Protests have been taking part around the NFL in response to some words by President Donald Trump calling for the firing of any players who choose not to stand during the national anthem. Sunday was a big day where much of the NFL decided to have a showing of solidarity against those comments, but the Carolina Panthers were notably absent from this unified demonstration.
The only person who protested was Julius Peppers, who simply stayed in the locker room during the anthem. Ron Rivera was clear that he supports Peppers in his actions, even though he had himself encouraged the team to stand for the anthem. What wasn’t clear, however, was the way that team owner Jerry Richardson felt about the event. He did not release a statement on Sunday like many of the other owner’s did, choosing to do so on Monday instead. It was as follows:
Statement from Panthers Owner/Founder Jerry Richardson pic.twitter.com/aTDcTkfIRW
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 25, 2017
None of this should be surprising to a long time fan of the Panthers. Richardson is very much on record about the importance of the NFL brand, and keeping the focus on it during games. It follows then, that he would not make such a statement on a Sunday. This statement, I believe, is probably one of the more honest ones you might have read... but it doesn’t make clear in any way how we feels, or how he expects his players to act. The players were so concerned about that fact, that many of them chose not to protest on Sunday, and were frustrated that they felt they COULDN’T do so. Thus, the Tuesday meeting with Jerry Richardson.
The outcome of the meeting was unknown until today, when Captain Munnerlyn revealed to reporters the following:
Captain Munnerlyn said message from Jerry Richardson after meeting with players was players don't have to be worried about repercussions.
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) September 27, 2017
Munnerlyn says it's good for the team owner to have your back.
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) September 27, 2017
Munnerlyn himself wasn’t involved in the meeting, but this is what was relayed to him by his teammates. It’s a clear and important message.
Jerry Richardson may not agree with the protests on the basis of their interference with NFL football, but he will not prevent or punish any player for taking action.
This is the correct decision for any NFL owner, and it has nothing to do with how any one person may view the issue. Ultimately, Jerry Richardson and the Carolina Panthers are in the business of fielding a good team to win NFL football games and hopefully a Super Bowl. In pursuit of that mission, locker room unity and happiness must be preserved.
Players must feel that the security of their jobs depends primarily on their abilities on the football field, and how they fit the strategy of their team. Of course, there are other factors, like illegal activities, that could get them fired. But they must feel certain that a LEGAL activity, such as peaceful protest, will not result in their termination. If they don’t, it becomes a distraction, it leads to decreased performance, and it becomes a dividing factor that does NOT work to the team’s mission.
I hope that yesterday’s meeting helps to put the team at ease, after what seemed like a difficult Sunday for many of them, where they felt isolated from their brothers around the league.