Anthony Mazziotti
Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 teams on Tuesday to request the teams stand for the national anthem.
ESPN’s Tim McManus broke the story.
In the memo, Goodell mentioned that “everyone should stand for the National Anthem.” He went on to say the issue is “threatening to erode the unifying power of our game.” Later in the memo, he proposed a solution that would “include such elements as an in-season platform to promote the work of our players on these core issues.”
Malcolm Jenkins, the voice of equality and heart and soul of our defense, will not be deterred by Goodell’s requests. “I don’t think this would stop anybody from trying to push for change push for justice. Players have always kind of moved around, found new ways.”
Jenkins went on to say, “I think that would be an unfortunate decision if [a mandate in respect to the anthem is] all that came out of it, if there was no effort to replace the platform that guys have been using to draw attention to issues in our country. I don’t think that would go over well.”
The national anthem protests should be the least of Roger Goodell’s worries. The players, specifically Jenkins, are active in their communities with their efforts to raise awareness to their social injustice. Taking away their platform without giving them a contingency plan is a bad move on the commissioner’s part. These guys are putting their livelihood at stake week in and week out to put on a show for the fans. The least they can do is raise a fist during the Anthem to raise awareness to their cause.
Do the right thing for once, Roger, let your players have this one.
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