LIONS: Tackling Trump topics is emotional, thorny for American players
African-American players in CFL take a balanced approach when it comes to tackling Trump
While he was playing defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles in the late ’70s, Lem Burnham completed his master’s degree in psychology, retired from the NFL, then completed his PhD in psychology at Temple.
Two years later, he became the team psychologist for the Eagles and eventually took on the same position with the 76ers and Baltimore Orioles. In the early ’90s, he went to work for the NFL and was instrumental in creating the rookie symposium, a program that helps first-year players make the transition to life in The Show.
You have to admit, dude has an interesting resume.
But long before his football and academic career, Burnham served in the United States Marine Corps. While with the Corps, he spent 13 months in Vietnam where he was awarded seven medals, including the Presidential Unit Citation for, “gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions.”
Burnham’s son, Bryan, plays for the B.C. Lions. On Wednesday he was asked about his father’s opinion on the latest controversy involving Donald Trump, his idea of patriotism and athletes who don’t share the president’s views.
“I see where the other side is coming from,” Burnham said as the Lions broke training camp in Kamloops. “It’s an emotional issue. My dad fought in Vietnam and he has the utmost respect for the flag, but he understands where the protesters are coming from.
“They’re not doing it to bash the troops. They’ve said that repeatedly. They’re doing it because they believe there is injustice in their country and that’s their platform.”
Which is a balanced and reasoned response to this issue. The problem is balance and reason are in short supply in Trump’s polarized America these days.
As you must know by now, the White House and the Philadelphia Eagles became entangled in another uniquely Trumpian squabble over the Super Bowl champion’s visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The majority of the Eagles, it seems, wanted no part of Trump, the photo op or the message it sent.
The team was going to send a skeleton crew of about 10, a snub that immediately caused Trump to cancel the event while claiming the incident was yet another sign of disrespect for the flag.
With the blood now in the water, LeBron James and Steph Curry — who both have their own interesting history with POTUS — chimed in. And we now find ourselves in a familiar place with two sides screeching at each other, no one listening and the gulf growing wider.
But it makes for good copy. LeBron: “It’s typical of him. I’m not surprised. I mean, no matter who wins (the NBA
Final) no one wants the invite anyway.”
Golden State coach Steve Kerr: “The president has made it pretty clear he’s going to try to divide all of us in this country for political gain.”
Philly Mayor Jim Kenney: “(It) only proves that our president is not a true patriot but a fragile egomaniac.”
Feel the love.
Vitriol aside, this latest heyrube underscores some profoundly serious issues in the America of 2018, issues that directly impact the Lions’ African-American players. All have family in the U.S. Most return there in the off-season. And most have an opinion about Trump’s presidency,
even if they’re guarded about expressing opinions.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on I don’t agree with but I can’t stop it,” said Odell Willis, before adding, “Those type of athletes (James and Curry) have a bigger platform to express their feelings and I think that’s great. We have the First Amendment. You’re supposed to have freedom of speech.”
Solomon Elimimian, who was raised in south-central Los Angeles and now splits his time between Canada and the U.S., echoed that thought.
“I don’t want to get into it, but it’s important to use that platform,” said the Lions’ linebacker. “There are a lot of people who don’t have voices. Then you look at LeBron, a multimillion-dollar athlete, and he speaks for those people.”
Elimimian is asked if things have changed since Trump became president.
“That’s a hard question,” he said. “I think a lot of guys will tell you being in Canada is different.
The environment is different. The culture is different. America has a deep history when it comes to race. It’s a different vibe here.”
Second-year Lion Tyler Davis elected to spend his off-season in Vancouver rather than return to his hometown of St. Louis. In an article that appeared on the Lions’ website a couple months ago, Davis said: “(St. Louis) is not a very good place for someone of my demographic.”
On Wednesday he walked that back. But not too far.
“There was really nothing for me to go back to in St. Louis,” said the wide receiver. “I grew up there. I’ve seen it. Growing up between St. Louis and Oakland (Davis’s father Clarence played for the Raiders) neither one was that great.
“Being up here I can see other things and do other things.”
Burnham, meanwhile, spent most of his off-season in
Tulsa where he met his wife Aubrey while going to university.
“(Oklahoma) is a red state for sure, but I haven’t noticed stuff just walking around,” he said. “Where I do notice it is on social media where people say things they wouldn’t say in person.”
We’ve kind of noticed the same thing.
“They draw this line where if you don’t stand for the national anthem you have no respect for the Armed Forces,” Burnham continued. “It’s not about that at all and that’s not why they’re doing it.
“I really believe what they’re saying isn’t political at all. They just believe the guy who’s in the White House isn’t doing the right thing when it comes to social justice.”
So says the son of a Marine Corps veteran who loves his country.