Police unions on in South Florida are encouraging their members to not buy tickets to Dolphins games, after three players protested the anthem on Thursday.
On Thursday, linebacker Robert Quinn raised his fist during the playing of the national anthem. While wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson, knelt.
The Palm Beach County PBA issued a statement after the protests, announcing their intention to end the promotion with Miami, over the protests:
The Palm Beach County PBA recently offered our members discounts to a Miami Dolphins game because the franchise said they were going to honor all first responders. We entered into this partnership with the understanding that the Dolphins organization would require their players to stand for the National Anthem. This did not happen.
As a result, the Palm Beach County PBA will no longer participate in this ticket program, and we are asking all our members, as well (as) members of the Dade County Police Benevolent Association and the Broward County Police Benevolent Association, not to participate either. If you have already purchased tickets to this game, we encourage you to call the Dolphins ticket office to request a refund because this organization obviously does not honor First Responders and the dangers they put themselves in every day.
The Broward County PBA recently offered our members discounts to a Miami Dolphins game because that franchise said they…
Posted by Broward County Police Benevolent Association on Friday, August 10, 2018
As USA Today reports, “This isn’t the first time that police unions have reacted to players’ on-field protests. Cleveland police refused last year to hold the flag in a preseason game after players had knelt during the anthem. St. Louis police complained in 2014 when some Rams players put their hands up in a “don’t shoot” gesture, a response to the police shooting of teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson.”
The NFL created a new policy to combat anthem protests in May, a rule which required all players on the field to stand and show respect for the anthem. While allowing players who wanted to protest to remain in the locker room.
However, in July, the NFL suspended their own policy in order to include the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) in the decision making progress. Negotiators met three weeks ago, yet failed to produce a compromise resolution on a new policy.
Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter @themightygwinn
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.