The NFL’s commitment to the upcoming US presidential election seems to have been well received, at least by the players. Most of the active players are setting a good example.

After the NFL already cancelled all training on election day to allow as many employees as possible to participate in the U.S. presidential election, almost 90 percent of all active players registered for the election.

NFL campaign reaches millions of people
According to the NFL and the players’ union (NFLPA), 90 percent of all active players have registered. In addition, the “NFL Votes” campaign is said to have reached tens of millions of people and encouraged them to vote.

For several weeks, players such as Shaquem Griffin, Shaquill Griffin, Todd Gurley, Cameron Jordan, George Kittle, Laremy Tunsil, Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson provided completely neutral and fact-based information about the upcoming election.

Some teams are even expected to show a 100 percent turnout. In addition, many teams are making their stadiums available as polling stations on election day in order to be able to pick up as many people as possible.

NFL does not shy away from confrontation with Trump
Since in the course of the Black Lives Matter movement also some NFL players expressed their displeasure and received full support on the part of the NFL, the league must often take criticism from the current US president Donald Trump.

He criticizes the kneeling of some players during the national anthem and calls such behavior unpatriotic. However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has publicly opposed this on several occasions and encouraged the players to protest, which in turn has angered the president.

In addition, some NFL head coaches like Pete Carroll or Sean Payton publicly opposed Trump and his policies. There were also large-scale voter initiatives in the other major sports leagues such as the NBA or NHL. Here, too, some athletes publicly spoke out against Trump.