Choose one (Case Study Chap 2 or Case Study Chap 3) of the two and respond to the questions.
Be sure and indicate the case study (Case Study Chap 2 or Case Study Chap 3) that you have chosen for the assignment. Number each question, type out each question, and then answer it.
This assignment is worth 50 points. You have to be very detailed in your answers.
Case Study Chapter 2
Leadership and the Response to NFL Athlete Activism
During the 2016 NFL preseason, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick remained seated during the playing of the national anthem. Kaepernick made this decision as a way of bringing attention to allegations of police brutality and the killing of unarmed black men by police, which led to the Black Lives Matter movement. He told NFL Media in August of 2016 that “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color; to me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” (Wyche, 2016, n. p.)
As attention around the Kaepernick protest increased, other teammates joined and they began kneeling during the national anthem. At the end of the 2016 season, Kaepernick’s contract with the 49ers was not renewed and he was not signed by another NFL team for the 2017 season. Despite his absence from the field, other NFL players from the league continued the protest against unjust police practices, including Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks. In September of 2017, President Trump spoke about the NFL players’ protests in a campaign-style rally. President Trump conveyed his disagreement with the protests and called on the NFL and team owners to fire those who were protesting. These statements led to more player protests and subsequent responses, both positive and negative, by fans on both sides of this issue. Following the President’s remarks, the NFL issued statements not only indicating support for the players but it also issued an appeal for all players to stand for the national anthem before games (for a timeline of the protests, see Riley, 2018).
In an attempt to quell dissent from players, owners of the NFL teams, and fans who supported the players’ protests and those who were against the protests, the NFL partnered with the players and committed approximately $100 million to a fund that would support causes that were important to the African-American Black community (Trotter & Reid, 2017). Many members of the NFL Players Coalition were skeptical of this NFL fund, yet others felt that it was an important step by the league and its owners to recognize the players’ concerns (Trotter & Reid, 2017).
During the NFL owners’ meetings in May of 2018, the owners and the league office, without consultation with the NFL Players’ Union, implemented a new rule regarding the national anthem for the 2018 to –2019 season. The new rule stipulates that any player on the field during the playing of the national anthem must stand. If players do not want to stand during the anthem, they must remain in the locker room. According to the rule, which was not voted on by owners but was agreed to during the meeting, each NFL team can institute a fine against players who do not stand for the anthem. The league can also impose a fine on players. At least two owners (Jed York of the San Francisco 49ers and Mark Davis of the Oakland Raiders) were not supportive of this policy (D’Andrea & Stites, 2018). The NFL Players’ Union has also threatened to legally challenge any aspects of the policy that are inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement (Anapol, 2018).
Questions for Discussion
How would you describe the NFL owners’ collective leadership on the players’ protests? Read and review the chapter before answering this. Provide specific examples from the case study to support your answer.
Do you believe that this type of leadership will be effective in supporting the success of the NFL for the 2018–2019 season? Provide specific information to support your response.
What other type(s) of leadership would you recommend for owners of the NFL? Why would you recommend that type of leadership?
What type of leadership could be used by the NFL Players’ Union to best resolve the apparent conflict between the players and the owners over the player protests? Provide specific information to support your response.