Barr fires back at Rodgers
Houston owner offers yet another apology
LONDON — The Minnesota Vikings will play their second game today since Anthony Barr’s hit that broke Aaron Rodgers’ right collarbone, while the Packers take their bye week on Sunday. The feud between the Vikings linebacker and the Packers quarterback, though, doesn’t seem to be going away.
During an appearance on Conan O’Brien this week, Rodgers said his irate response after the hit (which was captured during Fox’s broadcast of the game) was in response to Barr giving him the middle finger and making a lewd gesture toward the quarterback. On Saturday night, Barr posted a message on Twitter disputing Rodgers’ account somewhat. He acknowledged firing back at Rodgers, but said the quarterback was the one who started the exchange.
“Smh this guy got y’all fooled man,” Barr wrote. “After the play, I go back to the huddle, don’t even look or say a word to him. Once he gets up, I’m waiting for the play call, and hear someone shouting all kinds of profanities. I look over and it’s y’all mans calling me all kinds of names, F you this, F you that as he’s walking off the field. So naturally, I responded. I don’t care if you Aaron Rodgers or Mr. Rodgers, if you say something like that you’re gonna get a response from me. I could go on a talk show every weekend and complain about the “disrespectful” things players say or do. If he takes the lick and keeps it pushing we aren’t STILL talking about this. Get over it. (Hashtag) 13 days later”
TV cameras only showed Rodgers’ response, obviously without sound of the exchange, so it seems we’re destined to go around matching one account of the story against another. It remains to be seen if Rodgers can return this season, after having screws put in his collarbone during an operation following the hit, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this month the Packers are holding out hope Rodgers can be back by Week 15.
That timetable would mean Rodgers’ first game at Lambeau Field would be against the Vikings in Week 16. If he’s somehow back on the field by then, the Rodgers-Barr storyline figures to be mentioned a few more times.
TEXANS: Owner Bob McNair has released a second apology and is attempting to explain his comments, a day after a report revealed that he said “we can’t have the inmates running the prison” during a meeting of NFL owners about players who protest by kneeling during the national anthem.
McNair, who first apologized Friday, released a second statement Saturday.
He says he wasn’t referring to the players in what he calls a “very regretful comment.” Instead he says he was “referring to the relationship between the league office and team owners and how they have been making significant strategic decisions affecting our league without adequate input from ownership over the past few years.”
He then apologized to NFL players saying: “I am truly sorry to the players for how this has impacted them and the perception that it has created of me which could not be further from the truth. Our focus going forward, personally and as an organization, will be towards making meaningful progress regarding the social issues that mean so much to our players and our community.”
The comment was published in an ESPN The Magazine story about two recent days of meetings among owners, players and others to discuss the protests that have drawn the ire of President Donald Trump. Players, following the lead of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, say they kneel to protest social injustices, particularly against African-Americans. Trump has sharply criticized the protests and even called on NFL owners to fire players.
The meetings earlier this month did not result in a policy change that would require players to stand for the anthem. Owners and players are expected to meet again next week to discuss initiatives.
BRONCOS: Linebacker Kevin Snyder was promoted to their active roster Saturday with second-leading tackler Todd Davis nursing a high ankle sprain.
Davis is listed as questionable for Monday night when the Broncos (3-3) visit the Kansas City Chiefs (5-2). He missed practice all week.
JAGUARS: Newly acquired defensive tackle Marcell Dareus has passed a physical with the team, completing his trade from the Buffalo Bills.
The Jaguars (4-3) gave the Bills (4-2) a sixth-round pick in the 2018 draft for Dareus, a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
BROWNS: The team evacuated its London hotel for an hour Saturday morning because of a gas leak in the resort’s kitchen. Players, coaches and other personnel were awakened by fire alarms in the Pennyhill Park Resort and Spa at 5:45 a.m. They gathered in their temporary locker room area in the hotel parking lot before returning. The Browns and the Vikings play today at 7:30 a.m. MT (NFL Network).