NFL, Which Apparently Has No Power to Stop National Anthem Protests, Threatens Titans Linebacker Away From Wearing His Patriotic, "Never Forget" 9/11 Cleats

Well these players have a right to express themselves -- so long as it pushes the Social Justice Warrior line.

If it pushes any other line -- like Dallas' proposed sticker to show solidarity with the assassinated cops -- well, that's another story altogether.

A couple of police union officials said they'd pay the player's fine if he wore the cleats and the NFL fined him:

“We want him to wear the cleats and we’ll pay the fine. He [Williamson] was absolutely doing a great thing and the NFL is threatening with a fine? When is Godell going to recognize what his fan base is?

“Here’s a player honoring those who died on 9/11 with a pair of cleats that he had made up himself — it’s not like he’s kneeling during the national anthem or anything,” Colligan said, a reference to the controversial decision by San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick not to stand during the national anthem.

Did the NFL's threat work?

Well, that's the silver lining.

Williamson wore the cleats.

Titans linebacker Avery Williamson came out of the tunnel wearing his custom patriotic cleats for the season opener against the Vikings on Sunday, the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Williamson originally planned to wear the cleats to honor those who died, changed his mind when an NFL representative called to inform him about a looming fine for violating uniform code, and changed his mind once again Saturday night after The Tennessean's report about the situation went viral. Several of his teammates offered to help pay the fine if he wore the cleats, as did four New York and New Jersey police associations, including the union that represents the police department that patrols the World Trade Center complex....

Williamson is auctioning the cleats to benefit Operation Warrior Wishes, plus offering a meet and greet, two VIP tickets to a Titans home game and an autographed jersey.

Well, I suppose the NFL will now execute its threat and fine him.

Meanwhile, other players are politicizing the game while the NFL issues supportive statements about their right to do so.

posted by Ace at 02:40 PM

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