As proof no one has learned a lesson about social commentary the NFL continues to step on political rakes.

Remember when we used to be able to watch football without having to choose sides before the kickoff even took place? For years now we have seen the NFL mired in the grips of social activism and the results of the divisiveness has been apparent for some time. In the past year or so there have been lurches made by league officials to subtly distance the league from the polarizing activities, yet these things continue to crop up.

Earlier Brandon Morse wrote on how Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was removed from a league Social Justice committee because he is a vocal and financial backer of President Trump. To say the intolerance for a political viewpoint seems to be at odds for the goals of a league social committee, a larger question unasked is why the league even has a “social justice committee”? It leads to the very contempt the league supposedly wants to avoid, and the result is the very disdain for particular mindsets we see on display.

But as the league has struggled the Miami Dolphins, in particular, have been especially inept on these kinds of matters. Even while the kneeling has fallen away throughout the league one player — Kenny Stills — has persisted with his anthem protests. Stills even goes so far as to lash out angrily at anyone who dares question his motives, and he has been an abrasive presence as a result. Just yesterday he had stern words for rapper Jay-Z.

The performer has partnered with the NFL over social activism, in a means to smooth over the controversies of the past few years. Stills was not overly impressed with the decision.

Kenny Stills on Jay-Z/NFL paternship: "Talking about we're moving past kneeling like he ever protested… Choosing to speak for the people like he had spoken to the people… I wonder if he's read my Facebook/IG comments or what people say to me… It didn't seem very informed." pic.twitter.com/QGak3JKCcO

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 19, 2019

More Kenny Stills on Jay-Z/NFL paternship: "They've done a good job shifting the problem to Roc Nation/Shawn Carter's shoulders… I'm going to try to give this man the benefit of the doubt for now, but it doesn't sit right with me. It's not something I agree with or respect. pic.twitter.com/uqCEBHoyv5

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 19, 2019

Now one day later, seemingly in response to these comments, word from the Dolphins’ training facility is that the head coach, Brian Flores, may have been doing some trolling by playing a series of Jay-Z songs during practice today.

Playlist to start Dolphins practice: “Show Me What You Got by Jay-Z, “Brooklyn We Go Hard” by Jay, “Ni**gas in Paris” by Jay and Kanye West, and “Run This Town” by Jay and Rihanna. All in a row. Would be an incredible coincidence after Kenny Stills’ comments about Jay yesterday.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 20, 2019

99 Problems going now. This is either some big-time trolling or the DJ is the biggest Jay fan ever.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 20, 2019

So after all of this time, it appears that the politicization within the NFL continues, and it is to the point that divisions even within the teams may be taking place — all as a result of the league attempting to smooth over these very problems.

The NHL season opens on October 2, when the St. Louis Blues meet the Washington Capitals.