The Houston Texans are reportedly snubbing free agents who have knelt in protest during the playing of the national anthem, the controversial dissent first started by former San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
"I spoke with two NFL agents this week who said word is the Texans aren't interested in any players who participated in pregame kneel-downs in protest of police brutality," sports columnist Jerome Solomon wrote in the Houston Chronicle.
"There is no directive within the organization, but it is considered to be understood that as desperate as the Texans are to bring in talent, the pool of potential signees and draftees will not include anyone who has participated in protests or are likely to."
The Texans front office has dismissed the report as "categorically false and without merit. The Texans ownership, coaching, personnel and executive staff sign and hire employees based on talent, character and fit within our organization.
Last season, Texans owner Bob McNair said "we can't have the inmates running the prison" during a meeting of NFL owners about players who protest by kneeling during the national anthem, according to The State newspaper. He later apologized to players.
The Texans website was business as usual on Tuesday, announcing: "The Texans, and the rest of the NFL, can begin signing free agents at 3 p.m. on March 14 … General manager Brian Gaine has said a few different times that the Texans will explore all avenues to improve the club. There's a good bet they'll make some signings in nine days."
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