Cowardly NFL goes backward with anthem decision

Asked about the new NFL policy on players standing during the national anthem, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer created a noun smoothie, comfort food for those who don't want to think too deeply about systemic racism in America.

You throw in the troops, the flag and freedom, hit blend, and you sound like you're taking a patriotic stand.

That's essentially what NFL owners and Roger Goodell did this week — take a stance that will appease the White House and a segment of fans, at the expense of empathy for black players protesting the killing of unarmed black men by police officers.

Remember? That's what this was always about, before the story was intentionally muddied. So before we drink another noun…