Broncos' Marshall talked out of gloved tribute to Obama
The possibility of a yellow flag curtailed Brandon Marshall's red, white and blue tribute to President-elect Barack Obama with a black-and-white glove.
After scoring the go-ahead touchdown with just over a minute left in Denver's 34-30 win at Cleveland on Thursday night, the Broncos' star receiver pulled the glove from his pants. He was about to put it on and raise his fist in the style of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who made controversial black power salutes at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
Slot receiver Brandon Stokley rushed to him in the back of the end zone and persuaded him to nix the salute because the Broncos couldn't afford a 15-yard celebration penalty at that moment.
"That's what a good, old veteran is for," Marshall said.
After the game, Marshall, who is black, read a statement he wrote about how inspired he was by Obama becoming the first black man elected to the nation's highest office.
"Barack Obama's election as the 44th president of the United States is a tremendous symbol of unity," Marshall said. "I want to create that symbol of unity because Obama inspires me (and) a multicultural society, and I know at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised that black glove and fist in a silent gesture of black power and liberation.
"Forty years later, I wanted to make my own statement and gesture to represent the progress we made," Marshall said. "I might get some criticism, but social landmarks are bigger than fines to me, especially two days out of an historic election."
Dolphins' Porter sorry, but ... : Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter offered an apology Friday to Jacksonville receiver Matt Jones but stood by his complaint about NFL fines and suspensions. During a national conference call Wednesday, Porter questioned how Jones could be playing despite a felony cocaine charge against him earlier this year.
Lighter in their wallets: Vikings defensive end Jared Allen defensive end was fined $50,000 Friday by the NFL for two below-the-knee hits on Texas quarterback Matt Schaub last week. Allen was listed as doubtful because of a shoulder injury for Sunday's game against Green Bay.
- Giants defensive end Justin Tuck was fined $7,500 by the NFL for his hit Sunday on Cowboys quarterback Brooks Bollinger.
- The NFL fined Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson $15,000 and Bengals guard Andrew Whitworth $10,000 for an altercation and ejection Sunday.
- Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley was fined $10,000 for slamming Washington quarterback Jason Campbell to the ground in Monday night's game.
Injuries and comebacks: Neither defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch nor linebacker Keith Bulluck practiced Friday, and both were listed as questionable on the Titans' injury report for Sunday's game against the Bears at Soldier Field.
- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger practiced despite being limited by his slightly separated right shoulder and may be able to play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Running back Willie Parker may miss the game with a shoulder injury.
- Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister will have season-ending surgery on his damaged right knee and will be placed on injured reserve.
- Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky says he may need thumb surgery for two fractures and a torn ligament.
- Giants safety James Butler will miss Sunday night's game against Philadelphia with a knee injury,
- Wide receiver Deion Branch is practicing with the first-team offense and has a chance to play for the Seahawks on Sunday against Miami. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is finally back on the practice field, too, but is not expected to play against the Dolphins.
- Three weeks ago, running back Kenneth Darby was part of the Atlanta practice squad. On Sunday, he'll be an NFL starter for the Rams against the Jets in New York.
- Cornerback DeAngelo Hall agreed to a one-year contract with the Redskins.
- Linebacker Mike Peterson was back with the Jaguars after being sent home and not practicing for two straight days.