Mike Pence walks out of Colts game
Vice President Mike Pence attended a football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Oct. 8. However, he left in protest of the 49ers who knelt during the national anthem. He then took to Twitter to express the motives behind his actions in which he stated that he would “… not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our flag or our national anthem.” According to The Guardian, Pence flew to Indiana from Las Vegas, then to Los Angeles, after protesting the kneeling protest. Many people raised concerns that Pence utilized taxpayers’ money to make a statement. These speculations were made after learning that President Trump requested that Pence leave any games where the players kneeled in protest.
Jemele Hill suspended for two weeks over NFL tweets
ESPN announced through a statement that reporter Jemele Hill will be suspended for two weeks because of her tweets aimed at Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones accusing him of making players, especially black ones, choose a side in the ongoing NFL protests. This suspension comes weeks after Hill was involved in another controversy surrounding tweets in which she called President Trump a “white supremacist.” Many took to Twitter to express their outrage over ESPN’s decision to suspend her.
Joel Embiid and 79ers reach $148 million five-year extension deal
According to ESPN, 79ers center Joel Embiid made a deal for a five-year $146.5 million extension. The Kansas player has already appeared in 31 games since the 79ers chose him as the No. 3 pick in the 2014 draft. ESPN reported that this exception allows Embiid “to earn a higher percentage of the salary cap — potentially millions of dollars more — if he meets criteria over the course of the deal” which includes winning the Defensive Player of the Year or MVP, and making All-NBA teams. In that case, Embiid could make as much as $178 million. However, the team has a “salary-cap protection,” so if Embiid suffers another serious injury as the one he sustained with his feet and back in years prior, Philadelphia has the option to release him from his contract.
Miami Dolphins players agree with new policy regarding the National Anthem
The Miami Dolphins’ new policy that states that players will stand during the national anthem or stay inside the locker room or tunnel has been well received by Dolphins players. According to Michael Thomas, Dolphins safety, this new policy will leave no room for ambiguity. “Now players aren’t wondering, ‘OK, who is going to do what?’ or what not,” Thomas said. “That’s the team rule. Respect it.” Michael Thomas, along with Julius Thomas and Kenny Stills, knelt during the anthem two weeks ago and stayed in the tunnel Oct. 8.
