Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Dolphins’ Stills calls out owner Ross, host of Trump luncheon
Although the Miami Dolphins’ Steve Ross has been one of the most supportive owners in the league about players protesting racial inequality, on Wednesday he was publicly criticized by one of his own players for planning to host a pricey fundraiser for President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election at his New York residence later this week.
Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills, one of the few NFL players who has consistently knelt during the national anthem the past three seasons, spoke out against Ross for hosting the event and pointed to Ross’ efforts to improve race relations through his non-prof
it organization as a contradiction.
Trump, who plans to attend the event at Ross’ home, has been heavily criticized during his campaign and presidency for his some of his comments and posts on social media, which many view as racist. Trump has also repeatedly railed against NFL players, such as Stills and former quarterback Colin Kaepernick, for kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness of racial and social inequalities.
Stills, the Dolphins’ most prominent advocate for human rights, called out Ross for contradicting the mission statement supporting his non-profit organization RISE, the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality.
“You can’t have a nonprofit with this mission statement then open your doors to Trump,” Stills posted on his Twitter account.
RISE’s mission statement reads: “We are a national non-profit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.”
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Ross acknowledged a longtime friendship with Trump and a dedication to continue supporting racial equality, inclusion, diversity among other principles.
“I always have been an active participant in the democratic process. While some prefer to sit outside of the process and criticize, I prefer to engage directly and support the things I deeply care about,” Ross said in the statement.
“I have known Donald Trump for 40 years, and while we agree on some issues, we strongly disagree on many others and I have never been bashful about expressing my opinions. I started my business with nothing and a reason for my engagement with our leaders is my deep concern for creating jobs and growing our country’s economy.
“I have been, and will continue to be, an outspoken champion of racial equality, inclusion, diversity, public education and environmental sustainability, and I have and will continue to support leaders on both sides of the aisle to address these challenges.”
The Dolphins had no comment as to whether Stills would face discipline.
Stills’ comment came shortly after The Washington Post published a story about Trump’s expected appearances Friday at two fundraising events in the Hamptons.
One of the events is a Friday luncheon at Ross’s home in Southampton, New York, where tickets are priced at $100,000 for a photo opportunity and lunch, and $250,000 for a package that includes participation at a round-table discussion during the event, according to the report.
Ross is not the only NFL executive to support Trump. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and quarterback Tom
Brady are staunch supporters, while New York Jets owner Woody Johnson serves as Trump’s U.S. ambassador with the United Kingdom.
As the NFL tried to implement a policy for its players protesting during the national anthem last year, the Miami Dolphins were heavily scrutinized after the Associated Press published a report revealing a team policy that could have punished players with a suspension up to four games.
The NFL and its players’ association quickly agreed to put such team policies on hold five hours after the report was published in July 2018. The policy has since not been revisited. No NFL player has been disciplined by his team for kneeling during the anthem, but Kaepernick believes he was blackballed for starting the protests.
Ross, 79, became the majority owner of the Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium in 2009. He is also the founder, owner and chairman of The Related Companies, which is credited with the recent Hudson Yards redesign project in New York, and oversees companies such as Equinox Fitness, SoulCycle, Vaynermedia and RSE Ventures. Ross’s net worth is estimated to be at least $7.7 billion, according to Forbes.
Along with Stills, Dolphins receiver Albert Wilson and Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid also knelt during the national anthem last season, while former Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn knelt while raising his right fist.
Stills, who has aligned himself with Kaepernick’s efforts for much of the past three years, participates in a number of volunteering, mentoring and awarenessraising activities as part of his extensive philanthropy work in the South Florida community with groups like RISE and the Miami Dolphins’ Football Unites program.
Among the activities, Stills has participated in ride-along events with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to discuss community policing, visiting children and military veterans in local hospitals, and receiving a Luminary Icon award last year from SAVE, a LGBTQ-rights group for promoting equality.
Along with his off-thefield efforts, Stills remains a significant down-field, receiving threat for the Dolphins on the football field, where he will play alongside quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen under new coach Brian Flores this season.
Stills, who joined the Dolphins in 2015 after his first two seasons with the New Orleans Saints, has caught 259 passes, gaining 4,138 yards with 32 touchdowns in 94 games during his NFL career.
Stills has two years remaining on a four-year, $32 million deal he agreed to with the Dolphins in 2017. He will earn a base salary of $7.9 million during the 2019 season.
Stills is expected to continue raising awareness for equality and social injustices during the Dolphins’ preseason opener on Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons.