Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett plans to continue to sit during the national anthem and doesn’t care for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Today, league commissioner Roger Goodell said that while the league will not mandate that players stand during the anthem, he prefers that all players stand. Bennett isn’t moved by Goodell’s words, saying:
I plan on sitting down. Like I said, I continue to do what I’ve been doing and the consequences are the consequences I guess.
Bennett is protesting racial injustice, police brutality and inequality within the criminal justice system. Seems like good reasons to continue the protest. Bennett also had pointed criticism for Jerry Jones, courtesy of CBS Sports, saying:
If teams don’t want guys to play, even if you think about what Jerry Jones said, it’s crazy. Bennett continued. It’s inconsiderate of a person being a human being. To me, I just thought it reminded me of the Dred Scott case. You’re property; so you don’t have the ability to be a person first. And I think in this generation that sends the wrong message to young kids and young people across the world — that your employer doesn’t see you as a human being; they see you as a piece of property. And if that’s the case, then I don’t get it.
Bennett’s comments on Jones are spot on. The owners of these franchises see these guys as property not human beings. You can look at the way they handle contracts, trades, and the general treatment of players. Look beyond how much money they are being paid and pay close attention to the game beyond the game. For those of you unaware, look up the Dred Scott case and look up the history of the economy of this country.