In a move that will likely draw several temper tantrums and threats from Donald Trump, the NFL is reportedly going to honor victims of police brutality and racial injustice by playing what is known as the “Black national anthem” prior to the start of every Week 1 match-up, including nationally-televised games.
As we all know, Trump has repeatedly lashed out at the NFL over players kneeling during the “Star-Spangled Banner,” insisting that players who do so are disrespecting the flag and the military — even though it was a retired member of the military who advised former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to take a knee instead of merely sitting down during the national anthem as he had originally planned.
Now the NFL has a plan of its own to bring attention to the plight of the Black community by playing two anthems on the first game day of the 2020 season.
According to USA Today:
Starting with the nationally televised regular-season opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 10, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ also known as the Black national anthem, will be performed before every Week 1 kickoff, before ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ according to a person familiar with ongoing discussions. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because plans have not yet been finalized and announced by NFL officials.
Both anthems will be televised Sunday afternoon, and on ‘Sunday Night Football’ and ‘Monday Night Football’ contests as well. ESPN’s ‘Undefeated’ first reported news of these plans.
The person said after brainstorming with numerous players and the NFL Players Association, NFL officials also plan to honor victims of police brutality through elements such as helmet decals or jerseys. It’s also expected that the Week 1 broadcasts will feature a number of educational PSAs about victims and their families.”
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As Joe Biden would say, this is a “big f*ckin’ deal,” and it will undoubtedly result in Trump losing his sh*t on Twitter and during press conferences and rally speeches. There’s no way he won’t whine and b*tch about this decision by the NFL. But the NFL just took a huge step forward and should just tell Trump to go f*ck himself if he wants to be a snowflake about it. Now all the league has to do is bring Kaepernick back to correct an injustice that never should have occurred in the first place.
Featured image via Flickr/Gage Skidmore, under Creative Commons license 2.0
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