Goodell attempts to sidestep NFL protest backlash
The league’s commissioner said ‘everyone should stand for the national anthem,’ but he stopped short of enforcing the policy, remaining vague in his statements to reporters.
The NFL’s player protest PR headache is far from over.
After meeting with National Football League team owners, the organization’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, addressed reporters at a press conference. His aim was to stem backlash over players kneeling during the national anthem.
However, Goodell’s response didn’t do much to alleviate the NFL’s troubles.
Responding to a series of questions about pro football players’ protests, Goodell said that while only “about a half a dozen players” continue to kneel for the national anthem, “we’re going to continue to work to try to put that at zero.”
Goodell said that he “didn’t discuss” whether NFL teams would or would not discipline players who continued to kneel. He also said he has not spoken with President Donald Trump about the protests.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
