The NFL preseason schedule officially got underway Thursday night, and, to the surprise of absolutely no one, a small handful of players across the league, in defiance of President Donald John Archie Bunker Trump, continued their protests during the playing of the National Anthem. Some knelt. Others raised their fists. Still others opted to wait in the locker rooms.
Unsurprisingly, Trump threw a Twantrum about it. His fan base doesn't care if the protests are more about racial inequities and social injustice, as has been the case since Colin Kaepernick, then with the San Francisco 49ers, began his silent protest two years ago, than disrespect for the flag, which Trump claims is the issue. Of course, he's wrong, but while he's advising the players to "find another way to protest", the most polarizing President in history isn't doing anyone any favors by continuing to play the Ugly American card. According to Yahoo!'s Jay Busbee, Trump has received a letter written by some of the players, including Malcolm Jenkins of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. If Trump chooses to continue to listen to the closet bigots that make up the majority of his voter base, he'll ignore a lot of what the players are saying.
On one point, though, Trump is right. There are better ways to address the issue than continue to alienate the NFL's fan base, especially in the South. One way is for a group of players to meet not only Trump, but a joint session of Congress in Washington to address formally the issues they're concerned with. The players respect the military, but the perception created by the former Apprentice frontman twists the narrative with the sole intention of inflaming the voter base. That especially has to change. Yesterday.
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It took a while, but LaSalle Institute has released its football schedule for this season, its first under former Union College coach John Audino. They'll play some of the same teams as city rival Troy, whom they'll visit on September 14. The schedule:
August 31: @ Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk
September 7: Home opener vs. Columbia
Sept. 14: @ Troy
Sept. 21: @ Averill Park
Sept. 28: Ichabod Crane
October 5: Senior Night vs. Green Tech
Oct. 12: @ Amsterdam
LaSalle & Troy will have four common opponents between them, aside from facing each other (Columbia, Averill Park, Green Tech, Amsterdam). Given Audino's reputation as a winner, I honestly believe this year's Collar City Cup game won't be a blowout like it was the last two years. LaSalle will see two Colonial Council rivals in Ravena & Ichabod Crane, while a 3rd, Schalmont, entertains Troy for the first time on opening night. It's too early to project any post-season plans, but I'd say LaSalle will be a player in Class A this season.
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In order to promote the 2nd annual Mae Young Classic women's tournament, WWE is assigning backstage interviewer Renee Young as a color analyst on Monday Night Raw on the August 13 episode, subbing for Jonathan Coachman, who has the week off due to a previous commitment outside of WWE. Coachman, on his 2nd tour of duty with WWE, has missed some weeks prior to this for the same reason, including covering some events for USA Network's sister network, the Golf Channel (both are part of the NBC-Universal-Comcast family), but has been roundly criticized by some fans for his commentary. Bear in mind, WWE brought him back this year after nearly 10 years away (ESPN), so the transition has been a little slower than expected.
Young, whose husband, former WWE, US, & Intercontinental champ Dean Ambrose, is due back from the disabled list soon, could be a permanent addition to the broadcast desk if things work out. She's also working with Michael Cole & former women's champ Beth Phoenix on the telecasts of the Mae Young Classic, which will begin airing on WWE Network next month. If this doesn't get WWE out of its ratings malaise, which will only get worse when Monday Night Football returns next month, what will?
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