Posted on 11/10/2016 7:59:53 AM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
"One of the greatest days of my life," a white offensive lineman from the AFC told B/R.
"Easily one of the worst days of my life," said a black offensive lineman, also from the AFC. "It's like my dog died. Worse." The reaction from NFL players to me in the wake of Donald Trump's election as the nation's 45th president was swift and long-lasting. It carried through election night, into the next morning, and throughout Wednesday. Over two dozen players expressed themselves in numerous complex thoughts, simple outbursts and heated arguments with me.
The general feeling among the six white players with whom B/R communicated was that the Trump election was good for the country and happened because Americans wanted change and a fixing of economic issues. In sharp contrast, eight black players I spoke with expressed the sentiment that the Trump election was one of the ugliest moments in American history and was about white America wanting to keep blacks, and other people of color, as one black player said, "in our place."
The comments from both groups of players were at times raw, angry, introspective and dizzying, even more so than for a similar Trump story I wrote before the election. In all my conversations, the most striking aspect was the difference in how black players and white players viewed Trump. It was as if they were talking about two different people, a phenomenon that likely mirrors the American electorate. Take, for example, how two white players felt the election of Trump would help bring players closer to fans and maybe even reverse the recent ratings decline.
"Trump is creating a more blue-collar America," said a special teams player, "and at its core, our sport is a blue-collar sport." Meanwhile, several black players expressed a different view of some fans. They felt those who voted for Trump would root for them on Sundays, but once the games ended, those fans wouldn't, as one player stated, "give them a bucket to piss in." Perhaps most importantly, players on both sides of the Trump aisle insist that NFL locker rooms remain divided over Trump and have seen that chasm grow in the wake of the election.
It's impossible to tell how accurate this view is, but it continues to be something mentioned to me. What's certain is I have never seen NFL players both so happy and infuriated at the same time. I've never seen players this fired up over anything that wasn't related to a work stoppage or Roger Goodell. There was definitely some locker room polarization when Barack Obama was first elected president in 2008, but the dynamics were different. The player base is approximately 70 percent black, and most of the black electorate backed Obama.
Exit polling by NBC this year showed that 89 percent of black voters were either concerned or scared if Trump were to win. My guess is those percentages would hold up, or be close, in NFL locker rooms. "If you voted for Trump," said one AFC offensive starter, "I don't trust you." "Black players are constantly playing the race card [when it comes to Trump]," a white NFC player said. "This election had nothing to do with race."
He wasn't alone in his views.
"Hillary Clinton was a terrible candidate," another white player said. "That's why she lost, not because of race." Other white players said Trump won because of the increase in Obamacare premiums and Supreme Court appointments. All of the white players, in fact, said Trump's election had nothing to do with race. White players who voted for Trump, or knew people who did, in fact, were furious with the notion they or Trump supporters were racist.
All of the black players, on the other hand, said Trump's election was mostly, if not all, about race. Several black players with whom B/R spoke saved some of their anger for Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who wrote a letter of support to Trump, who then read the letter at a rally on the eve of the election. Belichick defended writing the note, saying it wasn't politically motivated and was penned because Trump was a friend. But some of the black players I spoke with said they didn't understand how black players on the Patriots weren't enraged with Belichick. Or with Tom Brady, who Trump said supported his candidacy.
"Very disappointed in [Belichick]," one player said. "I thought he was better than that." (One aside: In my time covering the league, Belichick has been one of the most open-minded men I've ever known. Yet in various front offices around the league, there was surprise he so publicly endorsed Trump.) In the end, maybe everyone should heed the words of former NFL offensive lineman Damien Woody, who tweeted some pretty good advice this week: "Onward and upward America. Let's figure this thing called life out together for the betterment of our country."
We did push back. Trump won. I’m white but it’s true, race had zero to do with it for me. Marxist is not a race.
#### em. The jets suck anyway this year.
In sharp contrast, eight black players I spoke with expressed the sentiment that the Trump election was one of the ugliest moments in American history and was about white America wanting to keep blacks, and other people of color, as one black player said, "in our place."
This country has had a black president for the last eight years ... and yet the result of the current presidential election in which there weren't any blacks on either major party ticket is supposedly a case of "keeping blacks in their place?" WTF?
My God -- how f#%&ing stupid these people are.
Yep. Wonder if anyone will tally Colon’s total cost to the NFL.
What party had a black candidate, a Latino candidate, a female candidate and a gay candidate....wasn’t the libs! They had 2 old geezer whites
politics and race aside, there is no other sport like it.
these guys are almost never the same by their 40s.
it’s the closest we get to gladiators without having Rome.
UFC isn’t my cup of tea.
maybe cause i used to box
now heavyweights fight once a year. what a joke
I have slowly come to realize that even though most conservatives are willing to spell out exactly what individual attributes made America great and prosperous, and welcome people of all races into our prosperity, many blacks want no part of this. They want to live their own culture but be accepted "as is" into society and be as prosperous as everyone else.
There is a huge problem here because the culture they like, with no respect for education and a celebration of defiance to authority, does not lead to either prosperity or personal success.
The door is open guys, come on in.
ROTFLMAO! Well said!
Well...they could all go do something different for a living and see how that works out.
EXACTAMUNDO.
0bama = Great Divider.
This man has created an atmosphere of nothing but an "Us vs. Them" mentality for 8 years and set back race relations at least 50 years.
You click on a web story about the NFL these days, and it’s all about race in the locker room.
THAT is why your ratings are PLUMMETING!
This mirrors my discussions last night with two black co-workers (who are good guys and not BLM types). They see Obama's legacy as every black person's legacy so any criticism of it is met as a racial attack.
"Make America Great Again." What is that saying to black people?, I was told. What was so great about where we were? These two co-workers make close to six figures and definitely did quite well under Obama.
I admit it was an eye-opening perspective. The other issue that upsets them is "law and order" which they translate into cops shooting unarmed black people (as both relate their own police encounters). Their hatred for law enforcement colors their opinions about everything else.
Of course, all these police shootings and riots are taking place under Obama. But don't tell them that.
I agree. That's what I think, too.
At least I won't kiss their asses just because they play football. If they're arrogant cry babies, yup. No bucket for you!
Yes, it's true. Some black NFL players are angry because the pampered rich white girl lost. LOL!!!!!
There is a lot of healing that needs to be done from the damage B.O. and the Democratic Party have inflicted on the nation both at home and abroad. I think Trump, Pence and the American people are up to the challenge.
This is why so many Americans are giving up on the NFL. I support my Giants and have continued to watch them because of the class they have shown (excluding the Josh Brown situation...one bad egg).
Cruz and Beckham’s patriotic display on 911 was really appreciated and welcomed.
Bullsh*t.
Frankly, I will NOT be rooting for these paranoid black racists EVER, nor watching their games.
0bama and the media have brainwashed privileged , blessed millionaire blacks into believing the myth of The White Devil. Great way to kill the NFL! Great legacy by Communitah Organizer 0bama and White Progs.
Who cares about football?
Thugball.
This year? (snicker)
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