THIS IS EPISODE 42 OF THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
Demario Davis is in his 6th year as a linebacker in the NFL. He was selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. After four seasons in New York, he signed with the Browns in the offseason of 2016.
On June 1, 2017, Davis was traded back to New York and is now once again starting at linebacker for the Jets at Met Life Stadium.
Through 3 games in the 2017 season, Demario is second in the NFL in tackles with 32 and he helped the Jets win their first game of the season in Week 3 over Miami 20-6.
But it was what happened prior to that win over the Dolphins that had everyone talking.
The comments from President Donald Trump regarding NFL players protesting the National Anthem struck a cord with the league’s teams and players.
On this episode of the podcast, Demario Davis will talk about standing and locking arms with teammates during the National Anthem on Sunday, what went on in the team meeting the night before, why this has caused such division in our country and what the plans are for him and the Jets going forward.
TIMELINE:
1:25 – His initial thoughts after President Trump’s comments
4:05 – Meeting with his teammates the Saturday before the game and the discussions that take place.
7:45 – On that moment like on the field before the game when the team locks arms.
9:15 – On being able to turn the light switch on from locking arms pregame to playing football.
10:10 – His initial thoughts on Colin Kaepernick and when he sat during the National Anthem.
15:10 – Why the demonstrations are taking place and the anger within the Christian community.
18:25 – How can our society come to a common ground
20:20 – What happens next with the team and the National Anthem?
21:45 – Closing prayer from Demario.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
“What I try to do is not let my emotions dictate how I respond, or what I say, or what I do. I try to look at it through a biblical lens.”
“The Bible commands us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. People have to learn to love people who are different than them. If you’re not loving them, then you’re hating them.”
“I don’t have a solution to the problem. But if we don’t have a solution, and if you just start talking, you’re just adding to it. But what we can do is change the message and have a message of unity and not divided but coming together and putting our differences aside.”
“I just asked the team if they’d be willing to lock arms and everybody just kind of said yeah and the coach asked everyone and they agreed.”
“I play football but that’s not who I am. I’m a man first. I’m a child of God first.”
“When you only want to see your side, you’re going to struggle.”
“I think what he said was very divisive. It wasn’t helpful to any of the problems going on in the country, they just increased them. And that’s not what you want from your leadership right now.”
“You can’t choose the words that somebody else says. All you can choose is how you respond to them. Let’s just change the message.”
“We call can work together to figure out a solution to the problem.”
“I think Christians in America do a good job of loving God, but we don’t necessarily do a good job of loving others.”
“We’re supposed to be a light to the world of what love looks like. Loving somebody who is different than you.”
Click below to watch Demario Davis in the locker room talking about courage after the Jets win over Miami in Week 3 on September 24, 2017.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZcb62sHTu6/?hl=en&taken-by=nyjets
