Papa John's apologizes, says it will work with the NFL and players to 'find a positive way forward'

Earlier this month, Papa John’s management claimed on an earnings conference call that the NFL national anthem protests had hurt the company’s sales. CEO John Schnatter blamed NFL leadership for the “current debacle.”

Of course, barely a day had passed before sites like ThinkProgress were publishing headlines like, “Papa John’s CEO blames black athletes for disappointing pizza sales.”

Now, two weeks later, Papa John’s is saying that it is open to working with players and the league — anyone but neo-Nazis — to find a “positive way forward.”

The statements made on our earnings call were describing the factors that impact our business and we sincerely apologize to anyone that thought they were divisive. That definitely was not our intention. (1/3)

— Papa John's Pizza (@PapaJohns) November 15, 2017

We believe in the right to protest inequality and support the players’ movement to create a new platform for change. We also believe together, as Americans, we should honor our anthem. There is a way to do both. (2/3)

— Papa John's Pizza (@PapaJohns) November 15, 2017

We will work with the players and league to find a positive way forward. Open to ideas from all. Except neo-nazis — ?those guys. (3/3)

— Papa John's Pizza (@PapaJohns) November 15, 2017

All good now?

https://twitter.com/rachelkiley/status/930598029219938304

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We hear you. We just want to be clear that we support the players’ movement to create a new platform for change. We want to help if we can.

— Papa John's Pizza (@PapaJohns) November 15, 2017

“A new platform for change” — what we used to call the national anthem.

Nope, too late.

When you acknowledge that the kneeling protests ONE thing only, specifically police brutality against minorities, and that the protests do not disrespect either the military nor our flag, THEN I MIGHT consider eating your shitty pizza again.

I really doubt it.

— Juliethe RealJules (@JTRJules) November 15, 2017

We get it. We understand and will work to gain back your trust.

— Papa John's Pizza (@PapaJohns) November 15, 2017

We just glad not to be running Papa John’s social media accounts tonight.

Papa John really putting this statement out tonight? Two weeks after the earnings call? LOL https://t.co/FWuGIxkymg

— Gravy Crockett (@BostonJerry) November 15, 2017

hey @PapaJohns no. no your statements weren't about business they were about race because your owner is a racist asshole. He said what he believed & he has that choice. We as people have a choice not help him get any richer: https://t.co/JZDJxAdbLA

— I am Danielle Anne Baum (@ashuping) November 15, 2017

I wonder how much of a sales dive they were seeing to release this so far after the fact. Must have been trending really poorly. https://t.co/VRMzWkh3DM

— Joseph Bauer (@jobu415) November 15, 2017

Things are still not going well at the official pizza of neo-Nazis. https://t.co/bdrhLhcxUR

— JoeMyGod (@JoeMyGod) November 15, 2017

https://twitter.com/jnsanchez/status/930594491291103232

Nah…the intention was clear.

You dog-whistled to white supremacists. https://t.co/PYUPjagOtT

— *you're (@RKJ65) November 15, 2017

* * *

Related:

It’s TRUE, it’s DAMN true! Iowahawk’s take on Papa John’s Twitter outrage is LAVA HOT https://t.co/loD8V4LUAB

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 3, 2017