The NFL's response to President Donald Trump and the widespread protests this past weekend have sparked outrage on both sides of the issue, but one prominent member of the NFL community has decided to direct his frustration towards the fans.
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Joey Odoms may not be an NFL superstar, but he was an important member of the Baltimore Ravens, serving as the national anthem singer for the past three seasons at M&T Bank Stadium.
Odoms announced his decision to leave his position, announcing his resignation on Tuesday on Facebook. He cited the reaction from NFL fans in response to player protests. While some have supported the movement, others have vocally and loudly disapproved of it — even when it came before the national anthem.
That all played into Odoms' decision, at least according to what he said on Facebook, via ESPN:
"The tone/actions of a large number of NFL fans in the midst of our country's cultural crisis have convinced me that I do not belong there," Odoms wrote on Facebook. "Someone once told me to always 'go where you're welcomed.'"
"This is not an emotional reaction to recent events, rather an ethical decision that part of me regrets but my core knows is the right choice," Odoms posted on Facebook. "Thank you so much for the opportunity to grow as a performer and for allowing me to live out a dream of sharing my gift with you."
The Ravens did acknowledge and confirm the fact that Odoms stepped down from his role with the organization, and they thanked him for what he accomplished over three seasons with the Ravens.
The trick for Baltimore is now trying to find a replacement for Odoms before this Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While singing the national anthem for an NFL audience would previously be a sought-after gig, things have certainly become much more complicated now that the protests have become much bigger than Colin Kaepernick.
