The Detroit Lions have shocked the NFL community in more ways than one. Their play on the field has been outstanding, but according to the Detroit Free Press, owner Martha Ford asked players in a team meeting last week not to kneel during the National Anthem.
Instead of kneeling for the National Anthem, Ford promised to donate not only her money but also her name to the charity of the player’s choosing. Running back Ameer Abdullah commented on the subject.
“As a team, we came together, talked to Mrs. Ford, the owners, and we understand the issues for the most part, generally. Me personally, I definitely want to be an aid in growing the social awareness in this country, that it is a race problem in this country. We do dance around the topic a lot and Mrs. Ford has come forward and said that as long as we compromise as a team and unify and make a unified demonstration, she’ll back us financially. So I’m definitely going to hold her to her word.”
Defensive end Cornelius Washington also provided his thoughts.
“She just asked us not to take a kneel and basically told us – not basically, she told us she would back and support financially as well as put her name on whatever issues that we wanted to try to attack. But as far as the kneeling, she just I guess felt like there was better ways to get the point across. And at this point, people know what we’re kneeling for so now trying to take that next step in the plan of action to foster change is, that’s the next part and that’s the part she’s willing to get behind.”
According to Pro Football Talk, two players knelt during the National Anthem on Sunday – Steve Longa and Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
Washington said Longa’s father was killed in a car accident last week and they both likely knelt for alternative reasons.
