Cleveland Brown’s quarterback Baker Mayfield is one of the most prominent players in the NFL to signal that he will protest this racial injustice during the national anthem this season. He will reportedly do so with the full support of the owner of his team.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told the Associated Press on Sunday that he will support Mayfield and any other Browns player who takes a knee:
“One of the great things about this country, one of the many great things, is the ability to have freedom of speech and express yourself,” Jimmy Haslam said in a Zoom call with his wife. “That we will support our players.”
Mayfield doubled down on his plans to protest earlier this week, repeating what he promised in June in the wake of the assassination of George Floyd and subsequent protests. He called racial inequality in America a human rights issue, saying protests against it had nothing to do with the military:
“It’s wrong. Right is right and wrong is wrong,” Mayfield said. “It’s a human rights issue. It’s been going on for a long time and I believe in it. There’s nothing against the army, anyone who serves. know my history, know that I fully support the army and people who serve our country for the right reasons and do it for justice.
‘The people who do not know that, that’s ok. Take the time. Take a second to get to know me. It’s a human rights issue. ”
The topic of protest during the national anthem has returned in full force over sports, from the NBA to MLB to the NWSL abroad. The return of those knee-jerk protests to the league where they originated in some corners was unforgivable and in the corner controversial. Mayfield is likely to contribute by scoring players while taking a knee injury.
Haslam characterized the blowback against such protests – which often ignore the fact that the knee-jerk reaction arose from a discussion between Colin Kaepernick and a Green Beret – as a distraction from the substance against the protests, which is racially unjust.
From the AP:
‘There’s only this condemnation from one side to the other, instead of everyone trying to understand,’ Well, why is that important to you, Baker? You are a conceivable young man. You understand the consequences, ” he said. ‘That we will fully support our players, no matter what they decide to do. We just ask that we as a country have a much more thoughtful dialogue. ”
The Browns remain scheduled to open their season on Sept. 13 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Baker Mayfield will likely be one of many NFL players to protest this season. Nick Cammett / Diamond Images via Getty Images)
