The Bengals entered Week 3 of the NFL season, having not scored an offensive touchdown. However, amidst a sea of protest across the league on Sunday, the Bengals scored in another way, a way that will leave a lot of their fans happy.
They scored by saying that sports and politics don’t mix.
The Bengals, unlike much of the league, did not issue a statement about President trump’s comments in Alabama, prior to their game on Sunday. However, they did issue one later.
According to Pro Football Talk, the statement read: “Football and politics don’t mix easily. Fans come to NFL games to watch great competition on the playing field and that’s where our focus should be.”
While all Bengals players stood with interlocked arms during the playing of the anthem, as a symbol of unity, no one knelt or raised a fist:
Several #Bengals appear to have their arms locked for the anthem. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/LK0QCCkp0m
— Keenan Singleton (@KJMSingleton) September 24, 2017
The Packers on the other hand, Cincinnati’s opponent on Sunday, had three players sit on the bench for the anthem. Martellus Bennett, brother to fellow protester Michael Bennett, Lance Kendricks, and Kevin King, all sat.
The Bengals statement is stunning in its simplicity, directness, and brilliance. It’s also the least reported statement from any team, as the sports media chooses to highlight, almost exclusively, only those statements which celebrate the anthem protests.
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