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SPORTS Wednesday 18 OctOber 2017

NFL players, owners hold ‘constructive’ talks on issues

By BARRY WILNER want to get.”
AP Pro Football Writer Ross called the session
NEW YORK (AP) — NFL play- “constructive,” and Colts
ers and owners held an un- defensive back Darius But-
usual meeting Tuesday to ler termed it “positive.”
discuss social issues, a ses- Goodell spoke briefly be-
sion both sides termed posi- fore heading to further
tive and productive. league meetings. He em-
What was not discussed at phasized the commitment
any length was the divisive on the part of the players
topic of the national an- and the NFL “to work to-
them that has caught the gether on issues of social
attention of President Don- justice.”
ald Trump. “Our players are men
“We spent today talking of great character,” he
about issues that the play- added, “and they have a
ers are trying to bring atten- deep understanding and
tion to,” NFL Commissioner tremendous knowledge of
Roger Goodell said. “That the issues going on in all our
was the entire focus.” communities. This is some-
Asked if the players com- thing our owners said we
mitted to standing during want to support you in.”
the anthem, Goodell re- Butler, who played Mon-
sponded: “We did not ask day night in Nashville be- Former NFL football player Anquan Boldin, left, Philadelphia Eagles Malcolm Jenkins, center, and
for that.” fore attending the meeting San Francisco 49ers Eric Reid, right, speak to the press outside the league’s headquarters after
A group of 11 owners and hours later, said both sides meetings, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in New York.
more than a dozen play- are headed in the right di- Associated Press
ers met for more than two rection. He said the players sues and pledged to meet union president Eric Win- added.
hours at the league’s head- delivered “our perspective. again to continue this work ston, former player Anquan “It went from just phone
quarters. Among the topics Obviously it’s a different together. Boldin, and current players calls to obviously this is the
discussed was enhancing perspective. “As we said last week, ev- Butler (Indianapolis), Rus- first time meeting.
the players’ platforms for I think that’s the most impor- eryone who is part of our sell Okung (Los Angeles So I don’t think we could
speaking out on social is- tant thing when it comes to NFL community has a tre- Chargers), Kenny Stills, Ju- come up with a whole plan
sues. these issues is perspective mendous respect for our lius Thomas and Michael and solution in two hours,
“We heard what they had and respecting everyone’s country, our flag, our an- Thomas (Miami), Mark Her- but we are happy that
to say and they heard us,” rights regardless of how them and our military. zlich (New York Giants), Kel- these things are happen-
Miami Dolphins owner Ste- they feel.” In the best American tra- vin Beachum and Demario ing. We’re looking forward
phen Ross said. “It’s open The players’ union and the dition, we are coming to- Davis (New York Jets), Jen- to the opportunity to really
talks and that’s a good league issued a joint state- gether to find common kins and Chris Long (Phila- put a good plan together.”
thing.” ment just before the an- ground and commit to the delphia), Eric Reid (San Earlier, outside of the ho-
The NFL’s policy on the nual fall owners meetings hard work required for posi- Francisco) and Josh Nor- tel where the owners are
national anthem did not began. The owners meet- tive change.” man (Washington). meeting, two dozen sup-
come up. That policy states ings continue Wednesday, On hand at the meet- Jenkins has been one of porters of Black Lives Mat-
that the players “should” when the anthem could be ing were Goodell and the the leading spokesmen ter New York held a rally
stand for the anthem, and discussed. league’s football opera- among the players, as well backing the players for
some have suggested “Today owners and players tions chief, former player as highly active in the com- speaking out — particularly
the league would seek had a productive meeting Troy Vincent; and owners munity. He said the discus- former 49ers quarterback
to change that to “must” focused on how we can Michael Bidwill (Arizona), sion was about “everything Colin Kaepernick for kneel-
stand. Goodell said in a work together to promote Arthur Blank (Atlanta), Terry to do with the state of the ing during the anthem last
memo to the teams last positive social change and Pegula (Buffalo), Robert NFL now, obviously anthem year in protest of racial in-
week that the NFL prefers address inequality in our McNair (Houston), Shad protests, activism that play- justice in America.
for players to stand during communities,” the state- Khan (Jacksonville), Ross, ers have been doing, and Demonstrations during the
“The Star-Spangled Ban- ment said. “NFL executives Robert Kraft (New Eng- how we can move this anthem increased when
ner.” and owners joined NFLPA land), John Mara (New York forward to really amplify Trump called the players
“Very little of the meet- executives and player Giants), Art Rooney (Pitts- players’ voices and am- unpatriotic if they knelt dur-
ing was about the actual leaders to review and dis- burgh), Jeffrey Lurie (Phila- plify these issues and make ing the anthem, with both
anthem,” Eagles safety cuss plans to utilize our delphia) and Jed York (San some long sustainable players and league execu-
Malcolm Jenkins said. “We platform to promote equal- Francisco). changes.” tives saying the meaning of
were really more talking ity and effectuate posi- Representing the players “I’m not sure we’re close the protests has been mis-
about solutions and how tive change. We agreed were NFLPA Executive Di- to a resolution, but conver- construed by the president
we get the results that we that these are common is- rector DeMaurice Smith, sations are ongoing,” he and his supporters.q