Recently I wrote an article about Jurrell Casey’s charity, The Casey Fund. To understand the type of man that Jurrell is, and what went into Jurell Casey’s decision, I recommend you read that article before you dive into this one.
Jurrell Casey’s Decision
Earlier today an article was released on CNN.com regarding Jurrell and his protest plans. He plans to stay on the field to protest during the national anthem this year. Before you click off this page, hear me out. This is just a friendly reminder that these players are not protesting the anthem itself. They are only using that time to draw attention to the social injustice in the US.
Jurrell begins the short clip by talking about how NFL players are not happy with the NFL’s decision to implement a new national anthem policy. Under this policy, the NFL has stated the teams will have the power to create their own policies to ensure the anthem is being respected. If a player protests on the sideline, his team will be fined. The player could then be penalized by his team if they see fit. Additionally, if players don’t want to stand for the national anthem, they have the right to stay in the locker room. Jurrell knows that his team is going to get fined for his actions, and he is ready to accept whatever fine is levied against him. When you put your money where your mouth is, it’s a powerful thing.
Impact
Jurrell was very open with his statements to CNN. Casey states: “I ain’t going to let them stop me from doing what I do. It’s not necessarily about the anthem…..The way the justice system treats minorities is the issue we have.” This is a point that many NFL players have continuously made. Ironically, it’s also a point that is actively ignored when debated in the media. Jurrell is going to continue to use his platform to incite change, both in his community and in the world.
In the CNN article, it states that Jurrell had not discussed his decision with teammates or management. Would the Titans hand the fine down to Jurrell when the time comes? In May, Mike Vrabel said that players have the organization and controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk’s support to make their own decision. Jurrell plans to continue raising his fist after the national anthem, as he did in 2017 with teammate Wesley Woodyard. Last season the Titans remained in the locker room before the week 3 home game against the Seahawks. I doubt that this will have any impact on the team as a whole, but that remains to be seen.
Thoughts
My opinion on whether he is doing the right thing does not and should not matter to anyone. I am not in his shoes, and I cannot make the same impact that he does. Jurrell is fighting for what he believes in, and he has that right to do so. Whether you agree with him or not, you should be able to respect his decision. Obviously, there is a split in the public. Some people will spit fire on his name, and some people will respect his decision. I’m here to tell you that this is a decision that only Jurrell can make. We should respect his right to do so.
