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On Friday, in a video posted on the league’s social media channels, Roger Goodell and the NFL stunningly admitted they were wrong for not listening to players and allowing them to peacefully protest police brutality.
We, the NFL, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black People. We, the NFL, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the NFL, believe Black Lives Matter. #InspireChange pic.twitter.com/ENWQP8A0sv
— NFL (@NFL) June 5, 2020
Goodell’s apology comes a day after several prominent players released a video calling for the NFL to admit they were wrong about several issues in regards to the Black Lives Matter movement.
NFL stars came together to release this video, which asks the league to:
◼️ condemn racism and systematic oppression
◼️ admit fault in silencing players from peacefully protesting
◼️ state its belief that Black lives matter(via @saquon) pic.twitter.com/N0pRltleic
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 5, 2020
According to a report from The Athletic’s Jordan Rodrigue the NFL’s own social media team went behind the league’s back to film the videos with the players and then confronted Roger Goodell which later brought on his apology video.
According to multiple league sources, this video of Goodell, who responds directly to players' requests in powerful video yesterday, came after series of emotional meetings w/ league content creators dissatisfied with original NFL statement, and vocal player dissatisfaction. https://t.co/s2vpkPrZ1D
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 5, 2020
Creators ultimately collaborated directly with players, sans league involvement, to create the video that included Michael Thomas, Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Mahomes, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins and more and pressured NFL to officially respond.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 5, 2020
The NFL’s own social team went behind the league’s back, created this video with players, met with Goodell after doing it and then got the league to come out with an apology for its previous inaction.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. https://t.co/v5iWrbGm9V
— Adam White (@FOSAdam) June 5, 2020
Incredible.