In preparation for the 2020-21 NFL Season, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott delivered a strong message to his players about possibly taking a knee during the national anthem.
Per Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News, McDermott recounted how the team has responded when players decide to air out their sentiments by way of protests. For the 46-year-old, it's as simple as listening to their players and respecting their opinions.
“If you look back at how we've handled prior experiences, how we've handled it in the last couple of months here, that we are always going to support our players,” the Bills head coach said Wednesday on a Zoom conference call with Western New York reporters. “We're always going to respect their position on things. And then we're also going to do our part in listening and trying to educate ourselves, following it up with love. … That's really to me, the right way to go about things. That's what we're all about. No hidden agendas. Trying to do things the right way. It starts with respect and ends with love.”
After the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minnesota police officers, riots and various protests ensued all across the nation. Colin Kaepernick was put under the spotlight once again, as he was the first NFL player to take a knee in 2016 as a protest against social injustice and police brutality.
Kaepernick has been a free agent since then. Analysts believe that the quarterback was exiled due to his political stance. As such, the league has received much criticism for keeping mum amid the race and social issues that has been hounding the country for over a hundred years.
This time around, players, coaches, and staff, seem bent on making their voice heard. As Sean McDermott and the Bills show it, they are ready to make a stand.
Follow Us
Subscribe