GREEN LEADER
Jets’ Davis played pivotal role in first anthem meeting
Jets’ Davis took charge of NFL’s national anthem meeting with owners, Goodell
Demario Davis was one of two Jets who attended last week’s NFL owners-players meeting in New York, and according to ESPN, the linebacker was a leader in the room. The meeting was held to discuss players protesting racial inequality and injustice by kneeling, sitting or otherwise gesturing during the national anthem. Twelve current players, including Davis and Jets offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum, and one retired player — Anquan Boldin — were at the meeting, along with 11 NFL owners. Commissioner Roger Goodell gave each player a chance to speak during the meeting, ESPN reports, and eventually Davis stood up in the middle of the room and told the owners, “I’m going to break it down for you guys. You guys aren’t supporting us, and until you do, there’s going to be an issue.” Davis’ remarks “seemed to relieve the tension” in the room, according to ESPN. Later, Falcons owner Arthur Blank told Davis he’d “missed his calling” as a public speaker. At the conclusion of the meeting, Davis commented on how much he appreciated acting Jets owner Christopher Johnson speaking with each of his players one-onone to hear their concerns, according to ESPN. “Guys will stand up if you hear them,” Davis said to the owners. Johnson — who has assumed ownership duties after his brother, Woody, accepted a position as Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Kingdom — talked to his players individually prior to the Jets’ home opener against the Dolphins last month. The team then decided to link arms during the national anthem as a show of unity. Johnson stood between Josh McCown and Jamal Adams, and he’s continued to stand with his players in each game since then. “I was incredibly honored,” Johnson said of the players including him in the national anthem display. Up until now, Davis’ role in last week’s meeting was largely unknown to the public. On Friday in Florham Park, he refrained from commenting on the ESPN story to avoid distracting the Jets from their game Sunday against the Falcons at MetLife Stadium.
“I just think there’s a time for everything, and you got to prioritize life,” Davis said in the locker room. “I’m sure there will be meetings in the future and there will be more time to talk about that at a different time. But right now, I’m just focused on Atlanta.”
Last week, Davis refused to answer questions about the meeting and only provided a verbal statement. He referenced that statement again Friday, while also saying he would be willing to speak again on the matter after the next meeting.
“I will say that the talks were very productive,” Davis said in the statement last Wednesday. “It’s encouraging to me as an athlete to see so many athletes and owners so concerned about our country and pushing in the right direction. We have a tremendous platform in the NFL, and to whom much is given, much is required. And that’s why we simply can’t just play football.
“We have to help push our country in the right direction, and it’s encouraging to see the owners and the athletes wanting to do that. … I think that we are working together, we’re working very hard at doing that. The thing that I see is our owners and our players have a tremendous love and devotion for our country, and that’s neat to see. I do think that we are very near a time where the protests will end, and athletes and owners will be at the forefront of social change for our country in a positive manner. And so I’m very excited about that.”
Davis then proceeded to answer two follow-up questions with the same one-word answer: “Miami.” Beachum also opted not to answer questions last week and instead said he would “lean on” the joint statement released by the NFL and the NFL Players’ Association.
Beachum expanded on those thoughts Friday. “It’s a step in the right direction. There’s still a long ways to go,” he said of the meetings. “But again, our focus, both mine and DD’s, is on the Falcons this week.”
When asked by the Daily News in training camp if the Jets had discussed national anthem protests as a team, Davis said, “I try to stay away from political issues” and didn’t want to discuss the topic further.