” Im not concerned due to the fact that Im supportive of everything thats involved in terms of attempting to create attention and change,” Lurie stated throughout a 48-minute Zoom conference with media on Sunday. Lurie attended to a wide variety of topics. During a 17-minute opening monologue he stated that the country is dealing with “2 terrible pandemics”– systemic racism and COVID-19. Last week, Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott said it was “ludicrous” that the NFL would enable such distinctions. Said Lurie, “Whatever the pandemic brings … lets welcome it.”.
After the short-lived shutdown of the NBA playoffs spread out across the sports landscape last week as players opposed the authorities shooting of Jacob Blake and other racial problems, Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is apparently braced for the possibility of a comparable boycott in the NFL..
” Im not worried since Im encouraging of everything thats associated with terms of trying to create attention and change,” Lurie stated throughout a 48-minute Zoom conference with media on Sunday. “Ive constantly been that way. And if we need to sacrifice, we need to sacrifice.”.
Thats a striking statement from an NFL owner, particularly provided the history of a league that successfully black-balled Colin Kaepernick after the still-banished quarterback ignited a movement in 2016 by kneeling during the nationwide anthem.
As activism intensifies and many NFL groups canceled practices last week to hold internal conversations about social concerns, its possible that some NFL gamers may press for making a statement by pulling out of games or disrupting the schedule as the league increases to open the season on Sept. 10.
Lurie stated, “I think my crucial opportunity to discuss that would be, What can we do thats truly effective? That its not just a statement however something with action included with it.
” I respect the NBA gamers. They were certainly able to reschedule the games they missed out on, but just coming together and taking a stand, I appreciate that totally.
” Weve had a history in our country of having professional athletes, mainly independently– from Muhammad Ali, John Carlos and the 1968 Olympics, the list goes on and on, all the method through current times. Its good to see that teams and leagues now in partnership can come together and show the nation that these are real essential concerns.”.
Lurie contended that the NFL “needs to be out front leading the way” in trying to influence changes that resolve social issues that consist of police cruelty and systemic bigotry.
As that relate to a possible boycott, Lurie included, “Im not stressed because I know our gamers will do whats best.”.
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Lurie resolved a large range of subjects. Throughout a 17-minute opening monologue he said that the nation is handling “two horrible pandemics”– systemic bigotry and COVID-19. :.
♦ The Eagles are providing their house arena, Lincoln Financial Field, to be used as a polling center for the upcoming presidential election. Lurie said that in addition to closing the groups headquarters on Election Day, team personnel would be readily available to work citizen registration drives.
♦ The anti-semitic statements on social networks this summertime by Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson were “revolting and appalling,” Lurie stated.
♦ Lurie accepts the competitive imbalance that could include some groups preparing to phase home games with varying levels of fans in presence, while other teams will play house games in empty arenas. Last week, Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott stated it was “ludicrous” that the NFL would allow such distinctions. Said Lurie, “Whatever the pandemic brings … lets accept it.”.
♦ Asked to review Kaepernicks protest in 2016 and the NFLs action, Lurie echoed the company line spin expressed by commissioner Roger Goodell, maintaining that the NFL “didnt listen all right.”.
Follow USA TODAY Sports Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell.
