NFL plans to play Black national anthem before the Star Spangled Banner during Week 1 games
By Jason Reid
ESPN
July 2, 2020
"Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing," traditionally known as the Black national anthem, is expected to be performed live or played before every Week 1 NFL game, and the league is considering a variety of other measures during the upcoming season to recognize victims of police brutality, a source familiar with the league's discussions told The Undefeated on Thursday.
The song would be performed before "The Star-Spangled Banner," the source said. The NFL's season opener is scheduled for Sept. 10, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans.
Having recently displayed increased awareness about the problems of systemic racism, the NFL, in collaboration with the NFL Players Association, is also considering listing the names of victims on uniforms through decals on helmets or patches on jerseys. The NFL also may produce educational programs about victims, among other plans.
Early last month, commissioner Roger Goodell in a video admitted that the league had erred in how it handled peaceful NFL player protests of police brutality and systemic oppression. Goodell condemned racism and affirmed that Black lives matter, pledging his allegiance to the players in the battle for equal justice under the law.
Also in June, the league revealed plans to increase its social justice footprint by pledging to donate $250 million over a 10-year period.
The league hopes its efforts demonstrate "a genuine commitment to the public, players and coaches and that player voices continue to be heard," the source wrote in a text message. "This is key to educating fans, and becoming a prominent voice in the fight to end racism."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Listing the names of blacks killed by the police on uniforms through decals on helmets or patches on jerseys is an unwarranted public shaming of the police. Fuck the now police-hating NFL!
3 comments:
I must be old. I remember when the NFL was interesting in playing football rather than pretending they were a social messaging service.
I won't be watching any NFL games this year. The middle class season ticket holders will disappear in droves. The veterans will leave. There is only one National Anthem. I would never stand for anything else. I predict the demise of the NFL. Good riddance.
So how is listing the names of blacks killed by police different from the police releasing the names of people arrested (not convicted)? Don't get me wrong, I think the NFL is crazy for some of the current decisions, but if the cops shame the public what's wrong with the public shaming the police?
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