NFL Players Union files grievance against NFL's new national anthem policy

The NFL Players Association announced Tuesday it filed a grievance against the league's new national anthem policy.

The Union released the following statement:

The NFLPA union filed its non-injury grievance today on behalf of all players challenging the NFL’s recently imposed anthem policy. The union’s claim is that this new policy, imposed by the NFL’s governing body without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights.

In advance of our filing today, we proposed to the NFL to begin confidential discussions with the NFLPA Executive Committee to find a solution to this issue instead of immediately proceeding with litigation. The NFL has agreed to proceed with those discussions and we look forward to starting them soon.

Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins responds to Donald Trump’s cancellation of team's White House visit

Social Activist and Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins released a statement on Tuesday after President Donald Trump threw a tantrum and made the childish decision to cancel the Eagles’ White House invitation after finding out that most of the players were not coming. Read his statement below:

#TheFightContinues pic.twitter.com/QWDdvZgQNL

— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) June 5, 2018

Dem. Congressman ‘Sees Nothing Wrong’ With Changing The National Anthem

Illinois Democratic Rep. Danny Davis says he sees ‘nothing wrong’ with the California ACLU’s effort to ban the Star Spangled Banner as the country’s national anthem.

“Well, you know, one of the things about the Constitution that our forefathers wrote, and basically, there were none of our foremothers that were there. There were none of our fore-sisters there. There are changes that can take place and there is room to change,” he told TheDC Thursday.

Alice Huffman, president of the California chapter of the NAACP, declared the anthem to be “racist” and that it “doesn’t represent our community. It’s anti-black people,” SFGate.com, reported Wednesday. The NAACP is hoping for lawmakers to change it.

Davis, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus went on to say, “Intellectually, if people continue to pursue this nation to become perfected, then I see nothing wrong with that. I mean it was designed, I think they said, to form a more perfect union.”

He added, “They didn’t say that it was perfect at the time, but they did say that we could continue to pursue perfection and if they’re individuals who think that we can make the national anthem more perfect in terms of the goals and objectives of this country then I say so be it.”

The NAACP referenced the anthem’s third verse, which is seldom sung and includes the line, “no refuge could save the hireling and slave from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.”

The Star Spangled Banner was written in 1814 by Frances Scott Key at a time when slavery was legal in the United States.

[SOURCE: THEDC]

Florida Marlins Co-Owner Derek Jeter: It's OK if Marlins players want to take a knee

Derek Jeter wouldn’t say whether he would take a knee during the national anthem if he still were playing, but the Marlins’ new co-owner and future Hall of Famer wouldn’t have a problem if one of his players chose to protest social injustice and police brutality by doing so.

“Peaceful protest is fine,” the Miami CEO said Wednesday at the 21st annual Turn 2 Foundation Dinner at Cipriani on Wall Street. “You have a right to voice your opinion, as long as it’s a peaceful protest.”

As a player, Jeter rarely discussed social issues. But when asked his feelings about athletes taking a knee, which has become a major topic of discussion since former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee last year as a form of protest and has been followed by many other NFL players, he had no problem sharing his opinion. One MLB player, Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell, has taken a knee. Growing up biracial in Michigan, Jeter faced racism, and has said it shaped his life.

“The thing that I think is probably frustrating with this whole rhetoric that’s going back and forth is people lose sight of why someone was kneeling,” Jeter said. “They’re focused so much on the fact they are kneeling, as opposed to what they are kneeling for.

[SOURCE: NY POST]

Mothers of NFL players send open letter to Trump in defense of their sons

The Professional Football Players Mothers Association has sent an open letter to Donald Trump in response to his attack on them and their sons over his mistaken view that they are degrading the American Flag. Read that letter below:

Sevyn Streeter to sing anthem at 76ers game on Dec. 16

After not allowing Sevyn Streeter to perform the national anthem because she wore a shirt that read "We Matter" the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to let her sing the national anthem on December 16. Both the 76ers and Streeter released statements on this agreement. Read those statements below.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS STATEMENT

"After thoughtful conversation, the 76ers and Sevyn Streeter have worked together to develop a plan we hope will bring meaningful action to the Philadelphia community. Sevyn has accepted our offer to return to perform the national anthem on Friday, December 16th vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. She will also be joining the organization in our ongoing efforts in the community by partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia. Additionally, the Sixers will make a donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia."

SEVYN STREETER STATEMENT:

"After a meaningful dialogue with the 76ers organization, I have accepted their apology. In order to move forward, it was important to me that we take action and use this as an opportunity to create positive change and dialogue throughout the community. The Sixers and I plan to work together through multiple community outreach programs to promote inclusion and acceptance. Our first initiative will be with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, to whom they are graciously making a donation. I am also looking forward to returning to Philadelphia in December to perform the national anthem wearing my 'We Matter' jersey at the 76ers game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers."

Sen. Cory Booker speaks on Colin Kaepernick protest.

New Jersey senator Cory Booker spoke with HuffPost to talk about Colin Kaepernick's recent protest during the national anthem. While not agreeing with Kaepernick's form of protest Booker makes it clear that we should be discussing the reasons for the protest. Watch that video below.

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Colin Kaepernick: Police union rescinds boycott threat of 49ers games

Looks like the power of easy overtime beat out the power of faux outrage...George L. Cook III African AmericanReports.Com

The union for the police officers who patrol San Francisco 49ers games at Levi’s Stadium rescinded its boycott threat Thursday, nearly a week after the association proclaimed its members could decline assignments at the facility amid quarterback Colin Kaepernick's recent protests.

The Santa Clara Police Officers' Association wrote in a statement that it “will encourage our officers to work 49ers games and other stadium events.” The union cited the change in its stance to a statement put out a day earlier by Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor, who thanked the city’s police officers for their dedication and asked them to work the games.

In a letter sent to the 49ers last Friday, the Santa Clara Police Officers' Association said its officers could opt not to patrol Levi’s Stadium and the 49ers' headquarters over Kaepernick's pregame protest of not standing for the national anthem, the socks he wore that depicted cartoon pigs wearing police hats and his comments about police brutality.

The letter received tremendous attention, but by the middle of this week, no officer had apparently declined to work the games over Kaepernick.

[SOURCE]