Subscribe
Follow Us
President Donald Trump made a controversial statement about NFL players kneeling during the national anthem recently, and it has sent shockwaves throughout the league. Many NFL owners expressed their disgust with Trump's comments and have decided to make a statement of their own with Mark Davis of the Oakland Raiders being one of those owners to speak out.
Last year, Davis made it clear to his players that he didn't want them protesting in their Raiders uniforms. After Trump made his controversial statement expressing his stance on the matter, Davis has changed his approach to the situation as he told Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.
“About a year ago, before our Tennessee game, I met with Derek Carr and Khalil Mack to ask their permission to have Tommie Smith light the torch for my father before the game in Mexico City,” Davis said. “I explained to them that I was asking their permission because I had previously told them that I would prefer that they not protest while in the Raiders uniform. And should they have something to say, once their uniform was off, I might go up there with them. Over the last year, though, the streets have gotten hot and there has been a lot of static in the air and recently, fuel has been added to the fire. I can no longer ask our team to not say something while they are in a Raider uniform. The only thing I can ask them to do is do it with class. Do it with pride. Not only do we have to tell people there is something wrong, we have to come up with answers. That’s the challenge in front of us as Americans and human beings.”
On Sunday, the Raiders will go head-to-head against the Washington Redskins in the nation's capital with a few players in silver and black ready to conduct their silent protest during the national anthem.
Veteran running back Marshawn Lynch has been sitting for the national anthem since the beginning of the season, but it appears more players will join him on Sunday. The entire offensive line for the Raiders plans to kneel, and they may have some company with Davis now giving the team his blessing after Trump's comments.
