In the best interest of following a fair observation protocol, I will present the facts first and end with my opinion. Our readers are more than welcome to conduct their own conclusion in response to the statement made by Houston Texans Founder/CEO Robert McNair. Shall we begin?…
According to an article transcript from ESPN.com, on October 18, 2017, Day 2 of the annual NFL Fall Meeting in New York consisted of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, a majority of team owners, and one advisor for a “Special Privileged Session.”
During this meeting the discussion focused solely on players protesting during the national anthem, and the significant revenue being lost due to boycotts from fans and advertisers that are caught in the middle of it all.
As the session progressed Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, leads the discussion and Washington Redskins owner, Daniel Snyder, shares his comments. I now present a short article clip of the conversation that leads up the comment that offended Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, who was also present during this meeting.
(Image above taken from ESPN.com. Source available below.)
Immediately following the “Special Privileged Session” Robert McNair is said to have pulled Troy Vincent aside to apologize for his choice of words.
The ESPN article transcript above was posted on October 27, 2017, nine days later, and therefore brings us to an official statement/apology from Robert McNair on October 27th as shown below:
Robert McNair described his statement, “Inmates running the prison” as a figure of speech. Webster’s Dictionary describes the term figure of speech below as followed:
The phrase, “We can’t have the inmates running the prison” can be traced back to the phrase “Inmates running the asylum” which was first discovered in Edgar Allen Poes’ short story written in 1845 titled, The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether seen below.
The link to Edgar Allen Poes’ writing above can be found on page 11 here.
Houston Texans players were highly upset to learn of their owner’s words and voiced their concerns to the media. 10 players left practice on Friday, October 27, 2017 for personal reasons. Houston Texans player, Duane Brown, spoke with the media and also shared his disappointment in the selection of the team owner’s words.
On October 28, 2017 Robert McNair shared an additional statement in response to the criticism and disappointment being represented towards him:
In the first statement Robert McNair stated, “I would never characterize our players or our league that way…” although shown above he states the reference was towards the relationship between the league and team owners.
Many are also speculating a conflict of interest in regards to siding with Donald Trump’s stance towards NFL players protesting. A Public record states Robert McNair donated $2.4 Million to the Presidential campaign of Donald Trump seen here. A list of other NFL owners that contributed to Donald Trump’s campaign can be found here.
Now, I shall insert my opinion as we ponder over things that make you go hmmm…
1.) It was written that the statement stunned some in the room. A room of team owners, Roger Goodell, and one advisor. Now that this information is released, are you surprised at the reaction of the players, fans, and the World? Are we not allowed to voice our concern? Hmmmm…
2.)If Robert McNair found it necessary to apologize to Troy Vincent, NFL Executive VP of Football Operations (African American), was he apologizing for offending Vincent who was once a former player or referencing him as a league employee? Hmmm..
It is unfortunate when someone’s good reputation is easily forgotten after using a bad choice of words, or when they make a life altering decision that ineffectively changes lives.
Ignoring or dismissing a player’s freedom to use their platform to express their disdain towards the inequality or mistreatment of others based upon their sex, religion, health, or race is inhuman.
Forcing an employee to “Do as I say” is a mentality that will spark low morale in a work environment real quick. Showing no empathy or concern for one’s plight or historic cultural journey is hurtful and tells others you care about the business more than the individual helping your business to thrive.
It is true to say that team owners have a significant impact in building a franchise and making it successful however, the players are sacrificing their health and wellbeing at any moment whenever they step out there on the football field. Do they not deserve the opportunity to help others who may not have the resources to tell their own story?
Robert McNair has a tough road ahead of him from a PR perspective. Only God knows the sincere truth in his heart and I will sincerely pray for him. And I close with these words from an old spiritual titled, “We Shall Overcome.” Learn about the origin of this historic song here and why it is still important in this day and time.
Sources:
Wickersham, Seth. “Gaffes, TV Ratings Concerns Dominated as NFL, Players Forged Anthem Peace.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 27 Oct. 2017, www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/21170410/gaffes-tv-ratings-concerns-dominated-nfl-players-forged-anthem-peace-league-meetings.
Adams, Noah. “The Inspiring Force Of ‘We Shall Overcome’.” NPR, NPR, 28 Aug. 2013, www.npr.org/2013/08/28/216482943/the-inspiring-force-of-we-shall-overcome.
“Edgar Allan Poe: Essential Tales & Poems.” Google Books, books.google.com/books?id=xT_YAAAAQBAJ&lpg=PT346&ots=V-_G9sTw8h&pg=PT346#v=onepage&q&f=false.
Beckelemail, Michael, et al. “Donald Trump Rewarding Million-Dollar Donors with Plum Postings.” Center for Public Integrity, 10 Dec. 2016, www.publicintegrity.org/2016/12/09/20516/donald-trump-rewarding-million-dollar-donors-plum-postings.
“Here Are the NFL Owners Who Have Donated to Trump.” Google, Google, www.google.com/amp/www.nydailynews.com/amp/sports/football/nfl-owners-donated-trump-article-1.3516329.
Houston Texans Instagram
Webster’s Dictionary
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