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San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York was among a group of owners, players, and NFL and NFLPA executives who attended a meeting in New York City on Tuesday to discuss the issues underlying player protests. He had a chance to speak with the media on Tuesday following the close of a four-hour meeting, and he had plenty to offer.
York is one of the junior members of the owners’ meetings, but this has been an issue where he has shown some leadership. He had to get out in front of it first when Colin Kaepernick first took a knee a year ago August. He talked about being taken aback when Kaepernick first took a knee, but then taking time to talk to him and understand the reasons for the kneeling.
Given how this has developed in recent weeks, it sounds like other owners are starting to have to get a better handle on this like Jed did a year ago. York matched Colin Kaepernick with a $1 million donation to Bay Area charities fighting economic inequality. Additionally, he has been firmly supportive of his players and their right to protest.
The players and owners are planning another meeting to further discuss these issues. It seems like Jed York is a significant voice in these meetings. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out amongst the broader ownership. Jerry Jones has been vocally against the protests, and is one of the more powerful owners in the league. I am fascinated to see if he and others adjust their attitudes on this, and how this potentially brings the players and owners a little closer together.
For now though, I find myself applauding Jed York for putting forth the kind of effort we don’t see often enough from NFL owners. He has received plenty of well-deserved criticism for his actions with the 49ers on-field product, but this is one area where I’m willing applaud the work he is attempting to do.
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— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) October 17, 2017
York:“We need to be above petty attacks from anyone because racial+socioeconomic inequality has existed in this country for too long."
49ers owner Jed York says "now it's about how we do things on the ground," and mentions "legislative" and "grassroots" options
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
Jed York said there are no "tradeoffs" with players being asked to stand. "This is about taking protest to progress."
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
Jed York said owners open to having players work with NFL teams in their home communities even if that's not player's team...
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York mentioned relaxing some tampering rules in regards to social activism within an instance as the one mentioned in previous tweet
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York says - "we need to get the messaging away from the detractors that want to sidestep the issues"
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
In the future, if the president attacks the league and players "we need to be above it," York says. (I'd agree time to ignore that rhetoric)
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York says - "when Colin originally sat I was really taken back by it." York says he was not trying to "disrespect flag."
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York notes again his team supporting player's rights to take a knee and that Kaepernick became starter there after he knelt
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York - "I give Colin so much respect," for doing what he believes in. Notes his courage for risk he took to kneel
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
"I wasn't the most supportive the first time he sat down," York says. But then he began to understand the stand Kaepernick was taking
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York says league "need to be above" getting "baited" into soundbytes or Tweets about this issue
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York said he sat down with Kaepernick given that 49ers would not pay what his salary mandated. Colin asked for his release
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York says players "are the most important partners we have," NFL needs to invest in issues they care about
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York again notes how all sides must continue to find ways "to go from protest to progress."
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York says after these meetings he thinks every owner - even Jerry Jones - has a greater respect for why players feel compelled to kneel
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017
York says endorsing criminal justice reform policy is "a huge step ... and it's the first of many"
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 17, 2017