A CHANGE ON THE GRIDIRON? – AT 11:31 A.M. ET:   After all the hoopla about "taking a knee," there are some reports of a change of heart at some football teams.  We hope, but can't guarantee.  From CBS in Boston: 

BOSTON (CBS) — Just one week after many members of the Patriots kneeled during the national anthem, a new report indicates that they will all stand together as a team next time out.

A league source told CSNNE’s Gary Tanguay on Tuesday that all Patriots players will stand during the national anthem before next Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Many stood and interlocked their arms during the anthem last Sunday before the game against the Texans, while a large portion kneeled.

Teams across the league had similar demonstrations last Sunday, which were mostly a response to controversial comments made by President Donald Trump about NFL players who sit or kneel during the national anthem. The president described such players as ‘sons of bitches’ during a rally in Alabama last Friday, also declaring that they should be fired for doing so.

COMMENT:  There are reports out of Dallas that the Cowboys will also be united next weekend.  We have no detailed reports of the discussions that have been going on, but it's clear that the political demonstrations on the field during the anthem did not go down well with a majority of Americans, and that financial losses can be expected. 

It would be better if the NFL got back to football, solved some of its other problems, and started building audience once more.  It would also be better if ESPN got off the politics kick.  People don't tune in to a sports program to hear a political lecture.

We have enough politics.  Play ball.

September 27, 2017