Bob Costas is about to unite an entire country. (OK, probably not.)
The NBC Sports personality has a whole new idea on how players can handle the national anthem this Sunday — but first, he got an obligatory conceit out of the way: “This is a humble suggestion on my part, because who am I, a very fortunate white man, to tell primarily African-American citizens what they should do?” Costas said Saturday on CNN.
“The idea of linking protests, no matter how legitimate the issue you are protesting, directly to the National Anthem is not just offensive to the love-it-or-leave-it crowd — it actually causes ambivalent feelings, at best, among many people who are sympathetic to the issue but see the anthem as representing a lot of different things, including the country’s ideals and aspirations,” he continued. “So to me, perhaps the most effective thing to do would be to stand for the national anthem, but the second the last note is struck, take a knee.”
Makes sense as a compromise, we suppose — it’s kind of a reverse version of what Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys did on “Monday Night Football” this week. And the television cameras will stick around until the tail-end of the “Star-Spangled Banner” these days, anyway — something sports commentators like Costas are still getting used to.
“Most of the time, unless it’s the Super Bowl or World Series and you want to see the singer, they’re in commercial during the anthem,” he said. “Now, you’re going to see it.”
Watch Costas’ CNN spot here, and let us know in the comments section what you think of the proposal.
This idea is different from the former face of the Olympics’ previous society-saving idea.
“I would have the P.A. guy say, ‘Please stand for our national anthem and in recognition of the ideals it represents,'” Costas said to Bill Maher last week. “That would then encompass conservatives, liberals and everyone in between. I think that would make it more palatable.”
The take-a-knee movement was started last summer by then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. His one-man protest against police brutality and racial inequality in America really caught fire last weekend after President Trump made some disparaging remarks about participating players.
10 Major Moments from Hugh Hefner's Career (Photos)
Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner built an empire publishing nude photos and high-quality interviews. Over the years, he also became known for as a reality TV Star and philanthropist as well as a media mogul. Here are 10 key moments from Hefner’s groundbreaking career.
Leaving Esquire
In 1952, Hefner worked as a copywriter at Esquire. After being denied a $5 raise, he quit the magazine, determined to start his own. He took out a mortgage of $600 and raised another $8,000 from 45 investors, including $1,000 from his own mother.
Playboy’s first issue
Hefner used the seed money to start Playboy Magazine (although the name changed: It was originally going to be called Stag Party, but Hefner couldn’t use that name because someone else owned the trademark). The first issue hit newsstands in 1953, featuring nude photos of Marilyn Monroe from a 1949 calendar shoot. The issue was a hit, selling more than 50,000 copies.
"Playboy’s Penthouse"
Hefner hosted the short-lived variety and talk TV show “Playboy’s Penthouse” in 1959, which was set up like a part at his apartment helped make the Playboy Bunnies famous. The show featured interviews with celebrities and featured names like Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald. It ended in 1961 after one season, but helped popularize Hef's famous "Playboy lifestyle."
Dick Gregory at the Playboy Club
With the success of Playboy, Hefner began growing a corporate empire. He founded the Playboy Club in Chicago and hired comedian Dick Gregory after seeing him perform at another club. The regular gig at the Playboy Club marked the big break for Gregory’s career.
A reputation for journalism
In 1962, Playboy started to develop its reputation for journalism with the first Playboy Interview, in which author Alex Haley interviewed musician Miles Davis. Playboy became known for high-quality, revealing interviews with famous subjects over the subsequent years.
Arrest for selling obscene literature
Hefner was arrested and went to trial after being accused of selling obscene literature in 1963, after the publishing of an issue that featured nude photos of actress Jayne Mansfield. The jury was unable to reach a verdict, though, and the charges were eventually dropped.
"Playboy After Dark"
In 1969, Hefner hosted another variety show similar to “Playboy’s Penthouse,” but with a more rock and roll focus. The show featured guests such as Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown and Milton Berle, but only ran until 1970.
Stepping away from the empire
Hefner suffered a small stroke in 1985, which caused him to re-evaluate the Playboy lifestyle. He named his daughter chair and CEO of the Playboy empire in 1988, but stayed on at the magazine as editor-in-chief. After that, Hefner turned much of his attention to philanthropic efforts through the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation, often focusing on First Amendment freedoms and promoting free expression.
“The Girls Next Door”
In 2006, Hefner starred in “The Girls Next Door,” a reality show about the daily lives of his three girlfriends at the time, Holly Madison, Kendra Wilkinson and Bridget Marquardt, who lived with him in the Playboy Mansion. The show ran for six seasons and 90 episodes, ending in 2010.
Razzie nomination
After playing himself in the 2009 movie “Miss March,” Hefner was nominated for a Razzie award for “Worst Supporting Actor.” He joked about the nomination on his Twitter account, saying, “Maybe he didn’t understand the character.”
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Hugh Hefner’s career as a media mogul spanned more than 50 years
Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner built an empire publishing nude photos and high-quality interviews. Over the years, he also became known for as a reality TV Star and philanthropist as well as a media mogul. Here are 10 key moments from Hefner’s groundbreaking career.
