Morning sports update: Robert Kraft spoke with the Patriots about the national anthem protests
The Bruins play the Coyotes on Saturday, the Patriots play the Jets on Sunday, and the Celtics play the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
Robert Kraft spoke with the Patriots about the national anthem protests: In light of the recent anthem protests — as well as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ demand that his players stand if they want to play — Kraft decided to meet with his team to discuss the issue.
“I think there were some comments made about what our young men were doing that were a little inflammatory and inappropriate, and I thought I had to speak out,” Kraft said, via ESPN. “I spoke to the team, and I told them that they were free to do what they thought was correct.”
The owner continued:
“I try to bring unity and bring things together, and part of that is respecting how other people think. Even if it’s genuine, even if it’s different than the way I speak, the way you build a team and you build success is to let people be themselves. I have never heard anyone talk about blocking [Colin Kaepernick] or excluding him.”
Earlier this week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a memo to club presidents that the league believes “everyone should stand for the national anthem.” President Donald Trump, a longtime friend of Kraft, has also been extremely vocal in his displeasure with the league’s current state of affairs. The Patriots owner, however, appears to have sided with his players on the matter.
“The greatest enemy in sport is division from within. I personally feel it’s very important to respect our flag and our anthem,” Kraft said. “But I also respect the right of people in this country to make statements or protests, peacefully, in a way that’s appropriate to them.”
Roger Goodell’s wife had a secret Twitter account that she used to defend the NFL commissioner: As criticism of Goodell flooded the internet for his stance on the recent anthem protests — and of course, residual Deflategate issues — the mysterious account faithfully came to the defense of the 58-year-old league head. On 14 separate occasions since August, @forargument expressed its disapproval with various media outlets’ coverage of the commissioner. (Boston.com)
Court clears way for 6-game suspension of Cowboys’ Elliott: The Cowboys don’t play again until next Sunday, Oct. 22, at San Francisco. If Elliott’s legal team can’t put the suspension on hold again, he won’t be eligible to play until Nov. 30 at home against Washington, a Thursday night game the week after Thanksgiving. Elliott played the first five games as Dallas went 2-3 in a disappointing start. (Boston.com, via AP)
Barstool founder defends ‘offensive speech’ clause that drove away female prospective employee: “If we’re sitting in a writing room and we’re tossing around all sorts of jokes and trying to be funny, we definitely make off-color jokes,” Dave Portnoy said. “It’s just to basically know you acknowledge what you’re getting yourself into.” (The Boston Globe)
Celtics’ Daniel Theis making a smooth transition to the States: The Boston Globe‘s Gary Washburn listened to the German native talk about the adjustments he’s had to make since moving to the city. Here’s a bit of what he had to say:
On following the league while abroad: “Tough to watch NBA games [in Germany] because they come on in the middle of the nigh. The earliest game is like 1 o’clock [in the morning]. But we all looked up to Dirk Nowitzki. You could look at his career and it’s unbelievable. He’s the hero.”
On living in the U.S.: “Living in the States is easy. [The team] helps take care of you so you can just focus on basketball. I think there is a German restaurant [in Boston] but I haven’t been there. I’m still trying to figure it out but most of the time we’re cooking at home. There are so many restaurants. We’re still trying to figure out the best places to go.”
On the English language: “We start [learning English] at like 9 and I’ve been playing basketball for a long time with American players. So I’ve spoken English like the last 10 years. But I want to learn better English. That’s easier just for me to learn even more. So I can just speak to anybody about anything I want. That’s my goal.”
Indians in a state of shock after ALDS exit: ‘‘I’m not really sure how you get over something like this,’’ Josh Tomlin said after the Indians were pitched from the postseason with a 5-2 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night in Game 5 of the ALDS. ‘‘I’m not really sure I’m over last year, either. The only way to get over something like this is to go out there and win, and that’s not what happened.’’ (The Boston Globe, via AP)
