A group of NFL players met with league executives and team owners on Tuesday to discuss some of the issues surrounding national anthem protests, and numerous reports have indicated that the discussions were very productive.
While no actual conclusion was reached regarding what will be done about anthem protests, Judy Battista of NFL Network was told by a source that the meeting was the “best the communication has ever been between players and owners.” The MMQB’s Albert Breer was given similar information.
League source on meeting: "From league perspective, meeting was positive and represented unprecedented dialogue with the players."
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 17, 2017
Main takeaway: It feels like the league and players are making an effort to push the dialogue here off the anthem and to social causes.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 17, 2017
While there have been rumblings that the NFL is so concerned about losing fans that a rule could be implemented prohibiting national anthem protests, that is not going to happen. Breer said he was told the idea of banning the demonstrations was not even brought up in Tuesday’s meeting.
Players never intended for anthem protests to be interpreted as disrespect for the American flag or U.S. military, and many of them have expressed frustration that the message has been lost. That’s why they would like to find other ways to advocate for social change.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has taken the hardest stance of anyone against anthem protests, but it appears other owners are not following his lead — at least in front of their players.
