NEW YORK -- The NFL fall owners meeting is underway, Tuesday and Wednesday in lower Manhattan, and part of the meeting this year involves players sitting down with team owners to discuss the recent, league-wide national anthem protests.
Players and owners hope to find a common message on social and racial justice issues this week, which is the reason they are sitting down together.
Among the players meeting with owners Tuesday: Jets inside linebacker Demario Davis, Jets left tackle Kelvin Beachum, Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, and Eagles defensive lineman Chris Long.
Jets ownership is not represented at the meeting. The Jets' acting owner, Christopher Johnson, is the younger brother of Woody Johnson, who has handed over his ownership duties while serving as President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Kingdom. Woody Johnson was a big-money Trump supporter during last year's election.
Earlier this season, Trump vulgarly ripped NFL players who choose to peacefully protest the anthem by kneeling. Trump said the NFL's owners should cut those players.
Giants co-owner John Mara is present at Tuesday's meeting, along with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie. All told, 12 current players from eight teams are at the meeting, plus retired star receiver Anquan Boldin. Among ownership, 11 teams are represented -- one owner from each.
The NFL is represented at the meeting by commissioner Roger Goodell and executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent, a former Eagles star cornerback. The NFLPA is represented by executive director DeMaurice Smith, president Eric Winston, and senior director of player affairs Don Davis.
On Tuesday, Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin (who is not present at the meeting) co-signed a letter with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The letter, which was about criminal justice reform, was sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.