Texans owner Bob McNair apologized on Friday for his “we can’t have the inmates running the prison” remark regarding fellow NFL owners allowing kneeling protests to continue:
Statement from Texans Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert C. McNair: pic.twitter.com/EXdwKZ4y4x
— Texans PR (@TexansPR) October 27, 2017
The remark was made at the NFL owners meeting in NYC last week. From the New York Times:
Houston Texans owner Bob McNair apologized on Friday for a remark he made last week about “inmates running the prison” if N.F.L. owners allowed players to continue to sit or kneel during the national anthem, but the apology appears to have done little to appease his own players.
McNair made the comment among 11 owners and a dozen players, many of them African-Americans who have demonstrated during the anthem to highlight a lack of attention to racial oppression. The players and owners were seeking common ground on the issue at a meeting at N.F.L. headquarters in Manhattan.
When discussion turned to whether the league ought to clamp down on the protests, McNair suggested it should because “we can’t have the inmates running the prison.” The comment was taken as insensitive and demeaning to the players.
But as you might imagine, players weren’t happy about the comment and even threatened to boycott practice today:
Duane Brown said players met before practice and decided to practice ultimately but it's not over and players will reconvene
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 27, 2017
Texans players wanted to walkout today in response to owner Bob McNair’s comments, per @sarahbarshop. Had to be persuaded to stay.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 27, 2017
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to skip practice, reportedly because of McNair’s comment:
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins’ absence from practice today was related to Bob McNair’s comments, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 27, 2017
Texans' DeAndre Hopkins skipped practice after owner's comments https://t.co/JVdl3ugzrp via @HoustonChron
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 27, 2017
Offensive lineman Duane Brown laid into McNair with reporters after practice today:
Duane Brown on Bob McNair 'I think the comments were disrespectful and ignorant'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 27, 2017
Duane Brown: 'There's 1,000 emotions going through your mind One emotion is to leave the building completely, but we decided to go to work'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 27, 2017
Brown’s wife, Devi, wasn’t happy with McNair, too:
My husband has put his BODY & MIND on the line for your team for 10 YRS & to you he is an “inmate”. You owe these players RESPECT & support https://t.co/RJWqgBb2NE
— DEVI BROWN (@DeviBrown) October 27, 2017
Texans rookie Treston Decoud tweeted that he thinks other owners have similar feelings toward the players:
I don’t believe he is the only owner that feel that way… smh
— Treston Decoud (@_TD31) October 27, 2017
Coach Bill O’Brien told reporters that he’s “100 percent with these players”:
O'Brien on Mr. McNair statement: "It's been addressed. I'm 100 percent with these players."
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 27, 2017
Keep an eye on this as it’s sure to be an issue on Sunday when Houston takes on the Seattle Seahawks. Here’s Seattle DB Richard Sherman:
Richard Sherman had plenty to say about "We can't have inmates running the prison" comment by Texans owner Bob McNair. #Seahawks vs HOU Sun. pic.twitter.com/wbnLv2ZTVF
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) October 27, 2017
Stay tuned.
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Related:
ICYMI: If kneeling NFL players won't get you to boycott the Super Bowl, this certainly will: Justin Timberlake https://t.co/31K1raknQo
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 23, 2017
Just a COWARD! Katie Pavlich LEVELS Roger Goodell for fence-sitting about the NFL and National Anthem https://t.co/cvffJ8K5Xz
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 19, 2017
ICYMI ==> WAY too late? NFL commish Roger Goodell describes what he'd like league to 'stay out of' https://t.co/pMGg3gXnVY
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 19, 2017
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