On this special edition of the TFG Pod, Melissa shares her views on the deeply disturbing new anthem policy wrong, and the possible ramifications for the NFL. She also discusses a recent Player’s Coalition event in Oakland rooted in criminal justice reform and a particularly poignant statement from 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman. Then Howard Bryant, ESPN the Magazine senior writer and author of the prescient new book, The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America and the Politics of Patriotism, joins to offer his fiery lens on the anthem policy and what’s next for the players. Bryant is hopeful this policy will ignite a true coalition of players but is skeptical given the union’s decades-long lack of moral backbone. Also three NFL fans announce they are done with the league after the new anthem policy. THE RUNDOWN 1:30: A fun announcement about the TFG Podcast 5:30: Melissa attends a Player’s Coalition event in Oakland 7:52: Richard Sherman on why sports and politics SHOULD mix 9:10: The NFL players got royally screwed by the new anthem policy 11:35: Melissa on the never-ending holes with the anthem policy HOWARD BRYANT JOINS 18:25: New policy confirms skepticism toward union + “players got played” 20:32: We’re going to find out what the players are made of. 23:25: Solidarity among players should have taken priority over working with NFL 25:40: Players need to find more new, creative ways to protest 28:80: Hopeful that Malcolm Jenkins will change his tactics 29:50: How to keep original messaging on target 31:45: Up to the union to create platform where player activism can be passed on