One veteran player, known for his no-nonsense attitude, summed up the situation succinctly: “This is football, not a debate club. We should be worrying about winning games, not arguing about who’s kneeling and who’s not. But if PFATS wants to make it an issue, they better be ready for the fallout.”
As the dust settles from this latest controversy, one thing is clear: the debate over kneeling during the national anthem is far from over. Whether you believe that PFATS was right to cancel these scholarships or think that the organization has overstepped its bounds, the issue is likely to linger in the NFL for some time to come. And as for the players who lost their scholarships? They’re already planning their next moves—both on and off the field.
In the end, it seems that the only thing everyone can agree on is that this is one kickoff that isn’t going to end with a touchback.
