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sports Wednesday 9 september 2020
Now that NFL supports Colin Kaepernick's fight, what's next

By ROB MAADDI and they understand that
AP Pro Football Writer we have to do this togeth-
Four years later, the NFL er."
admitted it was wrong and Philadelphia Eagles owner
said it now supports Co- Jeffery Lurie said some of
lin Kaepernick in his fight his fellow owners are "em-
against racial injustice, en- barrassed by our country"
couraging players to take and they have meetings
a stand - or a knee - for the scheduled to discuss how
cause. they can do more to help.
What happens next? "I actually believe that in
The league's 101st season most of the owners' hearts
kicks off Thursday night, and minds, they are really
when the Super Bowl wanting to be proactive,"
champion Kansas City Lurie said. "It's very impor-
Chiefs host the Houston tant, though, that we sup-
Texans. NFL end zones will port policies that are part
be inscribed this season of the solution, and in terms
with two slogans: "It Takes of elected officials, locally,
All Of Us" on one side, "End statewide and maybe, ob-
Racism" on the other. viously, important nation-
As part of its social justice ally."
awareness initiatives, the Still, not one NFL owner has
NFL also will allow similar vi- hired Kaepernick, a talent-
suals on helmets and caps. In this Sept. 18, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick (7) and Eric Reid (35) ed quarterback who led
Players will be permitted to kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in the San Francisco 49ers to
wear decals on the back Charlotte, N.C. within 7 yards of defeating
of helmets, or patches Associated Press Baltimore in Super Bowl 47.
on team caps, displaying gized to players for not porters continue to criticize said in a radio interview last The 32-year-old Kaepernick
names or phrases to honor listening sooner and en- players across all sports week. "I'll assure you that. hasn't been offered a con-
victims of racism and/or couraged them to protest leagues for keeling during I'd hope that our fans — tract since he last played in
police brutality. peacefully. the national anthem. It will and I think they will — un- 2016.
"The NFL stands with the Floyd died after a police likely be a focal point for derstand that our players "Colin was a visionary, a
Black community, the officer pressed his knee into Trump during his campaign have issues that they need pioneer for our generation
players, clubs and fans," Floyd's neck for nearly eight for re-election. But many help on. They need help and we are truly grateful
NFL Commissioner Roger minutes. His death in May who opposed Kaepernick's from the majority of Amer- for him," said NFL agent An-
Goodell said last week. awakened many people, stance now say they un- ica. They need help." dre Odom. "Making such a
"Confronting recent sys- including NFL owners, to derstand and support the NFL executive Troy Vincent huge sacrifice for change
temic racism with tangible the root of the issues that movement. said he's seen a shift among isn't easy for anyone. Now
and productive steps is ab- led Kaepernick to kneel Even Dallas Cowboys own- owners. seeing the NFL acknowl-
solutely essential. We will during "The Star-Spangled er Jerry Jones appears to "I do believe that the club edge that they should've
not relent in our work." Banner" in 2016. have eased his hard-line owners are at a place over listened to him just shows
After George Floyd's death Kaepernick's demonstra- stance requiring players to the last few years, it's taken that the time is now to re-
at the hands of a Minne- tion was misinterpreted stand during the anthem. some a little longer than ally stand up, strategize,
apolis police officer ignited as an expression that de- "If our players are there, others, but it becomes a implement and execute
nationwide protests over meaned the flag and they are sensitive to and heart issue," Vincent said. initiatives for the African
racial injustice and police country. President Donald respect what America is as "And they do have an ap- American community. ... It
brutality, Goodell apolo- Trump and many of his sup- it relates to the flag," Jones preciation for humanity takes us all."q

Warholm wins 400 hurdles at Golden Spike meet in Ostrava

OSTRAVA, Czech Repub- Olympics in Barcelona. to win the men's triple jump,
lic (AP) — Two-time world "I was a bit surprise with while fellow American Ryan
champion Karsten War- the time, I thought it was Crouser extended his domi-
holm of Norway easily won better," Warholm said. "I nance in the men's shot put
the men's 400 meter hur- pushed all the way through this season by winning with
dles at the Golden Spike but that's sport." a throw of 22.43 meters.
meet on Tuesday, although About 3,000 spectators Dutch runner Sifan Hassan
he couldn't challenge the were allowed to attend the used her strong finish on the
world record this time. 59th edition of the meet final lap to take the wom-
Warholm clocked 47.62 due to the government's en's 5,000 in 14:37.85, while
seconds but said he'd restrictions to contain the Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Nor-
been hoping to run faster coronavirus pandemic. The way won the men's 1,500 in
after finishing the distance event is part of the newly 3:33,92.
in 46.87 in Stockholm last established World Athletics In a rarely contested race,
month. Continental Tour Gold cir- two-time 200 meter world
That was the second best cuit. champion Dafne Schippers
time in history, only 0.09 World and Olympic cham- of the Netherlands won
seconds behind the world pion Christian Taylor of the the women's 150 meters in Karsten Warholm of Norway competes in 400 meters hurdles at
the Golden Spike athletic meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic,
record set by American United States leaped a 16.56.q Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020.
Kevin Young at the 1992 world-leading 17.46 meters Associated Press