The NFL has to play the game.
It’s the same game Jesse Jackson played with the Rainbow coalition. A corporation either makes a donation or sponsorship or face huge negative branding from the righteous Rainbow coalition for prejudice.
The NFL faces the same system with the liberal left orgs. What better way to gain acceptance for same sex marriage than have Big Strong NFL Football players come out in support of Same Sex Marriage.
The NFL is in business as an entertainment organization. They want above all to avoid negative press or accusations. It’s all a game.
Well to me (and the majority of football fans) this is huge negative press.