Goodell: We should have listened to players.
Commissioner acknowledges not addressing concerns
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday that the league was wrong for not listening to players and their concerns about social justice and racism.
Goodell released the video on Friday, nearly 24 hours after a group of NFL players requested the NFL take strong action in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Social injustice has been a major source of tension in the NFL since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling before games during the 2016 season to bring attention to police brutality. Kaepernick hasn’t played in an NFL game since that campaign.
Goodell didn’t mention Kaepernick in Friday’s video but acknowledged that the NFL didn’t take concerns of the players in a serious manner.
“It has been a difficult time for our country, in particular, black people in our country,” Goodell began in a video. “First, my condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and all the families who have endured police brutality.
“We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people.
“We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.
“We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter.
“I personally protest with you and want to be part of the much needed change in this country.
“Without black players, there would be no National Football League, and the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of black players, coaches, fans and staff.
“We are listening, I am listening and I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family.”
A total of 18 players, including quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, wide receiver Michael Thomas and defensive end Chase Young, the No. 2 pick of the recent NFL draft, participated in a 71-second video released Thursday called “Stronger Together.”
Thomas, the star receiver of the New Orleans Saints, opened the video by saying, “It’s been 10 days since George Floyd was brutally murdered,” before players later took turns saying, “What if I was George Floyd?”
Later, the players spoke in unison: “So on behalf of the National Football League, this is what we the players would like to hear you state. We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systemic oppression of black people. We, the National Football League, admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter.”
The NFL’s social-justice troubles reached a peak early in the 2017 season when President Donald Trump called for owners to get any “(body)” off the field who didn’t stand for the anthem. In October 2017, Vice President Mike Pence departed an Indianapolis Colts game against the 49ers when he saw players protesting during the national anthem.
Floyd, a black man, died on May 25 after white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes in an incident caught on cell phones.
TRUMP CRITICIZES DREW BREES OVER ANTHEM APOL
OGY >> President Donald Trump criticized New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees for apologizing over comments he made in opposition to National Football League players kneeling during the national anthem.
“He’s truly one of the greatest quarterbacks, but he should not have taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag,” Trump tweeted on Friday. “OLD GLORY is to be revered, cherished, and flown high …”
JAGUARSMARCHASATEAM
>> The Jacksonville Jaguars protested against inequality and police brutality, marching from their stadium to the steps of the sheriff’s department.
“Today we say no more,” wide receiver Chris Conley said. “Today we see a nation that can’t await change, a city that won’t sit still or be quiet.”
The march included Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Linder and Josh Lambo of the Jaguars along with family members. Coach Doug Marrone, general manager Dave Caldwell and assistant coach Terry Robiskie also walked in what the team called an attempt to “raise awareness for racial injustices against the Black community,” with many wearing “Black Lives Matter” Tshirts.
With the NFL allowing only coaches to return to their offices Friday and players still working remotely because of the pandemic, several Jaguars could not take part in the march.
The team posted videos from a handful of players, including quarterback Gardner Minshew, linebacker Joe Schobert and defensive end Aaron Lynch. Schobert encouraged people to register to vote.