DOLPHINS KEEPING FOCUS ON GAME
Offff humbling loss, players put national anthem furor on back burner.
The Dolphins players
LONDON — who have protested during the national anthem are not afraid to talk about it, but they’d like to keep the discussion centered on business this week.
Multiple players, most notably receiver Kenny Stills, insisted on sticking to talking about Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints over any non-football subject. The lingering frustration about losing 20-6 to the Jets last week stuck with Miami as it practiced this week.
“It’s defifinitely sparked some conversation, but at this time, we’re trying to focus on winning a game,” Stills said when asked if the protests were a topic in the locker room this week. “That’s been our main focus. We didn’t play well last week. We lost. We didn’t really show up. We’re trying to do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen this week.”
After President Trump said last Friday night that NFL owners should fifire any player who takes a
knee during the anthem and “get the sons of a b—— off the field,” the team held a meeting to debate its options last Saturday, and safety Michael Thomas said everyone was receptive. Six Dolphins knelt during the anthem before the game against the Jets in New Jersey.
The Dolphins will not hold a similar meeting this weekend.
Stills, in particular has been one of the most vocal Dolphins on the issue, especially when he knelt during the anthem at every game last season.
He hadn’t planned to kneel this year, but Trump’s scathing remarks prompted him to reconsider. He did not say whether he would kneel again this week.
“That’s not something that we’re thinking about,” Stills said. “We’re just thinking about the game and getting prepared for it.”
When Gase was asked by the British media whether Trump’s comments became a distraction for his team, he dismissed the topic and said, “It’s just something I don’t have the power to get into. I’m worried about coaching the game.”
To some extent, that mindset seems to be t r ickling down to the players, who will make individual choices on what they do Sunday.
Tight end Julius Thomas said on CNN this week that he will kneel again Sunday and reiterated that after practice Friday.
“Anytime you try to make a statement, you have to do it with a full understanding of what statement you’re making,” he said. “When I took the stance and I stepped a little bit outside of myself and thought about others, I did it with the understanding that this is something I was committing to. I’ll continue to commit to seeking equality for all people.”
Thomas knelt last week along with Maurice Smith,
La rem yTunsil, Jordan Phillips, Jay A jay ia nd Stills. Smith, like Stills, declined to say whether he would kneel this week, and Ajayi said he planned to decide Friday night.
The rest of the Dolphins locked arms as they stood on the sideline, and owner Stephen Ross joined them.
Smith, an undrafted free agent, talked exclusively to The Post on Friday about why he chose to kneel despite the possible consequences it could have on his career.
“I feel like if I stood firm on my decision and if I get cut, it is what it is,” Smith said. “I did what I felt was right. If that’s what happens, I’ll live with it.”
Smith said he is uncertain if he will kneel Sunday. He’s waiting to speak with his teammates about it some more.
As for last week, Smith said his decision to kneel was somewhat spontaneous.
“It was important just because of the team,” Smith said. “We made a commitment to do it. And then actually I didn’t know I was going to kneel until it happened. In college, obviously, I never had the opportunity to do that. I just felt that this stage, it gives me the opportunity to stand up for what we believe as a team. That’s what I felt what I needed to go.”
What is it that Smith would like to see change in America?
“What west and for is everybody being equal,” he said. “Everybody being equal. I feel like if those things get changed, then a lot of America would be different. The world can be a better place.”