NFL players are responding to yesterday’s (May 23) announcement by Roger Goodell of a new anti-protest policy yesterday (May 23) that requires on-field players to stand during the national anthem.
Although Colin Kaepernick became the face of the social movement, several players began kneeling or sitting during the anthem to bring awareness to police brutality and other racial inequalities. The action galvanized a national debate resulting in President Donald Trump calling players who kneel “sons of b**ches” and suggesting they lose their jobs for disrespecting the flag.
A meeting to address the controversial topic was held on Tuesday (May 22) between NFL team owners. All but one voted in favor of the new policy, but according to the NFL Players Association, the players were not involved in the process. Upset by the decision players including Chris Long, Torrey Smith and Lance Moore decided to speak out on the issue after the decision became public.
Read some of there questions and concerns in the tweets below:
Cameron Jordan
By owners???? What options? Did I miss something @nflcommish pic.twitter.com/aP9dKpWhyR
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) May 23, 2018
Torrey Smith
“Appropriate respect for flag and anthem” implies that guys were being disrespectful towards it. Which is an opinion. Most people who believe that ignore the responses from the players and more importantly why men chose to protest. https://t.co/j7nyw2Lkai
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) May 23, 2018
Osi Umenyiora
They took a knee to draw attention to racial injustices in America. And they did just that. The protests were talked about in every country in the WORLD. In actuality, the players won. You can have this cheap “victory”. https://t.co/ePNJxuEORU
— OSI (@OsiUmenyiora) May 23, 2018
Malcolm Jenkins
#TheFightContinues pic.twitter.com/TX9IBDxRev
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) May 23, 2018
Chris Long
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) May 23, 2018
Dawuane Smoot
Freedom of speech does not exist for NFL players now, we get fined for protesting for something we believe in, FINE ME!!!! You can’t change my opinion, and can’t stop my protest I have a right as an American to protest when I feel there is injustice in this country.
— Dawuane Smoot (@Bigsmoot_94) May 23, 2018
Lance Moore
It’s not and never has been about the anthem. All the owners care about is their bottom line. And this is all the evidence we needed. Curious to hear how the @NFLPA responds https://t.co/USjZ1yxA5K
— Lance Moore (@LanceMoore16) May 23, 2018
George Iloka
What “respect” looks like to you may be different for next person. Some may feel exercising the very freedom they fought for is respect. Other do not. And there lie the disconnect. https://t.co/QF7I2mbktM
— George Iloka (@George_iloka) May 23, 2018
