If the goal was to inspire players to stand during the pledge, to promote love of country, to honor America, then players outlined a way to do that: we address institutional racism. It's admittedly difficult, but it's how you change hearts and minds.

People talk about this in a way that suggests "well, the league is in a tough place." That's not what this is about. They didn't work with the players on this new policy, despite having a collective bargaining agreement that this may or may not run afoul of.

This is about showing that they make the rules. That they have the power. That how dare these ungrateful players show anything but appreciation for their owners.

That players could be forced to stand against their will isn't an unfortunate reality that owners are stuck dealing with -- it's the entire point. It's their way of showing their power and an attempt to establish that they are in charge.

If I were the players, I'd be thinking about forming a player-owned league.