Owners, players establish committee on social justice

Boldin: NFL putting ‘resources behind’ players’ concerns.

The NFL has established a player-owner committee focusing on social and racial justice initiatives.

The league also said Tuesday it is beginning a “Let’s Listen Together” campaign that includes digital content and commercials highlighting player-led work on equality issues. That platform will include social media support and letters from players and owners.

Owners on the committee are Arizona’s Michael Bidwill, Atlanta’s Arthur Blank, Jacksonville’s Shad Khan, Cleveland’s Jimmy Haslam and Miami’s Stephen Ross. Current players Josh McCown, Josh Norman and Kelvin Beachum, Pro Football Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams and former player Anquan Boldin are on the committee.

This season many players took knees during the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice, drawing rebukes from President Donald Trump.

Boldin says the initiative should be celebrated because the NFL is the “first professional league or entity that has taken the concerns of its players and put resources behind it.”

Panthers: New offensive coordinator Norv Turner has no plans to restrict Cam Newton’s ability to make plays with his feet. As for the quarterback’s throwing motion, well, that might need a little tweaking.

“He’s an amazing player for his position,” Turner said Tuesday on a conference call.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Newton has carried the ball 828 times over the past seven seasons — by far the most in the league by a quarterback during that span. He has averaged 5.2 yards per carry and has scored 54 touchdowns rushing, which is the most by a QB in NFL history.

“He’s a real threat to defenses,” Tuner said. “So he will always have that threat to run.”

But Turner suggested that he and his son Scott Turner, the team’s new quarterbacks coach, will look to improve Newton’s throwing mechanics. Newton has a tendency to throw off his back foot, Turner said, often resulting in high throws that lead to incompletions or interceptions.

Cardinals: Steve Wilks took over as Arizona’s coach saying he was humbled by the job but exhibiting an abundance of confidence that he can do it well.

The 48-year-old, promoted after just one season as defensive coordinator of the Panthers, was introduced at a news conference Tuesday, bringing a reputation of connecting easily with his players as he replaces Bruce Arians, who retired after five colorful seasons and 50 victories in Arizona.

“We found a great leader,” club President Michael Bidwill said, “and not just a leader with a high football IQ but also a high football ‘EQ’ (emotional quotient). He doesn’t just coach football players, he coaches people.”

Wilks, who gets a fouryear contract with a team option for a fifth, described his coaching style as “very passionate, persistent and very positive.”

And confident.

“I’m going to tell you right now,” Wilks said, looking at Bidwill and general manager Steve Keim, “you guys made the right decision.

“This is not a rebuild, this is a retool.”

AP Panthers QB Cam Newton will not have his running ability restricted, new OC Norv Turner said, but will need some work on his throwing mechanics.