“We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest,” Goodell said.
Goodell’s stance came shortly after President Donald Trump said he supports New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who said it is disrespectful to kneel during the national anthem.
“We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on heart,” Trump said on Twitter. “There are other things you can protest, but not our Great American Flag—NO KNEELING!”
The New Orleans Saints star quarterback issued a public apology Thursday after he was excoriated by teammates, other athletes, and fans for saying he “will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States.”
“We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities,” he said.
Trump responded that he is “a big fan of Drew Brees,” and that he should not have “taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag” and bowed to outside pressure.
“It has been a difficult time for our country. In particular, black people in our country,” Goodell said. “First, my condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and all the families who have endured police brutality. We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people.”
“Without black players, there would be no National Football League. And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of black players, coaches, fans and staff. We are listening. I am listening, and I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family,” Goodell stated.
Floyd’s death has ignited nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality.
