Albuquerque Journal

Anthem will be huge part of NFL owners’ meetings this week

- JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRES

ORLANDO, Fla. — The national anthem is going to be a hot topic at the NFL owners meetings this week. Just don’t expect any farranging decisions to be made.

Judging by the comments Sunday from the Texans’ Robert McNair and the Jets’ Christophe­r Johnson, the debate among the 32 owners could be confrontat­ional.

McNair remains adamant that everyone should stand for the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“Our playing field is not the place for political statements, not the place for religious statements,” McNair said.

Johnson, acting owner of the Jets, took a far different tack.

“I just think that trying to forcibly get the players to shut up is a fantastica­lly bad idea,” he said.

SUH REMAINS FREE: Johnson on Sunday said free agent Ndamukong Suh won’t become a Jet. He said the team has rescinded its offer to the free agent defensive tackle.

PRYOR SIGNS: Former Washington wide receiver Terrelle Pryor signed with the Jets after one disappoint­ing season with the Redskins.

BECKHAM: New York Giants owner John Mara on Sunday expressed his disappoint­ment in controvers­ial star receiver Odell Beckham, Jr.

Mara said he is not angry with Beckham, who recently was seen in a video in bed with a woman and what appeared to be white powder.

“We certainly are not shopping him. (But) I can’t say anyone is untouchabl­e,” Mara said.

BROWNS: Cleveland has agreed to a two-year contact with free agent quarterbac­k Drew Stanton.

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