NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held a information convention as we speak after the second day of the annual homeowners assembly. Watch his remarks within the participant above.
NFL gamers might be inspired to face for the nationwide anthem initially of the soccer video games, the league’s chief advised reporters as we speak.
After two days of assembly with homeowners of every NFL workforce, representatives for the gamers’ union and gamers themselves, the NFL has reiterated its resolution to maintain its current coverage of not requiring gamers to face in the course of the anthem. Goodell stated yesterday that the league wouldnot instate a rule that may penalize gamers who refuse to face for the anthem.
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“We imagine everybody ought to stand for the nationwide anthem,” he advised reporters at a information convention as we speak. “That’s an vital a part of our coverage. It’s additionally an vital a part of our sport that all of us take nice pleasure in. And it’s additionally vital for us to honor our flag and our nation and I believe our followers count on us to try this.”
Goodell’s remarks got here after President Donald Trump continued his criticism of the NFL this morning. On Twitter, Trump stated: “The NFL has determined that it’ll not drive gamers to face for the enjoying of our Nationwide Anthem. Complete disrespect for our nice nation!”
After former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled in the course of the anthem final 12 months to protest police killings of unarmed black males, dozens of different gamers joined him to attract better consideration to social and racial injustice. Final month, Trump stated the NFL ought to fireside gamers who didn’t stand for the anthem.
The gamers “will not be doing this in any approach to be disrespectful to the flag,” Goodell stated as we speak. “However in addition they perceive the way it’s being interpreted.”
Goodell additionally stated the league wished to remain out of the political area over the problem.
“We’re not seeking to get into politics,” he advised reporters. “What we’re seeking to do is to proceed to get individuals centered on soccer.”
The publish WATCH: NFL commissioner says gamers ‘ought to stand for the nationwide anthem’ appeared first on PBS NewsHour.