NFL Owner Criticized for Comment
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The owner of the Houston Texans has apologized for a comment he made when describing protests around players kneeling during the national anthem. For weeks, the NFL has struggled with its response, and now the situation is exacerbated by inflammatory comments. Owner Bob Nair said, "We can't have the inmates running the prison," as he expressed concern about the league's revenues.
Players were offended by the comment and, according to an ESPN report, considered a walkout. One player, Andre Hopkins, skipped practice. A Mashable writer explains sensitivities around the comment:
This, of course, is not a very sensitive thing to say given the context of the protests: started by Colin Kaepernick as a means of protesting the police-involved killings of unarmed black men, continued by a group of mostly black players, facing criticism and pressure from a group of mostly white owners concerned about their bottom line.
Nair did apologize in a statement:
"I regret that I used that expression. 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."
Discussion:
- What's your reaction to the comment: offensive, no big deal, or something else?
- How well does Nair's apology meet criteria for good apologies?
- How well does Nair demonstrate vulnerability in this situation?
