Facing backlash, Miami Dolphins owner says he won't force players to stand during anthem
NEW YORK -- Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he won't force his players to stand for the national anthem, even though he believes kneeling is a counterproductive way to promote social justice. His statement came after the New York Daily News reported that he said all Dolphins players will stand for the anthem in 2018. Ross was in New York on Monday to be honored by the Jackie Robinson Foundation and receive its ROBIE Lifetime Achievement Award.
"I have no intention of forcing our players to stand during the anthem, and I regret that my comments have been misconstrued," Ross said in his statement. "I've shared my opinion with all our players: I'm passionate about the cause of social justice, and I feel that kneeling is an ineffective tactic that alienates more people than it enlists."
Meanwhile, the Houston Texans on Monday denied a Houston Chronicle report that said the team wouldn't sign players who protested during the anthem. A team statement said the report is "categorically false and without merit."
Last year, nearly the entire Texans team knelt during the anthem after team owner Bob McNair likened the ongoing protests to "inmates running the prison."
Colin Kaepernick started the NFL anthem movement when he was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 to protest racial inequality and police brutality. President Trump has criticized the movement, saying it's disrespectful to service members.
"I know our players care about the military and law enforcement too," Ross said in his statement, "because I've seen the same players who are fighting for social justice engaging positively with law enforcement and the military. I care passionately that the message of social justice resonates far and wide, and I will continue to support and fund efforts for those who fight for equality for all."
CBS Sports columnist Bill Reiter joined CBSN on Tuesday and said the news will likely be divisive with players. He said some players will embrace Ross' decision as a sign of patriotism while other players who will feel it infringes their right to use their platform to express themselves.
Reiter said Ross' decision and the Houston Chronicle report could affect some players decision to sign with the Dolphins and Texans. He explained that NFL players who trying to prove themselves might not risk protesting but superstars who have the latitude to protest will definitely think twice about joining teams with perspectives similar to the Dolphins and Texans.
The NFL Players Association welcomed the clarification from both teams, saying in a statement Tuesday that it "expect[s] all other NFL teams to maintain the same commitment to protecting" the rights of players to express their views:
Statement on Players' Right to Demonstrate pic.twitter.com/JRfDiQ3Qf5
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) March 6, 2018
Dolphins players Julius Thomas, Michael Thomas and Kenny Stills knelt during the anthem before games last season. At one point coach Adam Gase established a team rule requiring players either to stand for the anthem or stay in the tunnel.
When protesting players told Gase waiting in the tunnel was interfering with their game preparation, he relaxed the rule and allowed them to resume their sideline kneeling.
Stills was the Dolphins' nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which honors involvement in the community and performance on the field. He's expected to be back with Miami with 2018, but Julius Thomas and Michael Thomas are less likely to return.