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A6 U.S. NEWS
Friday 25 May 2018

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Seahawks' Baldwin says NFL "really missed it" with policy

By TIM BOOTH and foremost, but he's just to players to essentially be
AP Sports Writer being divisive, which is quiet.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Se- not surprising. It is what it "Pretty much. I think that's
attle Seahawks wide re- is. But for him to say any- part of it. It seems that way,"
ceiver Doug Baldwin had body who doesn't follow Wilson said. "But I think a
harsh words for the com- his viewpoints or his con- policy right or wrong is not
ments made by President stituents viewpoints should going to fix our problems."
Donald Trump regarding be kicked out of the coun- The new policy allows
the NFL's new national an- try is not very empathetic. teams to adopt their own
them policy on Thursday, as It's not very American like, workplace rules, which
players began to process actually, to me. It's not many players interpreted
the new mandate from the very patriotic. It's not what as a backhanded way of
league's owners. this country was founded subjecting them to fines,
Baldwin has been a lead- upon. It's kind of ironic to suspensions or loss of jobs
ing voice from the players' me the President of the should they carry on with
perspective for why there United States is contradict- the protests. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson talks to reporters
were protests last season ing what our country is re- For Baldwin, who is among following NFL football practice, Thursday, May 24, 2018, in Rent-
even though Baldwin never ally built on." the players to have worked on, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
participated in kneeling or Baldwin was among a with the league on ad-
sitting on the sidelines dur- handful of players that dressing social concerns sipate," Baldwin said. quarterback Drew Brees
ing "The Star-Spangled Ban- have expressed frustration and community programs, "But again, when you stoke said. But teammate Dema-
ner." and disappointment with the anthem decision felt the fire and inflame a gap rio Davis had mixed emo-
He spoke passionately af- the NFL mandating play- like a step back. that was really dissipat- tions about the policy. His
ter the Seahawks conclud- ers must stand for the na- "If you're asking my opinion, ing at the time, diffusing, father served in the military,
ed their offseason workout tional anthem if they're on I think that in conjunction you cause more problems. but he also understands
and sounded offended by the field, though they now with the NFL, the way that That's why I say I think the why players have been
the president's comments have the option of remain- things were going, I felt on NFL missed it." protesting. "I just think that
to "Fox & Friends" in an in- ing in the locker room for the Players Coalition side of Others around the league when you love something
terview that aired Thurs- the playing of the anthem things we were coming to didn't see the policy as a — you care about it — you
day saying, "maybe you and carry on the cam- an amicable agreement potential issue. want to work to get it right.
shouldn't be in the country" paigns against social injus- and relationship and work- "I'm really not too worried I love my children. When
if you don't stand for the tice. ing toward initiatives and about it. I would expect they do wrong things, I'm
anthem. Even normally reserved causes that we wanted to that everybody's gonna be going to let them know
"He's an idiot. Plain and Seattle quarterback Rus- see as players addressed, I out there with their hand they're doing wrong things.
simple," Baldwin said. "I re- sell Wilson agreed with the thought that you would see over their heart, showing I'm not just going to sweep
spect the man because sentiment that the owners' the demonstrations and respect to the flag and to it under the rug because I
he's a human being first decision was a message the issues within the NFL dis- the country," New Orleans love them," Davis said.q