Jaguars apologize to local military for anthem demonstration

The Jacksonville Jaguars have apologized to local military leaders for demonstrating during the national anthem in London last month. Jaguars President Mark Lamping sent a letter to the director of military affairs and veterans in Jacksonville saying the team was “remiss in not fully comprehending the effect of the national anthem demonstration on foreign soil has had on the men and women who have or continue to serve our country.” The letter was forwarded to Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry on Monday and available via his public email.

Most of the Jaguars, including owner Shad Khan, locked arms during the anthem on Sept. 24. About a dozen players took a knee during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Wembley Stadium. Similar demonstrations happened across the NFL as players, coaches and executives responded to President Donald Trump’s suggestion that teams should punish players making any sort of statements of protests during the national anthem.

The Jaguars demonstrated in unity as a team and then stood for “God Save The Queen.” “This was an oversight and certainly not intended to send a message that would disparage you, our flag or our nation,” Lamping wrote to Bill Spann, director of Jacksonville’s military affairs and veterans department.

NFL owners are meeting this week in New York, where the national anthem will be a key topic of discussion. Lamping’s letter was dated Oct. 6, and it is unclear why it was forwarded to the mayor Monday. Lamping wrote it on behalf of Khan and Tom Coughlin, the team’s executive vice-president of football operations.

“The notion never entered the minds of our players or anyone affiliated with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but today we can understand how the events in London on September 24 could have been viewed or misinterpreted,” Lamping wrote. “We owe you an apology and hope you will accept it.”