In a season of national anthem protests, not much has been said among NFL players about the most divisive national campaign in history. Until now.
Mike Freeman of BleacherReport.com writes that the Bills locker room has become fractured regarding coach Rex Ryan’s open support of Donald Trump.
“Rex is such an open-minded guy, a really good person,” an unnamed Bills player told Freeman. “But the fact he could back someone as closed-minded as Trump genuinely shocked me.”
Said another unnamed Bills player, “I see Trump as someone who is hostile to people of color, and the fact that Rex supports him made me look at him completely differently, and not in a positive way.”
Ryan declined to comment for Freeman’s story, but one Bills player opted to go on the record to support Rex, and Trump.
“I think that he can help this nation get back to a world superpower,” guard Richie Incognito told Freeman. “Where I think he could help is putting us first again and having that -- it’s my mentality, too -- having that tough attitude where you put America first and everyone’s thinking we’re the greatest nation in the world. Don’t mess with America. That toughness is where I identify with him.”
The internal disagreement regarding politics has yet to impact the team in a negative way; since starting 0-2, the Bills have beaten the Cardinals and Patriots. Still, as the election approaches and (perhaps more importantly) after it ends, tensions could rise in the Buffalo locker room, and among other NFL teams.