Subscribe

* indicates required
Okayplayer News

To continue reading

Create a free account or sign in to unlock more free articles.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms of Service and acknowledge our Privacy Policy

Watch Houston Texans Take A Knee To Protest Owner's Controversial 'Inmates' Comment
Watch Houston Texans Take A Knee To Protest Owner's Controversial 'Inmates' Comment
Source: Houston Texans

Watch Houston Texans Take A Knee To Protest Owner's Controversial 'Inmates' Comment

All but 10 members of the Houston Texans took a knee during the national anthem at a recent game to protest owner Bob McNair's comment comparing NFL player protesting to prison inmates.

Most of the team was kneeling during their game against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday to protest McNair's offensive comment recently made during a meeting with other NFL owners.

WATCH: Jay-Z Respond To Houston Texans Owner's Controversial 'Inmates' Comment

"We can't have the inmates running the prison," he said. McNair has since apologized for the comment, issuing the following 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."

He then stated that the controversial remark was not about the players but "the relationship between the league office and team owners and how they have been making significant strategic decisions affecting our league without adequate input from ownership over the past few years."

Players said that they were discussing how to respond as a team, with initial reports saying they would remove the Texans logo from their helmets. Ultimately, more than 40 of the players decided to kneel during the game, according to a report from NYMag

"...as far as the demonstration went, some people didn’t feel quite comfortable doing it, some people did. But we all supported each other, and that was what was important," Texans left tackle Duane Brown said. "I don't think anyone looks at anyone differently for what they stood for or didn't stand for."