NFL deserves this. Although Trump's malicious opportunism on the issue is disgraceful the NFL wrapped itself in the flag, accepting massive military advertising and making ever more "patriotic" pregame and half time displays, but could not, or would not stop its players from the anthem/flag protests. The league is no civil rights paragon. In the NFL game, life altering, life shortening concussions appear to be the rule, not the exception, as mostly minority players make lots of quick but ultimately costly and far from easy money providing this injury prone spectacle. Meanwhile the NFL gives only token recognition to, and compensation for the damage caused by the game.
This what happen you surrender to a bully. The bully come back for more. Do the Commissioner Roger Goodell will be the poodle of Donald Trump? Or do the Commissioner Goodell will be standing for the NFL players, the Constitution and the First Amendment?
Trump has targeted the NFL as revenge when late commissioner Pete Roselle said that Trump would own an NFL "over my dead body.". Trump ruined the USFL by convincing it to challenge the NFL in the fall instead of remaining in the spring.
2
Rather than cow towing to the President perhaps the owners were responding to their customers. Follow the money my friend.
As I recall, Trump the Great dabbled with being an owner of a professional football team. Like other enterprises he's drove into the ground, this one also failed.
Yesterday, I saw some brave soul kneeling on the White House lawn. Good for him. I also heard someone shout, "stop using the Armed Forces and the National Anthem to hide behind your false patriotism". Again, kudos.
It should be obvious by now Trump is full of it, right up to his bloodshot eyeballs and that fur piece on his dome. He says he believes strongly in American, and the brave people who have paid the ultimate price in service to their country. Yet yesterday he dissed a Gold Star family, the Khans, from coming to the White House, and declares he does not think John McCain is a hero. This coming from a coward who, when duty called, sought refuge on the Upper East Side with five deferments from another one of his hack doctors for bone spurs.
How so many deplorable ignoramuses can still support chicken hawk Trump begs incredulity. In his celebration of those who did serve, at no time did Trump acknowledge or pay honor to all those souls lost on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.
Didn't his miracle pillow-talking buddy Hannity, another chicken hawk, remind him? If this nation needed to rely on cowards like Trump and Hannity in WWII, we'd be speaking German and Japanese today.
DD
Manhattan
6
'How so many deplorable ignoramuses can still support chicken hawk Trump begs incredulity.'
Surely it DEMANDS incredulity rather than begging it (or did you mean 'beggar'?) - incredulity is the only thoughtful response. It DOES beggar comprehension.
1
How incredible - Trump supports/likes Roseanne Barr and calls NFL players SOBs. No-one in the history of the pregame tradition, has been as disrespectful to the flag and the anthem as Barr. In San Diego she purposely sang out of key, spit on completion of the song, and grabbed her crotch (something Trump would do, but not to himself).
Trump the great divider and the great patriot, is on the wrong side of another issue.
2
Oh, nowwwww I get it! Trump was shut out of buying his own team so he’s driven by narcissistic vindictiveness. Got it. That makes soooo much more sense...
1
We all have a trump problem . . . whether we know it or not.
If a player is not standing for the national anthem, Mr. Trump said, “Maybe you shouldn’t be in the country.”
This, coming from Cadet Bone Spurs.
4
Last Summer, Trump and the Republicans said nothing about the Alt-Right movement and their preference of carrying flags bearing the Swastika. The President went so far as to brand them "Good People". Between 1941 and 1945 the regime that the Swastika represented accounted for the death of 300,000 plus Americans, the very troops, heir Trump is so hell bent on using as a shield and demanding respect for. So ask yourself who disrespects the troops more. Pandering to a group carrying the swastika and what that meant in WW II or a Athlete taking a knee during the anthem.
1
My suggestion to NFL players: Stand with fisted hand on your heart.
5
I’m a white Vietnam Veteran. I served with a lot of African Americans and my life depended on their selfless courage when push came to shove, In civilian life I worked with and for a number of African Americans and was proud to do so.
I hope every African American will stay in the locker room for the National Anhem during the first game of opening season.
These obsessive displays of public patriotism and military worship were a hallmark of Hitler and his Nazi thugs as a means to quell dissent and democracy.
Sinclair Lewis is credited with this; “When fascism comes to America it will carry a bible and be wrapped in the American flag.” This is is no longer a prediction, but a reality.
Come November send a cleaner message to Trump that his assault on Democracy is coming to an end.
14
All of their teammates should stay there with them during that anthem.
12
Why in the world does the Times devote so much attention to this issue? You're simply playing into Trump's hand. Publicity is Trump's oxygen.
1
The easiest way to stop all of this posturing is to stop playing the national anthem at league games. It's fine at international competitions, but totally unnecessary and jingoistic at domestic games.
14
We ALL still have a Trump problem... 959 more days, unless we get lucky.
2
Billionaire on billionaire ‘crime’.
Fun for all. Gotta love it.
1
Am I right in suspecting that many of the players are every bit as patriotic as President Trump but are forced to kneel for the anthem by the unpleasant disability of bone spurs.
6
I suggest, now that they have made their point, the players redirect their kneeling to protest draft dodgers. Now that would be patriotism.
1
The basic question is not about Mr. Trump or racial injustice in America. The basic question is whether an employer has to tolerate political protesting by employees while they are on the clock. If the NFL owners have to tolerate the knee, then a customer facing employee at the Times has the right to wear a MAGA hat to work and a receptionist at Planned Parenthood can wear an "Abortion Is Murder" shirt on the job.
1
You make some valid points. However, the bigger question is whether the President should be injecting himself into this issue and urging or engaging in punishment for those who are involved.
To me the fact of one person's interjection into the issue, even if he is the president, is less important than the basic issue of employer's rights vs employee's rights.
Perhaps it's just me, but if a receptionist at Planned Parenthood feels the need to express him or herself on the job by wearing an 'Abortion Is Murder' shirt, maybe a different job is in order?
The larger issue here is that the actual President of the United States is dictating (or attempting to dictate) to private business how they should conduct their business. This is in no way part of the duties of the POTUS. Not spelled out, or even hinted at, in the Constitution.
The POTUS, who represents the government, is interfering in the First Amendment rights of the NFL and the players by suggesting--demanding, really--that the players be fired for exercising their First Amendment rights to not stand for the anthem. And make no mistake about it, not standing for the anthem is a form of protected speech.
This is far and away the much larger issue about this whole kerfuffle. The President is deciding who has freedom of speech and who does not and who should be punished for exercising their freedom of speech.
This is frightening.
No. The NFL has a Goodell problem. The owners need to tell Trump to shove it, and either respect their players' non-violently and non-disruptively expressing their beliefs (against racism, not the flag) or stop collecting a fortune selling their images and names.
1
As a a New England fan since emigrating from Scotland in the early 70's I have watched the rise of the Pats from hapless also rans with Grogan, Eason, etc. to the present dynasty, I sadly have decided to pass this upcoming NFL season. If the owners can't bring themselves to stand up for the workers,(players), then I will opt out supporting their business. No more Sundays, or Monday Nights with friends quaffing a few beers and wings, too bad, so sad. Thank you Mr Trump for dividing our country once again. My Gronk jersey will remain in the closet this fall.
10
I suggest the players who want to protest stay in the locker room, and take a knee during the anthem. They should film their protest and post the videos on YouTube.
4
Great idea, though it’s likely not allowed under their contract.
This fan is done with the NFL.
10
Not condoning Trump behavior on this issue, but this article seems like an excuse to provide yet another slam on the NFL policy. This newspaper and others are harping on that to excess.
1
This is a president who took a knee to serving in the U.S. military. I don’t think he is in any position to criticize others he considers un American, he needs to “look at the beam in his own eye.”
8
How can we solve all of our social ills without the NFL? Without them leading the way against domestic abuse and unjustified police shootings, we have no chance. Well, at least if the NFL folds, there will be fewer African American millionaires, which is obviously the desire of many readers.
3
American Football is in decline, partly because of the league's politics, but mostly because of the endemic brain damage.
5
Costs too. Way too many tax handouts. Most cities can’t even pass a school mileage , but 1/4 billion for a stadium, no problem.
2
When Trump wears his Army uniform from when he joined up during the Vietnam War to actually SERVE HIS COUNTRY, is when the players will stand and put their hands over their hearts during the National Anthem.
Maybe Donald dodged the draft because he didn't want to have his hair cut. That's the only thing that makes sense.
15
It's obvious Trump is a snake. Why do people keep picking him up?
13
Let's end the tradition of playing the anthem at NFL and other sporting events. These games are entertainment, and we don't play the anthem before concerts, operas or movies. That practice dates back to WW2 and times of event-inspired patriotism such as 9-11. Limit anthem use to holiday games - baseball on July 4, football on Veterans Day. Let's stop equating sports with war and crusade. Yeah, I know ...won't happen, but one can hope.
35
Just the opposite, we should play the anthem before ALL entertainment events - movies, TV shows, operas, symphonies, band concerts, theatrical shows etc. - until everyone gets thoroughly sick of it and understands that it's a meaningless gesture with very little relationship to real patriotism.
3
I'll be boycotting the NFL and it's advertisers. I won't mess with your second amendment rights......don't mess with my first amendment rights.
8
Can you imagine the Times coverage if Trump was President while the FBI was bungling it’s investigation of Larry Nasser? By the way, who was President of the US in 2915-16?
Larry Nasser's crimes took place over decades and spanned multiple administrations of both parties.
2
Trump's still angry about being denied his own NFL team. He wants to use his presidency to destroy the NFL for keeping him out if that exclusive club he so desired. No one holds a grudge like DJT.
10
God rid of the anthem and military flyovers . Just play ball.
13
The NFL owners, billionaires all, are somewhat like Trump. They aren't used to any of their employees having a say in their business. They still haven't figured out that the players are more important than they are. Sure, they have the money and the rule-making power but the players are who the public wants to see.
Nobody cares who owns the team, they are just a bunch of middlemen who take a huge chunk of the money the fans are willing to give the players to perform.
The Cowboys' Jerry Jones is a prime example of the rich guy feeling he's not getting the proper amount of attention. In his case, even to the point that he and is ego arguably hurt the team's chances of success.
They think they are entitled to tax breaks and any other scheme to line their pockets. Many fans and non-fans see them for what they are - money grubbers who, as members of the .01% own everything.
Fans enable them, true and it's crazy that football players and athletes in general garner more respect than people with jobs that really are more important. But this is not about the players and fans but the owners.
Some of them, I suspect very few, are starting to realize that they need some expert help and I don't mean the joke of a commissioner, Goodell. Their game is going to suffer if they don't get a handle on their problems like long term health problems and this ridiculous national anthem nonsense.
Trying to appease Trump? It's like Br'er Rabbit fighting with the tar baby.
8
People can’t seem to learn a simple lesson: Anyone who gets in bed with Trump lives to rue the day.
Ask anyone who was serving on his administration whom he let go.
Ask the Republican Party.
Ask his wives...
14
Old white men, like myself, agreeing that an old white president, who equates protesters with the KKK, is right, because that is their beliefs too, have no idea what the players concerns are.
Why not try a different approach and set up joint programs with the players to reduce violence against African Americans by police officers and by black on black crime? Do something to bring people together and not to divide.
and...
There's no white on white crime, Latino on Latino crime, Asian and Asian crime? Crime is driven by proximity and opportunity.
The NFL chose to make their bed with Trump and not their players. NFL owners are a modern version of Plantation owners. They have no qualms about treating their most valuable asset, their players, as chattel. Just because they're millionaires does not take away the stain and insult. The NFL masters care more about the bottom line than doing what is right. In a contest pitting their players against this racist president, it should be no contest. The players beat Trump hands down. NFL owners caved. They would rather persecute and prosecute their players than stand by them. Sports has always been run by white man's rules. For them, the bartering, buying and selling of human flesh is just doing business. They are no better than the White Masters of old.
DD
Manhattan
10
Trump will score major political points by continuing to portray kneeling players as being Un American. The owners know that. This is a fantastic wedge issue going forward to divide Americans along partisan lines. Which is want Trump wants.
13
Both sides are to blame in the controversy, Trump for his meanness and pettiness for criticizing courageous, dare I say noble athletes for playing a dangerous game that I reckon he would not have guts, stamina to play, even if he had the talent, which I doubt /']\
Both sides are to blame: TRUMP, for his meanness and pettiness in criticizing those who have the courage and stamina that he does not have to play a very dangerous game, and the players themselves for "showboating,"politicizing the issue and pretending to show a commitment to social justice,whereas a sincere effort would involve spending one's free time helping out those in need, peril, in dangerous housing projects.Kneeling is easy. What follows is what is important. But real issue is the possibility of injury on the field, which can have lifelong effects.Jim MCMANN, qb for the BEARS, NFL champions in 1986, suffers from memory loss, Willy WOODS, receiver for GB who intercepted a pass, ran for a touchdown in 1967 NFL championship game, has suffered from a brain injury for decades,List is endless. In comparison, "chicaya"over whether or not to stand for the National Anthem has a tertiary importance.Likewise in the NHL, concussions lead to early retirements--Bobby Orr at 30,and worse. Reg Fleming, Rangers's "enforcer"in 1970's, could not remember his name before his death.To kneel or not to kneel should not be our focus.It is a red herring, a distraction.
'
2
That’s the thing about freedom, you get to chose your political stances and they did.
Showing weakness before a bully only prompts more bullying.
The owners should have learned this from history, if not their own childhoods...though one, the owner of the Eagles, seems to have done so.
21
The owners are trying to protect there financial interest and just like the concussion issue they want this to go away. They have sided with those kill unarmed Americans or domestic violence victims for a few more dollars.
4
It's ridiculous to conflate football with the military. One has nothing to do with the other. If anything, playing the national anthem before sporting events cheapens the anthem, making it no more than just another song before the game begins-like "We Will Rock You" or "Eye of the Tiger" or any of the dozen songs played over and over to drunk and raucous crowds. The national anthem should be reserved for occasions that have meaning and dignity, when it is appropriate to honor and remember the fallen. Before a football game, when people are distracted --drinking, eating, laughing, talking, finding seats, etc.-- is not that time.
44
I agree wholeheartedly with you. Playing the anthem at commercial events--and all pro sports are nothing but commercial events--definitely cheapens it. The anthem deserves to be used only for truly important events.
22
Mrs. PEA: As Graham Greene wrote, and I am paraphrasing, cynicism is cheap; you can find it on any street corner. No, it is not inappropriate to play the national anthem before our national past time, football. It is an expression of our greatness as a nation,a manifestation of our ability to put on such a spectacle, and a unifier for all Americans.Trump can be mean and petty, but as I mentioned in a previous comment,athletes who kneel are showboating, unless and until they back up their gesture with concrete acts of philanthropy. Prior to every NHL game played in Canada, "0 Canada" is sung, and Canadians, much less disputatious than we Americans, are o.k.with that!
I agree, except to the extent that I don't like the national anthem being used like Semper Fi. It is not a military song, or a fallen soldier's memorial. It is a song for the whole country. Maybe we should change it to "This Land is Your Land" to really support unity and patriotism.
1
The threat from Trump to our nation is real.
27
The damage from Obama will take decades to repair.
1
what damage?
2
With all this nonsense and the concussion issues, it at least looks all this is going to be a boon for the American soccer program.
6
I don't watch football, don't believe national anthems should be played for glorified circuses, believe the Olympics causes division not unity, but I understand stats.
60-70% of NFL viewers are republican or republican leaning. NFL owners are going silently along with Trump because they know their audience.
Trump is ideologically hollow. But he reads his base. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan - states that should be blue, but Hillary and the Democrats lost (as compared to Trump and the GOP winning). Steel tariffs and respect for the Flag and Football resonate.
Pitting young black millionaires against working Class fans is the battle Trump wants to fight in those states.
19
While giving tax handouts to billionaires.
Has anyone ever seen pro golfers stand for the anthem at PGA events?
Of course not. They don’t even play the anthem before the start of each day’s play in matches held in the USA.
It’s well known that Trump is an avid golfer, and the players tend to be heavily white - but only a cynic like me would consider that a factor....
Still, why do PGA players get a pass, but we expect token patriotism from all the other major sports?
26
Trump has a preternatural sense of public sentiment.
During the campaign, he promised people that he "would be your voice." That is the voice of those whose opinions were ignored by the media and others in favor of arguments defending actions and situations that they didn't agree with.
He has done this repeatedly. People distrusted the media, public officials, the courts, bureaucrats, the UN, foreign governments, the Mueller investigation, etc and he expressed their thoughts. Polling shows that he is generally right.
Americans support the First Amendment, oppose police brutality, and racial prejudice, but still strongly believe that there's a time and place for proper dissent. It doesn't include disrespect for the flag and national anthem and that sporting events are not the place for organized protest.
Make all the arguments you want, but Trump is reflecting the opinion of the majority of Americans.
5
Except they’re not disrespecting the flag or the military. Perhaps you’re confused as you, and other confused Americans, get your “news” from media outlets that insist that they are. Maybe if you tried to accept the truth of their actions, which these athletes and others continuously stress, you would align yourself to them and see how patriotic they really are. But keep on pushing that false narrative instead.
9
NFL attendance and TV ratings are down because many people who buy the tickets resent seeing highly paid NFL players disrespect their children, spouses, and parents who serve the American people around the corner and around the world. The NFL owners understand this and want to stop the steady decline in their revenue. That is why they are implementing new work rules for their employees.
Is it REALLY asking too much to take a moment before a sporting event to remember the Americans, many of whom spend months or years away from home and sometimes get permanently injured, maimed, killed, who provide security around the world and who make normal life for the rest of us possible? And for the NFL players to make their multimillion dollar salaries instead of doing the menial jobs that they otherwise be forced to do?
Without local police and the US Armed Forces around the world providing peace and security, American economic activity would come to a screeching halt. Or as Tom Freidman liked to say, "Without America on Duty, there can be no America On Line."
Trump is exploiting the NFL players' obtuseness and fatuousness for his own political purposes. But fundamentally, this has very little to do with Trump and a lot to do with the people who buy the tickets. If the NFL players want to protest police brutality, then they should join a separate protest rally for that purpose and stop dissing public servants who make their opulent livelihoods possible.
3
Really? You say: "Is it REALLY asking too much to take a moment before a sporting event to remember the Americans..." Well how about was it asking too much of Donald to have joined the Army during the Vietnam War? Or maybe get drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War? Instead, the NOW patriotic Donald embraces the military, but when he had this chance to ACTUALLY serve his country, he dodged the draft for FIVE YEARS, including miraculously getting bone spurs when the student deferments ran out. Amazing how that worked for Donald, the patriot. So when it was time for Donald to serve his country, instead he turned his back on the military. He could have joined up at any time during that 5 years but DID NOT. He's a patriot when he wants to show off - but he didnt' EARN it like the rest of us did.
10
Yes, it IS too much to bow down to the cult of the military at a domestic sporting event. Football appreciation has nothing to do with the military. The national anthem is not a military memorial song.
4
Corporate cowards disguised as billionaires football team owners.
But their decision makes sense when you realize it was made by 31 men who despise bad news and real problem. Problems that need fixed through hard work. These men simply want problems to go away. Or better yet, never appear. They don’t want to put any effort into solving problems like this. They just want their well-paid people to start a PR campaign and make the problem go away. That’s what they did here. And that’s what they always do.
Corporate cowards the lot of them ( except Mr Laurie).
21
It’s astonishing to me that the NFL owners actually listen to and apparently are afraid of this little weakling fraud of a “president.” To cower like that is so unmanly I’m not sure there is even a word for it. Donald Trump couldn’t be less intimidating.
15
So why does the NFL get tax breaks and why isn’t that a scandal and why isn’t that a story?
Great Job NYT!
18
Because cities want them. Just like other businesses that get tax breaks. And you thought high taxes will not affect businesses.
The players should present themselves to the McAllen, TX facility where parentless immigrant children are being held in wire cages by Trump. The players (in full view of news cameras) should ask to visit with the children, a truly humanitarian endeavor that would win the hearts and minds of Americans almost everywhere.
30
All this fake nationalism from a guy who couldn't serve in the military or pay a dollar in taxes. Donald Trump is a fraud at every level.
24
Like I said, the "kneelers" have no end game. They do not know when they would ever stand again. Do we really want to see that every week? forever? I mean, what would be the event to trigger standing again? Does anybody know? They don't; its just a cute display.
2
That is an excellent point. When will we be done addressing the racial injustice of the present and the past of this country? The answer is never, the healing will be never complete, and we haven't even started it. Maybe kneeling will be a new form of respecting the flag in the future, a way that acknowledges the dark past of this country and starts the healing.
12
I don't really care if they kneel or not! It just doesn't bother me at all and they do have a point to make. Faux patriot trump should just button the pie hole for a change.
10
Jeff Sessions killed the Obama effort to explore and address issues of police brutality. Why do you think that was? That’s a rhetorical question, but reinstating that initiative would be a good start towards indicating that black lives really do matter.
3
The NFL owners chose to climb in bed with military recruiters. Now they they have gotten in bed with Trump on one of his crazy rants- a phony patriotic rant from a draft dodging, whoremonger. I will not watch an NFL game until the owners get the religion of our constitution. NFL players should spend some of that football money on defeating the intolerance that the ugly face of racism spreads in our great country. What is wrong with us? We have become the cartoonish ending to a great democratic empire.
11
Just wondering; what the soldiers thought when raising Old Glory (our Flag) on Iwo Jima.
Dump the Anthem and play football. That's what the fans want. The owners need to be very careful with all this brouhaha. They could end up being out of business. They need to tell Trump to solve bigger problems than kneeling players.
When Donald starts seriously planning his Coronation, this is all going to be old news.
Poor Donald Trump, everybody hates him, guess he should eat some worms.
14
How about being equally outraged that the White House never even bothered to invite the defending WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx. AT ALL. I know, it's not too surprising an inaction by our misogynist-in-chief, but quite an insult to professional female athletes.
12
If the brave NFL owners would read just a bit of history they would learn that it is impossible to appease a psychopath.
16
This is our president. He regresses trade policies to 19th Century standards, he puts us at lows with European nations not seen since before WW I, he insults Canada (no one even knew you could insult Canada), and now he declares war on the greatest American pastime since Wonder Bread. The only thing Trump has yet to do is rescind our citizenship. And leave it to his whipped supporters to go along even with that when Trump comes around to call it necessary step in protecting free speech.
More than the idiocy of a man who does all of this in about as much time as it took our previous president to draft one of the most extensive healthcare reforms since the Johnson era, is the idiocy of a people who believes for this long that Trump and his Republican sycophants are actually doing this for the betterment of our people.
I’d be better off trusting the word of my 7-year-old nephew. At least my nephew understands the importance of relationship, and the necessary expression of free speech on the playground.
20
Please explain to me why NFL is getting a tax exemption??
17
The NFL manages to exist as a non-profit. It's obscene.
10
While we're at it, why do the taxpayers have so subsidize religion via the tax-exempt status of religiouos organizations? Non-belief is also a free choice. Why are non-believers treated like radioactive scum while being forced to pay for fantasy time? Might as well be dancing around a pot and howling at the moon.
1
When will the learn the principal operative: All in the Trump orbit will fly too close to the sun eventually.
7
You have a truly amazing multi-tasking president. In less than a week, on top of the daily grind of writing fatuous tweets, insulting his last true friend in Europe, starting a trade war with America's allies, organizing a patriotic event at the White House, distancing himself from Paul Manafort, whining about being victimized by the DOJ, the FBI, keeping up his ritual of attacks on his own A-G, and probably golfing at Mar-a-Lardo later this week, he still has time to get involved in and upset by individual players in the NFL peacefully protesting. What a guy! No issue is too small for his greatness.
Americans are so fortunate to have him!
11
Trump absolutely cannot let go of an issue once he gets started (national anthem disputes, no collusion, witch hunt). At what point does it go beyond annoying and become an issue of mental competence? We could shrug this off if he was just running his private company and hosting a 3rd rate reality show, but there is too much at stake to deal with this garbage coming from our highest office on a daily basis.
Also, just the irony of someone who avoided the draft demanding that we all respect the military is a little too much...
8
Goodell is a moron. When it comes to issues unrelated to making money for the billionaire owners, he has the wits and cunning of a sea cucumber.
10
Just eliminate playing the national anthem before sporting events. Easy.
Why won’t the NFL do this? Because it would be too easy. Then the NFL is no longer in the spotlight.
Absurd. The NFL is not a major aspect of American life. Get a grip!!
31
Have each NFL player show their reported taxes, and then will the blowhard do the same as a patriot. Actually singing and not nodding.
5
This is so dumb the whole thing. Trump, owners the news. Maybe we should have another useless war like Vietnam where 50,000 died and 100,000 s were wounded to have a real protest. Then the draft dodging, heal spur president would not look so brave.
6
This fake patriotism is so obvious I am amazed so many fall for it. But then again so many voters bought the snake oil. We can only hope this very insecure man goes away. It's hurting our nation.
16
The real culprits here are the white supremacist team owners who, like their corporate advertisers, sought to associate with and manipulate their teams' fans with over-the-top "patriotic" displays replete with "go army" recruiting deals, giant flags, and publicly financed color guards and expensive fighter/bomber stadium "fly-overs". Fake patriotism to sell cheap beers and merchandise. Pathetic.
17
I gave up really watching football after the election (okay I peek at it for a few seconds here and there). I can not support any organization that turns a blind eye to spousal abuse, debilitating head injuries, immoral profits by owners, and now one succumbing to the rants of the man-baby in the WH. Can’t someone stand up to this tyrant?
24
NFL owners failed to realize that by bowing to Trump bullying, they only encouraged the weakling. Never bow to a bully bent upon personal revenge.
13
I am a 72 year old woman who has enjoyed watching the Pats for many, many years. No more. Shame on the NFL . I expected more from Bob Kraft. The owners should stand up to the Thug in the WH.
39
It’s interesting to me that Lurie warned the owners against kow-towing to the ___ in the WH, and subsequently, Mr Lurie’s free-to-stand-or-kneel, high-flying team, named after our country’s mascot, went on to talon a team whose owner bows to trump. I’m going to take this as a sign of things to come, while boycotting the NFL until the owners quit being sissies. These are men who require the strongest and best from the players, while not requiring those qualities from themselves. Unacceptable.
13
The fact that some NFL Players are Black Millionaires, that refuse to kiss his ring, is irrelevant. Right ???
6
To think this could have all been avoided if the owners (as mostly wealthy white men), had instead extended an olive branch to Kaepernick and other players; and as men of great wealth, power, and influence had instead had a public dialogue with players about their experiences as African-Americans and of that of their friends and family with the criminal justice system; and it’s disparate treatment of people of color.
What an amazing thing that could have been...
Instead the owners chose to squander the moment by pandering to the race baiters, and the birther-in-chief. The owners decided to indulge the racists by exerting plantation owner influence, shut down the mutiny, and reject their humanity. Make it about the flag, make it about soldiers, make it about ANYTHING BUT what the players are actually protesting about.
The owners had two choices, listen to their employees, or listen to the rambling racist president. They made their bed, they can lie in it.
29
The owners failed a leadership test with their response and then been rule about protesting inequality and police brutality during the anthem. Instead of making the players the enemy, they should have shown the world all the good that the majority of the players do and worked with the playersto start even more initiatives to combat inequality. Instead they got sucked into trumps narrative and they look like a bunch of white privilege out of touch gasbags. THE players union needs to put the screws to the “owners”.
18
Actually it's the Times with the Trump problem. Other than that, were it a game it would be imbeciles vs the despicable, ooooh what a contest.
Football fans in the stadiums do not all honor the anthem and flag. The real chaos will be fights in the stands as some ticket holders sit, kneel, talk or otherwise "disrespect" the anthem...like they often do. Elect a clown, expect a circus.
20
Why is this N.F.L. sports industry tax exempt????
9
Seems to me that the NFL owners have a plantation/slave owning attitude which is missing thankfully from the NBA.
13
That the following sentence can exist regarding the pettiness of a sitting POTUS is just stunning:
"Yet time and again, the N.F.L. has been cowed by a president willing to use his bully pulpit to win political points and exact a measure of revenge on a league that rejected his efforts to buy a team."
17
Not to sound like a know-it-all but last month I said this would backfire on Trump and the NFL.
7
What started as a protest against police brutality, is now never mentioned in these articles. Trump switched it to players protesting the flag - it was never that. Why does the public and media allow Trump to do this?
35
It’s about race. Red meat for his base. The owners are way behind the players in understanding this.
19
As if it needed to be pointed out, many of the people most angry with the players not standing for the anthem have been themselves over the last many years standing in line to go to the bathroom or standing in the beer line while the anthem was being played. This could be solved if they'd just stop playing the anthem at any games. Why do they do it anyway? Whose bright idea was that. This is sports and entertainment. The whole thing has turned into absurdity thanks to the absurdity we have inhabiting the White House. Most of the country will be happy to see the back end of Mr. Trump as he departs for good.
26
And of those remaining in the stands, how many are singing? An anthem is, after all, a song honoring the country. If we are going to honor the flag and the country we should all sing the anthem. How many even know the words? Perhaps the president would favor us with his a capella rendition...
3
Question: how many box seats and side line fat cats suits are too busy talking, making deals, concentrating on their phones, on things too important, that can't wait who are not standing during the anthem at various sporting events? No outrage from Trump there?
15
What are these player, owners and NFL thinking??
This anthem is an emotional issue.
When emotions rule, reasoning goes out the window.
NFL thought by throwing a flag at this emotion, issue would go away.
Unfortunately, replays show that the echo gets louder and louder.
A reason I hardly watch NFL anymore is the league has intentionally mixed politics and sports.
For good football, I watch UT, A&M, LSU or so many fine NCAA football teams.
I can't wait for an Eagles player to defy this stay in locker room policy and see what this sanctimonious billionaire and his lackey aka Commissioner do with that player.
5
Baseball led the way in politicising its product. It's now the PR arm of the Defense Department what with the B-2 flyovers, camouflage uniforms, 3 acre flags, incredibly exploitive tear-jerking soldier reunions, "God Bless America", the list goes on. It started with the previous right-wing commissioner Bud Selig and has been shamefully expand by his successor Rob Manfred.
If the fans kneel during the anthem ,(or hold a protest sign) that would send a message that it is patriotic to use free speech to protest injustice. One doesn't have to be black to be upset over the well documented abuse that the players are protesting. We cannot allow all decisions to be made by ultra rich NFL owners and they President. Collectively we can have a larger voice.
23
The United States, indeed the world, has a Trump problem but it is correctable. By voting his Republican enablers out of office in November, we can begin to put an end to this nightmare.
20
Like the American public (or at least a good percentage of them), the NFL got conned by trump. With his history (including his failed USFL ownership that cost him lots of money), it is no surprise.
13
To respond to Trump you have to over trump him. He makes the issue about the flag, so use the flag to remind people that the flag stands for Liberty and Justice for all. Players stand and hold little flags over their hearts to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
8
I never understood why the National anthem is played before sporting events.
Especially since renditions lately by pop stars have made it sound like a jazz or rhythm and blues song, so stylized as to make it difficult, at least for me, to listen to it.
And then there was Roseanne Bart’s distinct interpretation.,,
Come on! It’s a football/baseball/hockey game! The only sporting event where it should be played is at the Olympics.
44
Sports on television is classified as "unscripted entertainment," however it's entertainment you can bet money on, the connection with patriotism and love of country is a marketing strategy. It's time we got over it, just enjoy your beer and worry about the point spread.
18
What is wrong with the NFL.?When Mr.Trump finds an issue which resonates with his base he will beat the drum for that issue forever.Do you remember the canard thatMr.Obama was born in Kenya,that Mexicans are flooding over our borders, that there needs to be a thousand mile wall,and that elections are rigged and that there is a witch hunt going on.The league would have been wise to heed Mr.Lurie's advice.Mr.Trump would never give up this issue because it plays so well at his rallies.Mr.Trump talks about "fake news" but he certainly exhibits "fake patriotism".A real patriot would not have had draft deferments.
85
The president’s channel fox showed eagles players praying and called it kneeling. I’m sick of it he owners response and will not watch football this season.
25
It is only a matter of time before the Bellamy Salute is reinstated. What is the Bellamy Salute you may ask? It was the salute that persons ( schoolchildren ) reciting the Pledge of Allegiance ( pre -“ under God” ) performed. The hand did not go over one’s heart. Instead, it was outstretched. And the person’s right arm was out stretched as well. A little above eye level pointing towards the flag. Groups of people did it.
This salute was banned in the early 1940s. It was too similar to a salute that was utilized across the ocean by The German government and its sympathizers.
19
Most of us are familiar with the German salute you’re referring to. Trump supporters did it after his election and again in Charlottesville as they wore swastikas, marched with Nazi and alt-right flags and murdered a woman.
2
The NFL acts concerned over brain injuries only because it makes the sport look bad and the billionaire owners shallow.
The NFL has decided to roll
Over to trump because it makes the owners look bad and shallow to trumps base
11
As a Giants fan, trump has pulled off the impossible: Me cheering for the Eagles
130
Steelers fan here. Diehard! I've toyed with the idea of putting an Eagles' sticker on my truck.
13
Same here for a New England Patriots fan.
5
49er fan here -- go Eagles!
5
When did football and patriotism become bosom buddies? Was it when the government paid the NFL to do flyovers during anthems to promote the military?
Rather a repulsive use of American tax dollars if I may say.
60
The owners looking out for their bottom line. How much revenue lost if we keep status quo? How much lost if we enact a new rule?
Like our congress, owners show no spine.
38
The Creamsicle Clown should keep his ignorant opinions to himself.
53
Interesting that people who profess to be so upset about the players disrespecting the flag don't seem to give a fig about the much larger and more impactful disrespect shown to THE COUNTRY ITSELF on a daily basis by Trump and his stooges.
Please, do us all a favor and stop trying to wrap yourself in the cloak of patriotism: it doesn't fit you at all and by acceding to the travesty that is trumpism you have forfeited the right to claim that you care about the U.S.
192
Pretty sad isn't it. Big tough NFL owners cower to a bully draft dodger.
169
When in the course of human events....
23
During the Vietnam War when the national anthem was played at Shea Stadium, we sat in protest of that war. Nobody said anything about it. Everything is such a big deal nowadays. We need more protesting now. Perhaps a civil war between people with ethical and moral standards and those without.
79
The right has become the party of selective victimhood & faux outrage. Shallow & insincere patriotism is the tool of the huckster, cons. Please stop.
3
I won’t be watching NFL games. My personal boycott.
31
I may consider an NFL upgrade package, given the owners gain some spine.
4
I have watched the NFL my life but I am not sure my love for the game can push through this absurdity. The lack of awareness of Goodell and the owners is mind boggling. They have made so many missteps in dealing with these issues, it has tainted the league more than any player kneeling ever could have. The only way to resolve this is to unite with the players and admit they ( the owners) were wrong.
6
We have two penalties on No. 45. Unnecessary roughness. That penalty is declined. We also have Unsportsmanlike Conduct - Taunting. That penalty is accepted and No. 45 is ejected. Time out.
132
Trump's pet Fox News perpetuated Trump's false narrative by showing pictures of Eagles players kneeling in prayer and misrepresenting that as kneeling for the National Anthem.
One would think that Trump would appreciate a demonstration of piety, but it doesn't fit into his view of the world according to Trump.
Never have I been so scared that we are sliding into a dictatorship as I was after reading Trump's statement last night - "They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country." What gives Trump the right to insist on a specific type of personal behavior?
292
He calls himself "their President" when it's obvious he's anything but. Sad, but this man's insanity and self-absorption continues to grow to alarming levels. With every statement and deed, I am reminded of Ursula in The Little Mermaid, rising and bloviating with the intoxicating growth of power.
28
answer (to be clear): nothing.
2
Trump is so concerned about the military that he faked bone spurs to avoid the draft.
He's a hypocrite and definitely shows the truth of Sam Johnson's pithy observation:
“Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.”
4
This NFLPA statement is atrocious. So the players are unable to participate in community service events?! Get in a car and drive down to DC for the community service events. Why are the players choosing to make the kids the ultimate harmed party?
Oh wait, they are making these kids pay for the President's decision so the players can get a cheap shot in on the President. For shame.
14
NFL players already participate in many community service events. Many players have foundations that focus on helping youth in the communities where they live or play. Many are very generous with their time and money this way.
The kneeling was supposed to draw attention to mistreatment of African Americans in the criminal justice system. They are two different things.
169
Please, Stefan, do some reading on the issue before responding. This is a request, not a demand, that you modify your behavior. The owners, cowering at the feet of Trump, made a demand that the players modify their behavior...not a request.
36
While that is the case, Kari, what does being disinvited by the White House have to do with not delivering on one's arrangement with those organizations to do some community service? One dunce shouldn't stop the show. Assuming the community service events were planned in advance (most are) both the npos and the team have lost out.
Yeah, well, the NFL can get in line with the rest of us.
9
I was at an NFL game last year and noticed many camera operators and photographers kneeling during the anthem playing, taking videos or photos. So players aren’t the only ones who might kneel during a game!
Also for all those who say players should be fired because they are protesting during work hours, isn’t that up to their bosses, the owners to decide this, not anybody else? Every workplace has different standards of what is acceptable behavior.
24
There isn't a single NFL contract for any player that requires them to stand for the anthem.
28
Plus, many fans are in the bathrooms, in concession lines, hooting, talking, on their phones, and so on.
Kneeling shows far more respects for the nation's ideals than any of those actions — or, slavish standing through tradition and peer pressure.
What exactly do people thing the flag represents, anyway, if not principles of freedom, liberty, and justice?! Which kneeling both exemplifies and honors.
5
@Kari Kozdin: yes, we are watching governmental intrusion into the personnel policies of private corporations. The government needs to butt out.
Is anyone else noticing the absolute disregard for the players'
First Amendment rights in this situation? Why so little appreciation for the message they are delivering about injustice and racism?
The president, of course, is just playing off his base, trying to lock in his 40% for the midterms and the next presidential race.
When is someone going to tell this ignorant man he's out of line, stand up to him. The country finally faced up to McCarthy in the 50's. Time to defend the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in the '10's. Just say, "No, you can't, Don!".
70
Sorry but the Constitution doesn’t apply. It’s private employer. The Constitution and Bill of Rights are restraints on government. Missed it by that much.
17
Actually, there's been a fair amount written on both sides off that argument. I happen to believe that given the foundations of working as a player in the NFL, the players are protected by the Constitution, the Civil Rights Act of '64, and National Labor relations Act. Have a read of this editorial for the alternative arguments...https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/17/opinion/law-nfl-protests.html
7
I am a teacher in a public school in NY. Students don’t have to stand for the pledge, although they all do. Why should these adults be any different?
9
Sorry Roger, but I'm done with the NFL.
The owners and management of the league, manly men all I'm sure, haven't the guts to stand up to a schoolyard-bully president. They make billions from these players (yeah, I know, players earn good money, if only for a few years). Maybe the owners could try to respect their opinions.
The players are reminding us that everything is not OK and in the least disruptive way.
Besides, why play the national anthem at all? What is the point of a coerced patriotic demonstration? Are we all going to have to wear MAGA hats, like it or not?
342
I agree - why play the national anthem before a football game? (or any sporting event).
2
In short, more than enough hard evidence of BPD, NPD w/PT. MDs need to step-up and state the too obvious.
6
I plan to support the players (the people I go to the stadium to see and whose work I enjoy) and oppose Trump and the spineless owners by sitting during the national anthem. I invite NFL fans in every stadium to join with me. Go Texans. Go Away Trump.
81
I appreciate your sentiment and recommended your comment. However, I feel it should be pointed out that if you’re in the stands at an NFL game, standing or sitting, you’re still lining the owners’ pockets. Maybe not the best way to protest the NFL.
7
For the most part NFL owners are not all that different from Trump. At a time in history such indifference didn't matter...
14
Mr. Belson,
Everything but the real issue.Respect the flag or else. President Trump didn't cause the problem, gransdtanding millionaire players did.
2
Bill of Rights , I’m a veteran and I took an oath to protect their right to protest , Constitution 101, read it , you may learn something.
111
"Respect the flag or else."
No. The flag stands for all of the United States of America, both the good *and* the bad. The necessity of drawing attention to the bad strongly outweighs the benefits of performing the rituals of alleged patriotism.
41
How about American respecting AfricaN Americans, especially law enforcement?
39
NFL players: How's this for a compromise?
Stand on the sidelines for the anthem, then rip up pictures of Trump. No disrespect to the anthem, the flag, or any serviceman. Just a man who has shown great disrespect to you.
If Trump freaks out, then we'll know this is all about him... not the anthem, the flag, the military, or "patriotism."
262
Great suggestion, but taking a knee is not about Trump. It's about the mistreatment of black people.
34
Yes, I'm fully aware of it, but Trump has made it about Trump. If played correctly, exposing Trump's motivations would take him out of the equation and allow the real conversation to start up again, instead of Trump's politically hijacked version of it.
1
That is a GREAT idea. Excellent.
1
The NFL can't win in this situation. On one hand, you have folks who want to boycott the NFL because players kneel during the national anthem -- on the other hand, you have folks who want to boycott because the NFL doesn't want to allow players to kneel during the national anthem.
They put themselves in this situation and I'm not really sure how they will get out of it. Can't say I feel sorry for them. The NFL takes its time dealing with head injuries or players with domestic violence or other criminal charges... but they were very quick to rush to a conclusion about players kneeling because it effected the bottom line: cash.
66
The NFL should have rejected that kneeling is treasonous or anti military and reframed the conversation.
25
If I were head of the NFLPA, and was being forced to stand at attention during the Star Spangled Banner, per new rule imposed by spineless owners, reacting to a POTUS' faux hissy-fit, I say "lets stage. a walkout."
Maybe it's time the players fought back
97
It's time for the fans to fight back with them. Turn off the televisions, empty the stands, call the sponsors. NFL is pure Trump Country now.
46
I would love to see that -- but I think the bottom line is no one wants to lose money. Not even the players.
5
I don't think that the NFL is pure Trump country at all. Fans should continue watching the game and ignoring the ranting braggart in D.C.
1
The only persons coming out of this mess are the players who don't agree with the president in all matters, especially on matters of race.
As far as the fans and the president, they are peas out of the same pod. A pox on them both. And besides, the USA will survive quite well NFL or no NFL, let's hope it is the latter.
12
My husband was a life-long football fan. No more. He doesn't want anything to do with Trump country. He's done with them. Teams are adequately covered by newspapers. There's no need to feed their media networks. Maybe the NFL owners will be inspired to spend more energy on protecting players from brain injury and less on feeding red meat to the bigoted base.
77
I trust that means you're prepared to cut the cord or deactivate the dish. Because whether you watch or not, you pay a monthly head tax (excuse me, "license fee") for every channel that's in your lineup. The ESPNs alone account for $5-$6.
It is not enough not to watch. You must also not pay. Try the antenna. It's good!
3
Possible solution—don’t play the anthem before games next season. After Trump’s comments, to stand for the anthem at NFL games will mean you are supporting a wannabe dictator.
313
We might even ask what the anthem has to do with football in the first place. It’s not the World Cup. We’re all Americans. Can we just play sports, or does every last thing have to be about goose-stepping behind the state?
51
We have a president who speaks his mind... often time not politically correct. Who doesn't care what the left thinks of him. The players did something disrespectful and should not be tolerated in the work place.
A class act would have been for The players union or some ad hoc committee go before the owners to negotiate a certain amount of money or time to promote social justice. Any employee of mine would be fired for cause if they acted like the players who knelt during company time.
4
So, Robert Haar, you start your work days by playing the anthem? Make your employees stand at attention? Hands on hearts? Seems really inefficient. I wouldn't work for you.
63
"We have a president who speaks his mind..."
No, we have a president who suggest people who disagree with him should be forced out of the country. That's not "not politically correct", that's dictatorial behavior. Both the left and the right should be against that.
106
Mr. Haar, what does a President "who speaks his mind" have to do with restricting the players' First Amendment rights? I wonder if your tune would change if the players wanted to bring guns onto the field during the Anthem.
14
In my outsider's view, this has nothing to do with the leader making anything great it's belittle the title instead.
16
Trump avoided military service because of bone spurs (a common radiologic finding seemingly not an impediment to his walking or his golf game), yet accuses the players of disrespecting the military. (They are actually protesting discriminatory practices in the criminal justice system). I continue to be amazed that his supporters--many of whom have had family members killed or been maimed serving their country--somehow remain unresponsive to this breathtaking, flag-wrapping hypocrisy.
402
Why are these men being encouraged to protest during their working hours? Everyone I know would be fired for any kind of protest held during working hours.
This is the root of the problem for me.
Protest on your own time and we wouldn't have to hear another word about this.
7
Then don't play the national anthem at their work. I am pretty sure it's not played at yours.
I am also sure the president would come after the NFL if their players protested on their own time (see the dis-invitation to the white house)
120
Agree, and as a matter of fact, the Supreme Court ruled similarly during WWII that citizens could not be forced to salute during the Pledge of Allegiance so as to distinguish ourselves from our adversaries in that war.
15
But they probably wouldn’t be fired for doing something as quiet and unobtrusive as kneeling. As well, wearing an American flag pin at work, while not a protest, is indeed political.
12
President Trump didn't create the division involving the NFL, he responded to it as a shrewd politician. He sensed there was a good section of the American public that didn't appreciate the flag protests and he decided to use it for his political advantage.
The only reason the owners bowed to pressure was due to falling TV ratings. That has nothing to do with Trump. People didn't tune out the NFL because Trump said so, they started doing it weeks before Trump ever said anything about the NFL.
The owners are using Trump as a scapegoat. They don't want to appear anti-player, so they are throwing their hands up and saying "what can we do, this Trump guy is forcing our hand" when in reality they can easily tell Trump to pound sand. The problem is that if they do that, their TV ratings will continue to fall and they will lose out on a lot of money.
Again, it's about the dollars. Always about the dollars. Nothing to do with Trump.
14
Trump would be crushed. Don’t you realize that everything is ALWAYS about him??!
13
So you are saying the ends justifies the means??
2
What seems to be missing here is any consideration of those fans who will or have turned away in disgust over this ongoing saga catering to The Donald and fans who don't understand what true patriotism is. Those are the fans the owners should be most concerned about.
39
Here's an idea: Stand, respect the flag, pay homage to the people who give their lives to keep you safe, play the game, then say whatever you want when it's over.
If that's too much to ask, I will exercise my right to turn the channel -- as millions are already doing. Abuse your platform and you will lose your platform.
7
Have you stopped to consider why players choose to take a knee? It must certainly be important to them to make that choice. Maybe you should listen to what they are trying to say.
198
Can I ask why then concession stands aren't closed during the anthem? Aren't those also workers who should also be required to 'respect the flag' and 'pay homage' as they are also on the clock?
I have also chosen to stop watching NFL games - but for the opposite reason. A league that blacklists a player who has time and time again said that these protests have nothing to do with the military, a president that is becoming a dictator in front of our eyes, and a sport that has caused life-long injury with no end in sight for those players who didn't know or weren't told what possibly outcome was waiting for them the other side of retirement.
111
Plenty of fans don't stand or stop what they are doing (like buying beer) during the anthem. Why are they exempt in your view?
Also, the military spent your tax dollars to pay the NFL for all that "homage". Just don't mix a sporting event with such faux displays of patriotism, and this would not happen
150
The owners weren't really baited by Trump -- they support him. When the players knelt in protest, the owners were clueless as to what to do. Trump gave them an out.
A retort to the commenter a-faulk who nominated Trump for NFL commissioner -- he already destroyed the USFL when he owned the NJ Generals, so making him NFL commish would be a great way to send the league to the scrap-heap.
The owners should think about selling their franchises now. The NFL will be a flag-football league in 15 years.
8
I'm not sure if you read a-faulk's comment completely but it was pretty obvious he was being sarcastic. I personally agree with him and wish politics would stay out of sports.
8
I believe a-faulk's comment was satirical in saying Trump should be NFL commissioner. After reading his comment I think he just means that they should just leave politics out of a football and I personally agree with him.
7
The league accepted Trump's framing of the debate. When you do that, you lose. Of course, the league has been using patriotism and support for the military as a marketing gimmick for decades, so they made their bed long before Trump.
87
Can we let football be football and politics be politics? I miss Football being about Football, the NFL should just let the president be the NFL commissioner.
4
It may already be too late for the NFL, which somehow managed to crash a multi-billion dollar entertainment complex on the rocks of greed, stupidity, and cowardice. The “Trump fiasco” is only the latest and loudest embarrassment that includes decades of denial about CTE (along with incredibly lame platitudes), inconsistent (and illogical) discipline for domestic violence and other infractions from the league office, a commissioner who appears to combine sycophancy, disingenuousness, and genuine stupidity, a declining and overhyped product (Thursday Night Football? Endless debates about “what is a catch?” Seriously?), and a declining base of support. The latter comment is less about fan backlashes in Trump country than it is about the millions of boys who are opting NOT to play football in youth leagues, middle schools, and high schools. Reengineered helmets and arbitrary rules tweaking may forestall the inevitable, but over the next few decades football is destined to follow boxing into niche sport purgatory.
65
Dream on. With legalized betting, there will be more attention, not less. although I do agree with your assessment of sycophant Roger Goodell.
Trump will do or say anything to make himself the central actor in any drama, real or imagined, and then, if necessary, contradict himself to remain in the spotlight. So let's remember that the taking of a knee started with a thoughtful decision by Colin Kaepernick, who wasn't disrespecting the flag, the anthem, the military or even the police; he took his knee in silent protest for the young unarmed black men who had been shot dead by policemen. People are still free to disagree with his action or his reasoning, but no one should be brainwashed into believing that his heartfelt demonstration was what Trump says it is, instead of listening to what Karpernick said it was all about.
202
I am much more concerned about what Trump is doing to undermine our values and the rule of law than I would ever be about any person's right to protest. Trump is trying to destroy freedom of expression against a government not protecting individual rights while the protesters are trying to revive our social conscience around racial issues. I "stand" with the players!
114
there is no LAW saying that standing for the anthem is a requirement. next season i do believe fans as well as players may start kneeling to the point TV doesn't want to televise this moment. we all need to remember this has nothing to do with patriotism or honoring fallen veterans. this is all noise for trump to create and think he is special. he has a comeuppance in his future.
138
The owners of NFL teams should be ashamed of themselves. While this fake president claims fake patriotism, we all know he avoided military service like the plague and serves only himself. Todays New Yorker cartoon said it all: Fake President. Fake Patriotism.
My father fought in WWII for the right of Americans to stand, sit or kneel for the National Anthem. No one will ever tell me I can not do so. It is our indivisible right.
Thank you to the Philadelphia Eagles for standing up to and against Tyranny.
43
I’m so tired of Republicans that believe their way of showing patriotism is the only correct way. They narrowly focus on waving the flag, attending parades, singing patriotic songs, unquestioning approval of military policies (by Democrats when Republicans are in power), swooning adoration of military personnel. And of course Obama could not dare to skip the flag lapel pin because that would mean he is anti American.
This is political correctness gone amuck.
Democrats need to change this narrative. Paying your taxes instead of hiding money overseas is a patriotic act. Risking your life for your country in the CIA is patriotic. Teaching schoolchildren is patriotic. Working in the health field is patriotic. Being a fireman or policeman is patriotic. And, yes, protest is a patriotic act, whether you agree with the protesters’ message or not. These are just some endeavors which support and ultimately promote our freedoms by keeping our people and therefore our country strong.
61
This is a great explanation of what is truly patriotic. Thank you. Nothing makes me madder than sanctimonious Fox News listening Trumpers insinuating that I and others are unpatriotic or un-Christian somehow because we are resisting this terrifying regime of grifters, liars, misogynists and racists. 2020 can’t come soon enough.
7
Bravo! You have just explained the core difference between conservatives (strict father figure model of behavior - rules are rules; survival of the fittest; too much education encourages rebellious independent thought) and progressives (nurturing parent model of behavior - acting with empathy; working for the good of society as well as one's self; becoming educated and thinking independently). These are the values progressives need to articulate more to combat the strangle hold conservatives have had on the language of political discourse for the last 40 years. Your comment nailed it.
4
To the small extent I care about the NFL, I am now an Eagles fan.
11
Surprised by the tone of this article. I think the President looks ridiculous, dis-inviting the players because so few of them wanted to go. The visual of standing with his hand on his heart, surrounded by Military Chorus - he looked small and alone. I am proud of the football players who are holding their ground, and of the compromise they worked out with the owners. And of the Eagle Players who decided that his direct attacks on their fellow players was untenable. This President counts on everyone else acting honorably, cunningly reserving only for himself the right to break norms. The Eagles called him out on his own behavior. So did the Mayor of Philadelphia. Way to go PHILLY! And come on midterms!
5