ESPN won’t show anthem on Monday game telecasts
ESPN said Friday that it would not show the national anthem before the “Monday Night Football” games it broadcasts this season, even as the debate over player protests continues.
Though the NFL has been criticized by President Donald Trump, sponsors and fans for not penalizing players who kneel during the anthem, Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN’s president, told reporters the league did not pressure the network. Pitaro said the NFL was informed of the decision as a courtesy.
This was consistent with how ESPN handled similar situations in prior years, he said.
The anthem has become a flashpoint in the two seasons since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling to shine a light on police brutality and other forms of social injustice. The issue triggered a national debate, with some fans and the president accusing the players of being unpatriotic.
Stung by the criticism, the league in May changed its policy, making it mandatory for players to stand for the anthem or remain in the locker room, or face potential penalties from their teams. Previously, it was only suggested that players stand for the anthem.
The new policy triggered yet another backlash, with some players saying they would continue to protest, and some owners, most notably Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, saying their players had to stand. In the uproar, the NFL decided to freeze its new policy and seek ways to modify it in negotiations with the NFL Players Association, which had filed a grievance against the league for “unilaterally changing its policy.”
Dolphins wide receiver Albert Wilson knelt and defensive end Robert Quinn held his right fist in the air Friday during the national anthem before Miami’s game against Carolina at Bank of America Stadium.
Wide receiver Kenny Stills, who joined Wilson and Quinn last week in their protest of social injustices, didn’t travel for game due to an ankle injury. Stills and Wilson knelt during the national anthem prior to last week’s preseason opener against Tampa Bay while Quinn held his right fist in the air.
They were among about a dozen players out of roughly 2,880 in the league who decided to make a statement during the national anthem in last week’s preseason openers.