Report: NFL and NFLPA Not “Very Close” to Reaching Anthem Protest Solution

Hopes of getting all players to stand at attention are flagging.

Miami Dolphins players kneel during the national anthem before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 13, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins players kneel during the national anthem before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 13, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Last month, the NFL and the NFL Players Association announced they were working together to come up with a solution to the league’s ongoing issue with the National Anthem protests.

Unfortunately for anyone who is either tired of President Trump’s tweets about the situation or angry over the act itself, the groups have had “amicable discussions,” but a solution is not very close, Peter King reported.

According to one of King’s sources, there has been some progress on the issue, but there is doubt there will be a solution that ends with all players standing at attention during the Anthem.

As King points out, that is going to be a problem because Trump will attack the NFL for allowing kneeling — even if it is just a handful of players who kneel.

He also makes a suggestion to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:

“Though the two sides are making some progress, Goodell needs to lead now, lead this league out of a controversy that’s lasted too long and threatens a second season,” King writes. “One thing that might work is the NFL giving the aggrieved players a game week this season when, instead of another pink week for breast cancer or another camouflage week to support the troops, players could be on NFL Network, NFL.com and other league media partners to press their case for social equality. I doubt that will stop the more radical players from protesting during the anthem, but it does make the NFL less of a target.”

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.