NFL owners, CEOs respond to Trump comments (NFL.com)

Source: NFL


President Donald Trump, while speaking at a political rally Friday, said NFL fans should boycott games and team owners should fire players who fail to stand for the national anthem prior to games.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith both released statements early Saturday responding to the president's comments. The players are expected to respond in displays of unity on Sunday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports.

On Saturday and Sunday, NFL owners and CEOs responded as well, releasing statements disagreeing with President Trump's remarks.

New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft:

"I am deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the President on Friday. (Edit: read more at link)

New York Giants Owners John Mara and Steve Tisch:

"Comments like we heard last night from the president are inappropriate, offensive and divisive. We are proud of our players, the vast majority of whom use their NFL platform to make a positive difference in our society."

Detroit Lions Owner and Chairman Martha Firestone Ford:
(Edit: read more at link)

Miami Dolphins Owner and Founder of Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) Stephen Ross:
(Edit: read more at link)We all have the responsibility to use this platform to promote understanding, respect and equality."

Jacksonville Jaguars Owner Shad Khan:

"It was a privilege to stand on the sidelines with the Jacksonville Jaguars today for the playing of the U.S. national anthem at Wembley Stadium. I met with our team captains prior to the game to express my support for them, all NFL players and the league following the divisive and contentious remarks made by President Trump, and was honored to be arm in arm with them, their teammates and out coaches during our anthem. (Edit: read more at link)

San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York:

"The callous and offensive comments made by the president are contradictory to what this great country stands for. (Edit: read more at link)

Baltimore Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti:

We recognize our players' influence. We respect their demonstration and support them 100 percent. All voices need to be heard. That's democracy in its highest form."

Green Bay Packers Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy:
We believe it is important to support any of our players who choose to peacefully express themselves with the hope of change for good. As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely." (Edit: read more at link)

Cleveland Browns Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam:

"We view our organization, our league and our players as great unifiers of people.(Edit: read more at link)


Houston Texans Founder, Chairman and CEO Robert C. McNair:

"The NFL specifically, and football in general, has always unified our communities and families. The comments made by the President were divisive and counterproductive to what our country needs right now. (Edit: there's a lot more)

Los Angeles Rams Owner and Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke:
(Edit: read more at link)

Atlanta Falcons Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank:
(Edit: read more at link)

Tennessee Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk:

"I am proud to stand with our players and support them in their work on and off the football field. I completely agree with Commissioner Goodell that we are better off as a nation when we are unified and pulling together. (Edit: there's a lot more)


Los Angeles Chargers Owner/Chairman of the Board Dean Spanos:

"I wholeheartedly agree with the commissioner's statement. The NFL and its players, more than anything, have been a force for good. What our country needs right now is a message of unity, civility and mutual respect."

Philadelphia Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie:

"The best of us lend our compassion and determination to the aid of others.
(Edit: there's a lot more)

Denver Broncos President/CEO Joe Ellis:
(Edit: read more at link)


Buffalo Bills Owners Terry and Kim Pegula:

"President Trump's remarks were divisive and disrespectful to the entire NFL community, but we tried to use them as an opportunity to further unify our team and our organization. (Edit: there's a lot more)


Chicago Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey
(Edit: there's a lot more)

Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay:

"I am troubled by the president's recent comments about our league and our players. (Edit: there's a lot more)

Seattle Seahawks President Peter McLoughlin:

"We fully support our players' use of their freedom of speech and peaceful action to highlight the existing racial and other divides in our country. Our players completely respect the military and veterans of our country; however, they believe these issues need to come to the forefront."

Pittsburgh Steelers Owner Art Rooney II (to NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala):

"I believe the commissioner made an appropriate statement and I have nothing to add at this time."


Read more: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000849571/article/nfl-owners-ceos-respond-to-trump-comments