A group of four players sent the NFL a memo in August requesting league support and asking for a month to be dedicated to social activism, not long after commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly had talked to several players regarding their game-day activism efforts.
According to Yahoo! Sports, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and wide receiver Torrey Smith, and former Arizona Cardinals wideout Anquan Boldin co-authored a 2,740-word document intended to push the NFL to honor activism in an effort "similarly to what the league already implements for breast cancer awareness, honoring military, etc."
The letter was obtained by Yahoo! Sports and originally published Wednesday night.
"We would like November to serve as a month of Unity for individual teams to engage and impact the community in their market," the memo states.
The letter was prepared shortly after Goodell spoke with several players who had protested on game day before the regular season kicked off, the Yahoo! report stated, citing two sources.
"For us, support means: bear all or part of the weight of; hold up; give assistance to, especially financially; enable to function or act. We need support, collaboration and partnerships to achieve our goal of strengthening the community," the letter stated.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy issued a statement on Goodell's visit to Philadelphia, where he and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie accepted an invitation by Jenkins to take a closer look at the city's justice system.
"Commissioner Goodell has been talking with players for some time about social justice issues and how to recognize the progress and the important work of our players in their communities across the country," McCarthy said in the statement.
"Malcolm invited the commissioner to Philadelphia a couple weeks ago to see and share in what they've been doing to impact criminal justice reform. Joined by Mr. Lurie, the Commissioner spent the day along with Malcolm and others meeting with community leaders and representatives of law enforcement. The commissioner is grateful to our players both for sharing their experiences and for all the important work they are doing in the community."
The meeting in Philadelphia occurred after the memo was sent to Goodell by the four players.
Bennett, Jenkins, Smith and Boldin either didn't return requests for comment to Yahoo! or declined to discuss the memo, citing an agreement to keep talks private, according to the website.
The league declined to comment on the memo to Yahoo! Sports but told ESPN's Josina Anderson on Thursday that "We are continuing to work directly with the players. These are private conversations."
Boldin retired in late August, two weeks after signing a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. He said in a statement that he felt "drawn to make the larger fight for human rights a priority. My life's purpose is bigger than football."
Earlier this month, the NFL affirmed it had no plans to investigate Bennett's behavior during an August incident in which he was detained and handcuffed by police in Las Vegas.
The league was responding to a letter Goodell had received from the president of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, the union that represents police officers in that city. In the letter, the union alleged that Bennett made false accusations against Las Vegas police and asked the league to "conduct an investigation, and take appropriate action."
Bennett, who accused the Las Vegas police of unfairly targeting him and pointing a gun at his head, sat on the bench during the national anthem for a Seahawks preseason game on Aug. 13 and said at the time, "I can't stand right now. I'm not going to be standing until I see the equality and freedom."
Don't let this distract you from the fact that Jared kushner and some other cats just got busted using private email for official business.
but you conservative don't care. it only matters if a liberal does it.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
The endzone seating can be reserved for the pansy white liberals. It can be called the white guilt section, and they will applaud when the opposing team scores. You know, because both teams should be treated equally.
don't you have a paper dress to wear in some religious cult?
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Only if Bradley Cooper is involved, and he's a gynocologist.
why is it always bradley cooper?
why not Ryan Gosling?
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
How about instead of MANDATING things, the players just do it on their own time? If the cause is so great and wonderful, why do you need to force people to do it? Just my thoughts.
We're going to have to add new months to the calendar to accommodate all the dedication's. I say we just need to promote the work of players like Clinton -Dix, Malcolm Jenkins, Bolden etc. NFL can pay for airtime on TV, radio for these guys to spread the word of their great work. But foolish me, it's cheaper to dedicate a month.
Yippee a new thread for our board Trumputeers to whine and cry about players they now hate and don't watch anymore but feel they still need to bash those players who wish to celebrate our diversity. Nice Job Vambo. Pfft
Not funny you all whine and cry about players taking a knee and then when they find other ways to bring attention to the issues you whine and cry and make snide remarks about that as well. It pretty much makes the point of why it's needed. But whatever. You can continue with all the hate now. I'm outta this one.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson.
I am pretty sure FB has created this "woe is me" culture in America. I think its about time we really consider bringing MySpace back. Tom wouldn't let these shenanigans go on.
What are they gonna do, pin a hanky to their uniform for a month? Instead of mouth guards they can all have pacifiers.
lol
Oh I think this entire idea is stupid!
But all the whining you guys are doing about players kneeling and you claim liberals need hankies? That's hilarious. I found your new theme song.
Now go ahead and question my manhood and my profession because that's what you do when you got nothing. You stoop to personal attacks and act like a child that needs those hankies you keep talking about.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Well let's address that. Sick people are being treated in Hospitals I helped build. Students are being taught in schools I helped build. Businesses and jobs are thriving in office buildings I helped build.
You? You have a bunch of video game addicted kids staring at a computer screen. How noble of you!
lmao
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
I'm not going to criticize your profession Pit but you should look in the mirror when it comes to personal attacks
Oh this isn't her first time. She likes trying to demean others to try and make a point. It's what people do when they can't stand on their own principals. Then they call us elite later when that's the direction they want to go in.
It's just some moronic rhetoric to try to make those who are insecure make them feel better about themselves.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
I'm not going to criticize your profession Pit but you should look in the mirror when it comes to personal attacks
Oh this isn't her first time. She likes trying to demean others to try and make a point. It's what people do when they can't stand on their own principals. Then they call us elite later when that's the direction they want to go in.
It's just some moronic rhetoric to try to make those who are insecure make them feel better about themselves.
Um, are you talking about yourself, because you do that in every single thread to every single person who disagrees with you.
Most of what you bash others with is low intel parroting.
The problem with their request is quite simple.. what happens when a player or a group of players, chooses to participate in "social activism" from a different perspective?
"Social activism" is an extremely broad banner to hang on the month.... Will they all show up to support their teammate when his social activism includes pro-life rallies, blue lives matter events, anti-immigration rallies, and use your own freaking bathroom fundraisers? Just curious how that would play out....
