Trump: ‘About time’ players required to stand for anthem
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says “it is about time” that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell demands “that all players STAND for our great National Anthem RESPECT OUR COUNTRY.”
Trump made a reference Wednesday on Twitter to Goodell’s meetings next week with NFL owners, where they will consider changes to a game manual that says players “should” stand during the national anthem. That’s a guideline that the league has left to the discretion of players who have kneeled in larger numbers after Trump’s criticism.
NFL owners will have their annual fall meeting Tuesday and next Wednesday in New York, and the league has invited the players’ union to take part.
Goodell told club executives Tuesday in a memo obtained by The Associated Press that the anthem issue is dividing the league from its fans. He said the NFL needs to move past the controversy.
Trump told supporters last month that owners should fire players who kneel during the anthem, reigniting the movement started by ex-San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick over his view of police mistreatment of black males.
Brady: No worry over shoulder
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady told New England fans not to worry about his left shoulder injury, even though it has kept him out of the team’s first two practices this week.
Brady said he would be on the field for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets with first place in the AFC East on the line.
The 40-year-old Brady leads the NFL with 1,702 passing yards. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns with one interception and another pick-6 that was officially ruled a fumble.
Giants suspend veteran DB
The New York Giants suspended vet- eran Dominque Rodgers Cromartie after the cornerback left the team’s facilities before practice Wednesday.
Coach Ben McAdoo announced the indefinite suspension after practice.
The second-year coach had met with Rodgers Cromartie on Tuesday and told him that he would not be active for this Sunday’s game in Denver because of something the 31-year-old either said or did during Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rodger-Cromartie told ESPN that he argued with McAdoo “about playing” during the game. He admitted to handling “it the wrong way, but to sit me a game had me hot so I left.”
He said plans to return to the team Thursday.
Odds and ends
Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford was able to practice despite a right ankle issue that had him limping late in Sunday’s game against Carolina. … Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (hamstring) says he feels a lot better than a week ago. Whether he plays Monday night against the Colts remains to be seen and will depend on how much Mariota can move around. … Jets running back Bilal Powell (calf ) and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (shoulder, toe) sat out practice and are uncertain to play against the Patriots. … Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (knee) and wide receiver Stefon Diggs (groin) were held out of practice.