Unequal Interventions: The Houston Texans

According to recent news, the Houston Texans are ‘not interested’ in players who protested during the national anthem.

According to Houston Chronicle columnist Jerome Solomon who spoke with two NFL agents Saturday “who said word is the Texans aren’t interested in any players who participated in pregame kneel-downs in protest of police brutality.”

“There is no directive within the organization, but it is considered to be understood that as desperate as the Texans are to bring in talent, the pool of potential signees and draftees will not include anyone who has participated in protests or are likely to,” Solomon continued. He added that while the Texans aren’t a racist organization, the team’s owner has frequently been “racially tone deaf,”

and there are “many who believe if McNair could field a team with all-white, all-conforming all-pro talent, he would.”

According to the Bleacher Report, McNair came under fire last October when he said the league and owners “can’t have the inmates running the prison,” referring to the ongoing anthem protests. McNair subsequently apologized and said in a statement he “never meant to offend anyone” and “was not referring to our players.”

The Texans have issued a report denying the report, stating “A recent report suggests the Houston Texans would not sign a player who has protested in of social justice issues is categorically false and without merit. The Texans ownership, coaching, personnel, and executive staff sign and hire employees based on talent, character and fit within our organization.”