From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

Race politics and the NFL's culture of silence.

Hello again, I'm Marvin Alney, and this is To the Point. The National Football League is as American as apple pie with deep roots in popular

culture. Now, the nation's most profitable sports enterprise is caught up in race politics,

with some players refusing to stand for the Star-Spangled Banner. So far, only black players have

been taking the knee, but some white teammates are joining demands for racial equality.

And that's not all.

Players are also speaking out about long-term injury, as research shows the longer and harder

they play, the more likely is permanent brain damage.

Today's talking point after Charlottesville, the ACLU sees limits to the First Amendment. First, here's the news.

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Hello again, Mormon-Aulney, back with To the Point.

Devoted sports fans may not like it, but America's most divisive controversy has reached the National Football League.

We'll hear how players are speaking out for racial equality and protection from debilitating injury.

Later on today's talking point,

the ACLU defended the right of Unite the Right to demonstrate in Charlottesville. Then came last weekend's deadly violence. Now ACLU affiliates in California say free speech as its limits.

First, this news update. It is official. The White House says, Chief of Staff,

John Kelly, and Steve Bannon have agreed this will be Steve's last day. Did the president's

chief strategist resign, or was he fired? Here's the president talking about Bannon last Tuesday.

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