Discussion regarding the NFL protests during the national anthem seem to have quieted down recently, but Houston Texans owner Bob McNair just created a new firestorm thanks to some cringe-worthy comments that have come to light.
In an upcoming article for ESPN The Magazine, details of a meeting earlier this month regarding the protests have become public and McNair does not come away looking good.
McNair compared players to inmates and said owners cannot have them “running the prison.”
From the article:
As Jones spoke, Snyder mumbled out loud, “See, Jones gets it — 96 percent of Americans are for guys standing,” a claim some dismissed as a grand overstatement. McNair, a multimillion-dollar Trump campaign contributor, spoke next, echoing many of the same business concerns. “We can’t have the inmates running the prison,” McNair said.
Woof.
As you would expect following such ridiculous comments, McNair issued an apology.
“I regret that I used that expression,” McNair said in a statement released by the team. “I never meant to offend anyone and I was not referring to our players. I used a figure of speech that was never intended to be taken literally.
“I would never characterize our players or our league that way and I apologize to anyone who was offended by it.”
It may have been an innocent mistake, but regardless, it’s a terrible look for McNair. When you’re trying to stop people from protesting police brutality and social inequality, using a line about the prison system just isn’t the smartest move.
Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!