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Texans Owner's 'Inmates' Comment Kicks Off Another NFL Firestorm

Texans owner Bob McNair reportedly warned other NFL owners against the league's players becoming "inmates running the prison."

Texans Owner's 'Inmates' Comment Kicks Off Another NFL Firestorm
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Houston Texans owner Bob McNair sparked another NFL controversy after saying the league's players couldn't become "inmates running the prison."

That quote comes from an ESPN article that details a pair of meetings: a respectful and productive meeting between NFL owners and players, and a nonplayers meeting in which McNair made that comment.

The NFL's players have been at odds with team owners over ongoing national anthem protests, which some owners have threatened to outlaw. McNair's comments came as he was arguing against letting players protest.

Long Before NFL Players Started Kneeling, Olympians Raised A Fist
Long Before NFL Players Started Kneeling, Olympians Raised A Fist

Long Before NFL Players Started Kneeling, Olympians Raised A Fist

Tommie Smith and John Carlos made history in October 1968 with their iconic bowed heads and raised fists during the national anthem.

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Current and former NFL players blasted McNair's comments as insensitive, and the team reportedly almost skipped practice over the report.

McNair has since apologized and said he "would never characterize our players or our league that way." Another meeting between the players and owners is scheduled for next week.