him to step down. Their coach, Bill O’Brien, says he’s 100 percent with his team.
O’Brien on Mr. McNair statement: “It’s been addressed. I’m 100 percent with these players.”
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 27, 2017
Several big-name athletes have commented on the matter, trying to persuade the players to revolt against their owner.
SMH! Him and Donald Sterling must be really good friends https://t.co/MqSr6KCXyn
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) October 27, 2017
I wish more ppl would do that. So the world could ostracize those who don’t want to see EQUALITY. Otherwise they will continue to hide
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) October 27, 2017
NFL owners are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday to discuss future plans relating to the matter. It will be interesting to see if the Texans to boycott the game on Sunday, like they are threatening to currently do.
What do you think about the owner’s comments? Should the team boycott? Let us know.
— PJ Amirata
