McNair misses the point on national anthem protest

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair just doesn’t get it.

During a confidential NFL meeting, according to the New York Times, McNair attempted to persuade players to tell their colleagues to stop the peaceful protest of the national anthem — a peaceful protest that was started to raise awareness of racial inequality and police brutality.

“You fellas need to ask your compadres, fellas, stop that other business, let’s go out and do something that really produces positive results, and we’ll help you,” McNair said.

This comment comes after McNair apologized and then took back his apology for comparing players to “inmates running the prison.”

McNair must believe that he can play both sides to broker deep divisions on this controversial issue. There’s just one problem. A middle ground is only possible when you have two respectable sides with two respectable opinions. This national anthem debate is not one of those situations.

There is one side that has decided to use its platform to bring attention to a social cause. The protesters have been direct and clear about their purpose. This protest is about police brutality and issues dealing with racial inequality.

The protest is not about showing disrespect toward the military or the country. Colin Kaepernick even modified his original protest to show respect for the flag by taking an honorable knee instead of sitting down.

The folks on the other side continue to dilute these facts. One side says: “Hey, we are protesting police brutality and racial injustice.” The other side says: “No you are not! You are protesting America, the military, the flag and Trump.”

Police brutality and racial justice issues have been at the forefront of the minds of African-American families and many NFL players. These issues have been magnified in the last decade starting with the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Eric Gardner, Sandra Bland, Laquan McDonald, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and most recently Stephon Clark.

Yet McNair insists that, as the New York Times reports, “You fellas need to ask your compadres, fellas, stop that other business.”

The protesters are taking part in that “other business” because our lives are basically on the line.

I remember sitting in my living room with my dad and brother watching the George Zimmerman verdict. This situation grabbed my attention because Trayvon Martin and I were the same age. When I looked at his picture, I saw someone who could be a brother, classmate or friend. At the same time, I realized that half the country saw a thug, hoodlum and troublemaker whose life was dispensable.

After being filled with so much pride and confidence after the election of President Barack Obama, Zimmerman’s verdict forced an entire generation of youth to recognize the notion of a post-racial society was all a lie.

When I look at Trayvon’s picture today, I no longer see a friend. I see a child — a child who should now be grown and possibly wearing a cap and gown. A child who could now be getting ready to start a family. A child who could now be getting ready to join the military, become a firefighter or maybe a teacher.

Today I see a child who could be donning a Texans jersey to cheer on the team — or maybe even play for them.

We will never know what Trayvon would have done with his life, and “that other business” matters because there are thousands of Trayvon Martins in Houston right now. There are thousands of Sandra Blands in this city, and yes, there are a bunch Stephon Clarks on your payroll suiting up at NRG every Sunday.

McNair finished his statement by saying, “Let’s go out and do something that really produces positive results, and we’ll help you.”

The condescending tone of this comment is beyond frustrating. He ignores the work Kaepernick and others are already doing right now — work that is already producing positive results.

McNair is saying, if you get your people to stop causing us owners trouble, then we might decide to help.

Here is the truth: A new day is on the horizon. Change is coming, and Houston will need to be that shining city leading the way.

If McNair isn’t ready to lead or follow, then he should just get out of the way.