“I am aware that my involvement in this movement means that my career may face the same outcome as Colin’s.” - Former San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid, on facing free agency after kneeling for two seasons
With NFL free agency looming, attention is once again refocusing its lens on the implications of player protests in the league — and whether Colin Kaepernick’s inability to find a job will become a trend or an outlier.
One of the bigger stories from the regular season surrounded Houston Texans owner Bob McNair when he made comments that compared players to inmates during a league meeting with members of the NFLPA. Now, with free agency set to start next week, there have been reports suggesting that agents feel McNair’s Texans could be unwilling to sign any players who participated in protests this season, although the Texans were quick to deny those reports amidst all the criticism. McNair wasn't the only owner forced to backpedal on protest comments this week, as Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said Monday that "all of our players will be standing" for the anthem in 2018, only to come out a day later and say those comments were "misconstrued."
The general ethos of a team without distraction from activism could be happening out west, too. The Seattle Seahawks traded outspoken defensive lineman Michael Bennett to Philadelphia and recently released cornerback Richard Sherman, who has been nothing but outspoken since entering the NFL. In San Francisco, Eric Reid’s contract is up and he fears that finding a job could be difficult for him as he kneeled by Kaepernick’s side for the entirety of the 2016 season and continued his participation in player activism last season. Kaepernick himself was back in the news this week, when it was reported that the Ravens spoke with a military official during the 2017 season and that official was said to not be a fan of the team bringing in the former 49ers QB.
Depending on how free agency goes, this is a story that could pick up even more steam heading into the draft and the 2018 season. If players like Reid find themselves jobless, we could see more fans opting out of watching the NFL as their own form of silent protest against a league ostensibly blackballing those who chose to have a voice.
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USA Gymnastics promises change - The national governing body of the sport laid out plans to reform in the aftermath of the Larry Nassar saga. Meanwhile, Aly Raisman is suing Nassar, USAG and the U.S. Olympic Committee over the lack of protection from his abuse. Nassar's first male accuser, Jacob Moore, made his first public statements on "The Today Show" earlier this week.
Lawsuit details rape allegation towards volleyball coach - Rick Butler, recently barred for life from coaching volleyball, was named in a class-action lawsuit filed in Illinois by the mother of an alleged victim.
Mark Cuban on assault allegations - There are questions about what the NBA will do with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban after sexual assault allegations against him in 2011 were brought to light this week. This comes on the heels of a damning report about an "Animal House"-like culture in the Mavericks front office. Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle called the accusations against Cuban "the most insidious form" of fake news.
Dwyane Wade visits Stoneman Douglas - Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade made a surprise visit to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, detailing a great conversation with students and relaying his concerns about gun violence. In another good story borne from tragedy, Tyler Goodman, quarterback for the school’s football team, will play for Nichols College , the Massachusetts school that sent recruiters to scout him the day of the shooting. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr will participate in a town hall discussion on gun violence at a Bay Area high school.
Could Megan Barry’s resignation impact Nashville sports? - The now-former mayor, who resigned amid scandal, was prominent in helping the city secure an expansion Major League Soccer franchise, and was a big supporter of the NHL’s Predators and NFL’s Titans.
NFL prospect asked about sexuality at combine - The league deemed a question asked by an unnamed team to LSU running back Derrius Guice as “completely inappropriate and wholly contrary to league workplace policies.” The Human Rights Campaign, among many others, condemned the questioning in a statement.
Royals hosted anti-pornography seminar - The Kansas City Royals hosted a seminar conducted by an anti-pornography organization for their players and coaches. The workshop, of course, has its critics.
A model for paying college athletes - In the wake of more controversy surrounding the NCAA, Deadspin’s Patrick Hruby presented an idea on how to compensate student-athletes. Meanwhile, the previously mentioned Steve Kerr says that undrafted underclassmen should be given a chance to come back into the NCAA.
Trump tee markers nearly violated federal law - The Trump Organization removed golf tee markers adorned with the presidential seal from Trump International.
Manfred upset over West Virginia gambling bill - MLB commissioner Rob Manfred believes that a bill sitting before the West Virginia State Senate is “fundamentally flawed” as it lacks “no protections toward the integrity of the sport.” There is a debate, however, over potential “integrity fees” that leagues want included in new state laws on legalized gambling.
Soccer exec apologizes for comments - Martin Glenn, the top executive for England’s Football Association, apologized for invoking swastikas and the Star of David in comments regarding a yellow ribbon worn by Pep Guardiola, manager for Manchester City. Guardiola said Glenn didn’t understand what the ribbon actually means.
Ohio AG, city of Columbus to sue Crew, MLS - The relationship between the Columbus Crew and its current home reached another level of animosity as the city of Columbus and the state’s attorney general are suing the team and league to block owner Anthony Precourt from moving the team to Austin, Texas.
Philadelphia Union’s waterfront vision, ten years later - It’s been a decade since Talen Energy Stadium, home to the MLS’ Union, opened its doors, but it hasn’t been the boon that was promised to the city of Chester thanks to stalled development and the team’s seemingly distant relationship with Delaware County.
Racism and youth soccer in Idaho - A soccer coach moved to a conservative community that reflected his values, but was appalled by the racism his team, full of refugee children, faces every time it plays.
Is the athlete’s word considered journalism? - The Players’ Tribune has made a mark in sports media with athletes themselves telling their own stories, yet there’s a simmering debate about its journalistic integrity.
This week in sports and politics history: Female MLB reporters fight for locker room access
"All I and other female sportswriters want is a chance to compete on an equal level with the men. Without access to the locker room, that is not often possible." - Melissa Ludtke
Fitting that International Women's Day fell this week given that it also marks the 39th anniversary of then-Major League Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn ordering teams to grant equal access to the locker room to female reporters. To be clear, baseball was resistant of the change long before Kuhn's edict. In fact, it was the New York Yankees' refusal during the 1977 World Series to let Sports Illustrated reporter Melissa Ludtke in the locker room that prompted the journalist and her employer to file a discrimination lawsuit against MLB and Kuhn. A federal court agreed with her, declaring that not letting Ludtke in the locker room was preventing her from doing her job, which was a violation of her 14th Amendment rights.
The following season, the Yankees complied with the court, but not without making a spectacle about it. Finally, on March 9, 1979, Kuhn issued his ruling. And while the decision was monumental in the broader historical context, it turned out that having women around in the locker room wasn't that big of a deal.
"Often when I was in locker rooms in the '70s, players would politely ask me to return in five minutes, after they had dressed," Ludtke recounted in an October 1990 Time article. "The point is, there are sensible ways to make this work for everybody, without making it impossible for women to report sports or humiliating those who choose to do so."
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