Pro Athletes React to Texans Owner Bob McNair’s Inmate Comments

Are we watching the demise of the NFL? After a report detailing comments made by Houston Texans owner Bob McNair using inmates and players in an analogy during NFL owners meetings was released, things got hot at the team’s practice.

Texans star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins walked out after hearing that McNair used the analogy of prison inmates in a conversation about kneeling players.

McNair said:  “Can’t have the inmates running the prison,” misusing the saying: “can’t have inmates running the asylum.” Considering that the whole inspiration behind Colin Kaepernick‘s decision not to stand for the anthem was because of police brutality, the comment was extremely tone deaf.

This comes on the heels of Jerry Jones stating that Dallas Cowboys players would absolutely stand for the anthem. Which was a follow up of Donald Trump’s “sons of b**ches” comment. NFL players are fed up.

McNair apologized in a statement.

“I regret that I used that expression, I never meant to offend anyone and I was not referring to our players. I used a figure of speech that was never intended to be taken literally. I would never characterize our players or our league that way and I apologize to anyone who was offended by it.”

ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that other Texans players wanted to boycott practice and needed to be convinced to stay. Running back D’Onta Foreman also left over McNair’s comments.

McNair is a huge Trump supporter, who donated over $4.5 million to his campaign. The highest out of all NFL owners.

Several pro athletes, both inside the NFL and other leagues, have added their thoughts on McNair’s comments including Draymond Green, Richard Sherman and others

Draymond Green:
“Wow! This sure does sound very Donald Sterling-esque. But I’m sure the fans pay to see him play and he’s putting himself at risk of CTE by going out there every Sunday and giving 110 percent! Inmates? For starters, let’s stop using the word owner and maybe use the word Chairman. To be owned by someone just sets a bad precedent to start. It’s sets the wrong tone. It gives one the wrong mindset. Webster states that an inmate is a person confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital. Not sure these tax paying men should be referred to as inmates- but what do I know?”

Devi Brown, wife of Texans offensive lineman Duane Brown, also reacted to the comments:

photo via Instagram