League vows it will commit $90 million to social causes
The NFL is committing $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes in a threesegment plan that involves league players.
In a memo sent to the 32 teams Friday and obtained by the Associated Press, the league unveiled what it calls a new and expanded program of community improvement. The NFL Foundation is putting a $3 million grant into the program.
Each NFL team will contribute to the plan, much of which will be funded through “cause related events and consumer products sales, auctions and other promotional sources” as well as contributions from clubs.
In a separate memo, Anna Isaacson, the league’s vice president for social responsibility, provided details of the program. She noted financial commitments, use of government resources, and promoting community endeavors by the players.
The initiative comes in response to player demonstrations staged during the national anthem to raise awareness for social issues such as racial inequality. The protests include kneeling during the anthem, an act that has drawn steady criticism from President Trump.
“Social justice may mean different things to different people and organizations,” Isaacson wrote. “The NFL’s work will encompass programs and initiatives that reduce barriers to opportunity, with a priority on supporting improvements in education, community/police relations and our criminal justice system. Additional focus areas include poverty, racial equality and workforce development.”
NFL owners and executives met with players, who formed a Players Coalition, in October during the league’s fall meetings in New York. There also were extensive phone conversations, NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said. Rodgers to practice Saturday? Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay’s twotime MVP quarterback who was placed on injured reserve after breaking his right collarbone Oct. 15 against Minnesota, is on track to practice Saturday, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.
“He’s got a workout today that we’ll obviously evaluate,” McCarthy said Friday. “We’re looking tomorrow to potentially practice him in a trial return. That’s the outlook.”
If the Packers (5-6) can stay in the playoff race by beating Tampa Bay (4-7) on Sunday and Cleveland (0-11) next weekend, Rodgers could return for the Dec. 17 game at Carolina. Panthers’ Johnson suspended: Carolina will be without starting defensive end Charles Johnson for Sunday’s NFC showdown with New Orleans.
Johnson, an 11-year veteran, has been suspended without pay for the Panthers’ next four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. He’s eligible to return to the active roster Dec. 25.
“I accept full responsibility,” Johnson said in a statement. “I have been recovering from back surgery, dealing with the daily grind of football and mistakenly thought this could help. It was an error in judgment on my part.”
Also for Carolina, former Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey (shoulder), Greg Olsen (foot) and linebacker Thomas Davis (hamstring) will be game-time decisions. Peko streak to end: Denver nose tackle Domata Peko’s 123-game starting streak, the longest by a defensive lineman in the NFL, will come to an end this weekend.
Broncos coach Vance Joseph said Peko has a sprained ligament in his left knee, an injury suffered in the Broncos’ 21-14 loss to the Raiders on Sunday.
Peko joined the Broncos as a free agent this spring after 11 seasons in Cincinnati. He’s played in every game since the 2010 opener. Peters’ new deal: Arizona signed defensive lineman Corey Peters, 29, to a three-year contract extension that could keep him with the Cardinals through 2020.