Editor’s Note: There’s going to be a lot of swearing in this, so if that’s not your bag, I’m sorry. I’m just so fucking mad. If it is your bag, buckle up, we’re going in.
I’m going to be brief because we have covered this so many times over the last few years, and you can read those pieces here, here, here, and here. Frankly, it’s not that we’re surprised that the NFL can’t say anything of fucking value. It seems that the NFL, and more specifically the white members of its fraternity, need a few trial runs to get their statement right. So here’s the third version:
A couple of things to start off with.
The Washington Redskins are still called the fucking Washington Redskins. If you’re looking for a place to start, Roger, it’s there. You’ve got to be kidding me with this, right? Want to follow through on this promise? Start right the fuck there.
Secondly, you and the 32 other teams in the league settled with Eric Reid and Colin Kaepernick after they sued because you blacklisted them after their peaceful protests gained the wrong kind of attention. It was tough for the league to have that going on, right? Can’t have people disrespecting the flag like that, Roger. Not when Drew Brees needs to think about his grandparents.
Where was this 3 days ago, or 3 months ago, or 3 fucking years ago? Do you admit that you have been a big part of that systemic racism? Or is it just for the views? Did you mean any of the stuff you said before? Or were you just work shopping some different options to see which one would upset your racist white fans the least?
The NFL is responsible for adding to the racial divide in the country and, frankly, the fact that you cannot admit your fault is abso-fucking-lutely absurd. If you cannot see that you’ve been a massive part of the problem, then this statement rings so damn hollow that you might as well call it the Grand Canyon.
“We, the NFL, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.”
YOU MADE A RULE THAT SHUT DOWN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PLAYERS TO BE ON THE FIELD IF THEY WEREN’T GOING TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN STAND FOR THE ANTHEM. YOU DIDN’T JUST ‘NOT LISTEN’, YOU SHUT THEM UP. DO YOU WANT CREDIT FOR FINALLY COMING AROUND TO THE DECENT POINT OF VIEW? TO THE CORRECT OPINION? GET OUTTA HERE WITH THAT NOISE.
You know what happened here, Roger? A video, involving many of your top black players, came out with a more cohesive message than you and your PR team could have ever thought of. And you know what it did? It united everyone in a heartbeat.
In one video, your black stars brought football fans together in a way you never could. The divide you manufactured between players and fans, owners and coaches, and people of color and whites with opportunities in your league cannot be mended with a little video from your basement, Roger.
You gotta prove you mean it.
And you have track record of proving us wrong.
“I personally protest with you and wanted to be part of the much-needed change in this country.”
I would LOVE to see you take a knee, Roger. That’s all I want in this world. And, frankly, that’s a good start. It is the least you can do. Saying “Black Lives Matter” doesn’t mean anything if it’s just lip service. In the words of Martellus Bennett, “don’t sit on an elephant and tell me it’s a horse.”
“Without black players, there would be no National Football League. And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of black players, coaches, fans and staff.”
…That you amplified and poured gasoline on, Roger. My lord, are you hearing yourself? Do you not understand what you have done? The divide you have created?
“We are listening. I am listening. And I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family.”
To be clear, Roger, if you help light the house on fire, you don’t get a free fucking pass because you grabbed a hose. And if you’re looking for a way to improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family? Roger, I figured out a way you can do that.
Resign.
