ESPN has suspended Jemelle Hill for comments on Twitter that told fans not to rely on “Dez or Dak” to fight for their social justice concerns. Relying on the players puts “an unfair burden” on them, she says. (Hill refers to Cowboys stars Dez Bryant and Dak Prescott.) After Cowboys owner Jerry Jones forbid his players to kneel during the national anthem, Hill said the fans who were bothered by Jones’s dictate should take matters into their own hands. “YOU do it,” she wrote. Hill cautioned against fans calling black players who don’t kneel “sellouts” because Jones puts them in an untenable spot.
But Hill seems to want it both ways — don’t we all? — in her tweets. She overtly said “Don’t ask Dak, Dez & other Cowboys players to protest. A more powerful statement is if you stop watching and buying their merchandise.” That sounds specifically like she’s telling people to boycott the very product ESPN relies on — NFL Football. But at the same time Hill said “Just so we’re clear: I’m not advocating a NFL boycott. But an unfair burden has been put on players in Dallas & Miami w/ anthem directives.” ESPN suspended Hill (see statement below) for two weeks.
Just so we’re clear: I’m not advocating a NFL boycott. But an unfair burden has been put on players in Dallas & Miami w/ anthem directives.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
No, I think the Cowboy fans — the paying customers — need to pick up this fight. Don’t look to Dez or Dak. YOU do it. https://t.co/f9YjZFgGGt
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
ESPN’s Statement on Jemele Hill: pic.twitter.com/JkVoBVz7lv
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) October 9, 2017
