Anthem policy might change.
National Football League owners will meet next week to consider changes to a game manual that says players “should” stand during the national anthem, a guideline that the league has left to the discretion of players who knelt in larger numbers after criticism from President Donald Trump.
Commissioner Roger Goodell told club executives Tuesday in a memo that the anthem issue is dividing the league from its fans. He said the NFL needs “to move past this controversy.”
NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said the policy will be “front and center on the agenda” when owners meet in New York next Tuesday and Wednesday.
The movement started by former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick last season had mostly subsided when Trump told a rally in Alabama last month that owners should get rid of players who kneel during the anthem.
In his memo, Goodell reiterated the league’s belief that everyone should stand for the anthem and outlined plans to highlight efforts of players trying to bring attention to the social issues behind the game-day protests. Goodell said those plans would be presented to owners next week.
Cardinals obtain Peterson: The Arizona Cardinals, with the worst rushing game in the NFL, acquired running back Adrian Peterson from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for an undisclosed 2018 draft pick.
The 32-year-old Peterson has rushed for 11,828 yards and 97 touchdowns in his 10-plus pro seasons. The four-time all-pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection signed a two-year contract with the Saints during the off-season after spending his first 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
Peterson has played sparingly with little success for New Orleans. He’s gained 81 yards in 27 carries, an average of 3 yards per attempt with a long run of 11.
Gordon eyes comeback: Revealing he was scared for his life because of his drug use, suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is making his case to be reinstated by the NFL.
Gordon detailed years of substance use, the depths of his addiction and his determination to turn his life around during a 13-minute video released on the website Uninterrupted.
The former all-pro who led the league in yards receiving in 2013 was indefinitely suspended by Goodell two years ago following another violation of the league’s substanceabuse policy.
He’s had numerous stints in rehab, most of which he said he didn’t take seriously. The 26year-old Gordon can reapply to the NFL this fall.
An NFL spokesman did not immediately respond to an inquiry on Gordon’s status.
Bradford has no new injury: Another MRI on Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford’s left knee has revealed no additional injury, after he was pulled early from the game at Chicago on Monday night because of continued discomfort.
Vikings head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman said Bradford does not have any ligament damage or bone bruising, just aggravation of the wear and tear in the joint that has hampered him for the past four weeks.
It’s a common condition, Sugarman said, for someone whose knee has undergone two ACL reconstructions.
The Vikings beat the Bears, 20-17, behind a strong second-half performance by backup Case Keenum, who started the three previous games in place of Bradford.
Sugarman said there was unanimous confidence on the coaching and medical staffs that Bradford was well enough to start, but Bradford went just 5 for 11 for 36 yards while taking four sacks in less than half of the game.