The need for players to repeatedly demonstrate in the face of so many Millions of people deeply offended and angered by their actions show how deeply ignorant and out of touch with mainstream America. The NFL should have Stopped the kneeling instantly last September but now the Commissioner and owners are scared to death of the black activist players.. Funny how if ac player of coach says officiating is terrible after a game, they're fined tens of thousands of dollars yet kneel to middle finger the President and this country's national anthem and the league basically pats them on the back
10
I skipped watching all the NFL games that i normally would watch on Thursday night, Sunday, Sunday Night and Monday night. I am disgusted that Roger Goodell is not enforcing NFL rules.I thought he was all about the rules? I am Disgusted at NFL players, Owners GM's,Media & everyone else that has bought into this.I understand the protest. I do not understand why they chose something that alot of people died for to disgrace.That is what it is. It is Openly Disgracing OUR Flag.The same flag that freed the slaves the same flag that people die for to reach the Land of the Free.This Country is at a crucial moment.Right Now.This ignorance towards the reason why you should not disgrace this Flag is going to spread. Anti Americanism within America could run rampant and then it will be too late. People everywhere are Armed. Don't you think this eventually could turn into a side taking type issue?People could use this as an excuse to organize home grown terror groups that could destroy this country. Terror groups that are already here could use this as an excuse to begin their Jihad within our borders.This country is a ticking time bomb that we can either ignite or we can all back down just a couple notches and talk. Lets talk. Lets quit letting Millionaires decide what is good and bad for us. Whether its Donald Trump or all of these Athletes. They are all millionaires. They dont speak for me and they shouldn't speak for you. I have lots more to say but they only allow 1500 characters.
6
Protest at the end of the game
1
Can someone explain the official meaning of the protest by taking a knee during the national anthem? And not only the meaning but the specific infractions that are being protested against and also what the official goal is regarding the change that these protest are supposed to bring about?
You see....I personally don't believe many of the players even know why they are kneeling. Did an NFL player get his civil rights obstructed? Maybe I'm wrong and have missed it but all I see are pundits giving opinions on what these protest are about without any hard facts. I mean, call me silly but if a company (or even an individual) decides to take a stand that will deeply offend the majority of it's customers then logic dictates that the "protesters" would clearly define the purpose of the protest, provide clear and precise data as to justify the protest and finally, state the objective of what the protest is trying to accomplish.
You see, the NFL has decided to protest a civic tradition that demonstrates the unity of our nation but leaves everyone arguing on what the intent is. This is a big deal to me because while most countries are defined by ethnic boundaries, we are not. This "tradition" shows that even though we are a nation with different ethnic, social and political backgrounds, we are Americans first and will come together. Again...that's why I am amazed that the NFL has taken this position without clearly defining its reasoning.
3
The best possible response would be a player strike by the black athletes, hopefully supported by the white team members as well. There is no doubt that these men have the financial means to make their point, and the financial and prime time TV impact would be more on par with the harm done to the black community by structural racism in America.
3
some signs of a backlash among many fans. ha ha ha
3
Dear Mr. Belson:
Thank you for an excellent article. You reported on the issue, provided facts and left political opinions out of your writing. I hope more writers follow your example.
I feel like I have a better understanding of the concerns all parties in this issue are what they are facing as they decide how to move forward.
Sincerely,
Chris F.
1
Interesting how they protest police brutality, especially after a tweet from Bennett. I'm not sure, but if I felt abused and or disrespected I would probably not shake the officer's hand when I left. I wonder if there's even a TINY chance that incident was overblown in social media? Is there ANY chance police officers are defending themselves? But you're right, protest away. Personally I believe in innocent until proven guilty.
2
Since when has the act of kneeling signified disrespect? These players did not burn the flag, tear it publicly, or stomp on it. They wished to bring attention to one of the greatest problems currently facing this nation. Why at the venues? For the same reason great corporations spend half a million on a 30-second Super Bowl spot--exposure.
Incidentally, has anyone wondered why fans begin to cheer loudly as the artist approaches the end of his rendition of the anthem at a major contest? I'd bet many were thinking, "Let's get this meaningless ceremony over with so we can see what we came for."
5
So the nfl gets and understands the FANS frustraion, right. Plot all you want you made your descion plain and simple as i will make mine every Sunday to go fishing .
3
Just some backslash. Ratings down 40% from 2015 is more
than just some backslash.
3
ratings have been going down for the last 10 years; more due to cutting of cable than anything else.
1
Meanwhile, Trump supporters are demanding that the IRS revisit the NFL's tax-exempt status which bars political activism. We'll see how strongly the owners, etc., stand on principle when faced with losing over one billion dollars a year.
The NFL has also been given multiple anti-trust exemptions, including one that allows the team to collective bargain with the networks. Several veterans in Congress are supposedly re-examining those waivers.
5
Keep your politics out of my entertainment. This league has turned into a social cause more than a sporting association. Fire Roger Goodell and go back to football.
You cannot win this.
8
Really. Do you really think the players can walk back kneeling for the national anthem then standing for God Save the Queen, which not only was a studied insult at their country but violated the principle that politics stops at the water's edge?
5
Careful path forward:
Try just doing football.
4
Here's an idea...how about the NFL take the $7 mil they donated to DT campaign & set up community outreach programs, scholarship programs & other incentives to help race relations & the underprivileged. This way they've 'heard' their players grievances and are actually doing something concrete to help. And it benefits the owners so they don't have to throw away good money on the next Presidential campaign to someone who turned on them. Protect your interests and your players interests and do some good at the same time...win win.
3
Interesting you see this issue as Trump turning on the NFL, I see it as the NFL, Owners of teams and players turning on Veterans who have sacrificed for the Constitution and Bill of Rights! Yes everyone has a right to protest ans the freedom of speech but not on the job, our POTUS is correct that the Owners and the NFL are afraid of the players and it should have been stopped immediately. It is listed as part of the NFL policy ( no I did not say rules) that all players must be on the sidelines with the helmet in their left hand and facing the Colors...... the only one dragging politics into this are people like you, this should have never been a issue the players should have been told they can protest their hearts out before and after games and practices, period
9
To little; to late. I will NOT be watching ANY NFL football this year, including the Super Bowl. They are spitting on every man and woman who is, or has ever, served this country...I don't care what excuse they might make.
13
I served in the Navy for 8 years during the Vietnam war and I support those who love America enough to dare to criticize its profound flaws and shortcomings. Even so, I agree with you on watching NFL games. They are nothing more than gladiator games, damaging the brains of nearly 100 percent of the players. Cheers!
5
November 11 & 12 the Vets will have their say.
5
There is no "forward" for the NFL and they can't apply "retreat" -- the damage is done, the NFL is toxic - never to recover.
5
I just find it hard to believe that any business or group of employees would go out of their way to offend/alienate over 50% of their customer base...
13
The time for careful reflection is over NFL. I hope your tumultuous collapse serves as a reminder to other sports and institutions that, yes, you have the right to follow you beliefs and free speech, but there's a time, a place, and a price. Goodbye.
12
You'll be back; what else would you do, watch curling?
3
Hey, NFL! Wrong venue location for protests.
As a paying customer, I don't want to hear about your personal problems on my dime and my time.
If I'm paying decent hard earned dollars to watch the game as my entertainment, leave out your protests and other garbage.
You're welcome to protest but not to me on my dime.
I want to be entertained.
10
I served in the Navy for 30 years. During that time I served with the very best men and women our country has to offer, of all colors, races, creeds. During my deployments to Iraq I witnessed incredible acts of heroism and selfless sacrifice. I also walked to next the flag draped coffins of fallen friends and wrote far too many letters to grieving husbands, wives, mothers and fathers.
I have visited our wounded warriors, young and old alike, as they struggle with life altering wounds suffered on our fields of battle. Their courage is truly inspiring.
Standing at attention facing our flag and saluting or holding a right hand over the heart at the playing of the national anthem honors their memories and those whose shoulders they stand on. Not doing so dishonors them and their sacrifices, in my mind there is no middle ground.
I know this country is not perfect and it never will be, but that should not be a reason to disrespect the very symbol of freedom purchased at such a high cost one none of us can repay.
NFL players are employees who sign a contract with rules. One of which is to stand at attention, with your helmet under your left arm and face the flag while the national anthem is playing.
Until the NFL admits and enforces their own rules, I for one will boycott the NFL, its merchandise, and all of its sponsors. I also think congress should take immediate action to terminate the anti-trust exemption currently in place for the NFL.
22
Your current president was a draft dodger, plain and simple. Be embarrassed and ashamed of that!
5
Scott in Albany, please stick to the topic. And before you say Trump's tweets are the topic, I would suggest most that are appalled by the protests, felt that way long before Trump stuck his nose in it. And for the record, I don't recall seeing any photos of your beloved Obama in uniform.
19
The problem with the NFL is the leftest who run it agree with they playes as they take in billions of tax free profits.
2
The president of the United States of America should cancel the NFL season for "NATIONAL SECURITY" reasons. That would end this fiasco and teach a lesson to the players. Players are there to play "Football" not "Politic". It is that simple. I proclaim the cancellation of NFL Football or else?
5
The problem with this "protest" is that it is a bit of a "show about nothing."
Meaning: what does it mean when a player takes a knee during the national anthem? It does't mean anything...unless you think it does.
3
P.S. And that's inarguable true whichever side of the "argument" (about nothing) that you're on. This is truly all for show, and...about nothing. It's a meaningless, empty gesture on the part of the parroting protesters. And it's only offensive if you choose to take offense...which is actually the only outcome hoped for by the so-called "protesters."
1
Can we declare a moratorium on any more inane suggestions that to solve the problem "just stop playing the anthem before games"?
As Carole King sang, "And it's too late, baby, now it's too late..." The anthem has been played before NFL games since the end of WWII. As farfetched as it may sound to the many of the commenters here, there are actually many Americans, and, more importantly to the NFL, many ticket-buying, memorabilia-purchasing, TV advertising-watching fans, who are genuinely offended by these player protests (can you believe it?). The NFL has been playing the anthem before games since the end of WWII. A capitulation at this point by the NFL and its team owners to this protest by summarily ending this tradition would not only tarnish their brand, but permanently foul their nest.
The NFL brass may be craven and hypocritical, but they love their money and they aren't going to put it at risk.
9
Terrible, terrible idea. Exactly what they left would love to see. If you want to alienate your core fan this is exactly the right move. They have been playing the national anthem before NFL games since I started attending them in the 1960's. I'm sure it was done well before then also. No.
2
trump attacked African-American players who knelt during the anthem to divert attention from his inadequate response to Hurricane Irma in Puerto Rico and his utter lack of legislative accomplishments.
The new trend of players kneeling together before the anthem and standing with arms locked during the anthem is akin to responding to Black Lives Matter's legitimate concerns by saying "all lives matter." To embrace the myth that every group is treated equally in America is to avoid the hard conversations needed to achieve social progress.
What should African-American players who agree with Colin Kaepernick's stance do during the anthem? Whatever they want. America is their country, too. The U.S. Constitution also applies to them, including such rights as freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.
Instances of police brutality and systemic racism motivated Kaepernick to act in 2016, and those concerns motivate his supporters now. To prevent those important issues from being whitewashed by people who don't want to feel uncomfortable, African-American players should reject fake unity. They should not lock arms with teammates and club owners who have never given serious thought to issues of social inequality.
Instead, each player who agrees with Kaepernick should stand during the anthem with his arms unlocked and a fist raised. Save the power of taking a knee for touchdowns. Players who score should take a knee in the end zone. That's how to take a stand that can't be ignored.
1
Ignored is exactly what they're getting.
See you, NFL. I'll watch the next game right after I get finished listening to my Dixie Chicks CDs.
6
Matters not what the NFL does...they lost me and mine. Never missed a Dallas Cowboy game until last Monday Night. Broke my heart to be betrayed by those I loved and admired.
15
What malarkey! You aren't embarrassed that the person making such a big deal about taking a knee was a draft dodger?
4
I have turned off all recordings of any NFL programming on my DVR. I will not be watching any more games. I am done with it. I am tired of the constant politicizing of everything in America. No more award shows. No more celebrity talk shows. I do not care about the sociopolitical opinions of celebrities, be they from sports or entertainment. I am exhausted from having it constantly shoved in my face. I am equally tired of all of the one-sided commentary from the MSM, but that is another topic entirely. So, enough is enough and good riddance.
19
First Kaps protest was against the flag and country if you look at his actual words.
And the players do not have the right once in the stadium and on the the field to their own opinions. ...the NFL is always fining or intervening when players are doing things on their own......the NFL didn't allow a remembrance of 9-11 or of Dallas players when all their officers were killed.....so why accept this disrespect of the flag?
15
Sports are a form of escapism from the cares of the day. A lot of people do not want someone else's personal politics pushed on them when what they want is to be entertained. Most of these players are millionaires who would not have achieved their wealth except for the opportunities they have in this country.Yet they are protesting this country. If millionaire players want to protest for "social justice" they should do that on their own time and not at their place of employment which in this case is the football field.
13
The league can stop playing the anthem when it stops taking government subsidies for stadium construction. Otherwise, players had better respect the flag.
9
Let's be honest. The NFL is desperately, desperately, trying to walk this back. Let's see if they hold to their principles. Or maybe they're just waiting for an apology from Trump. Good luck with that. He knows he has a political winner and they are playing right into his hands.
6
As long as their employers have no problem with it, the One Percenter NFL players are free to protest inequality (sans any solutions) to the rest of us who are trying to get by on a fraction of the income they earn playing a game. Likewise, I'm free to take a knee on the 2017 NFL season and spend Sundays watching archived college games from the day before on Roku instead. Everybody wins!
7
Trump's race baiting recipe: conflate protests against the unpunished killings of blacks by police with disrespect for the flag and military.
4
This had nothing to do with Trump. The fans have been tuning out since these protests started but nobody was paying attention the fans. Pundits and analysts were avoiding the elephant in the room. Ratings were sliding at an accelerated pace after the Kaepernick protests began, yet they wanted to attribute it to anything but (cord cutting, election, climate change, lunar eclipse,ect) because the truth made the NFL. ESPN, etc, uncomfortable.
The bad blood between the NFL and their fans was growing before Trump said a word. The fans don't want anyone's lousy politics being insinuated on them from the left or right. We like our sports politics free. If Trump did anything he may have saved the tin eared NFL from themselves because clearly they didn't notice they had a "fan problem" until it was somewhat rudely brought to their attention.
11
so, if folks want to keep "politics" out of sports, does that mean football fans at stadia throughout the nation will not be subjected to the ridiculous sight of first responders waving monstrous American flags over the entire surface of the field? Could they be shielded from the mandatory "Thank you for your service" ovation extended to some poor unfortunate member of the military? Or, is all of that somehow not "politics"?
2
Since when is it political to acknowledge someone's military service?
Bet you didn't serve, did you?
8
I carry a copy of the Constitution in my purse. It's small -- 3 x 5 ish.
I think I would stand, Constitution in hand, hand over heart, during the Anthem.
This action would be in rebuke of the president’s attempt to obscure the original intent of taking a knee by reframing it as stand/kneel, patriotic/unpatriotic, us/them.
Whatever people decide to do on and off the field, don't let the president hijack the heart of the matter.
4
NFL do yourself and the fans a favor and take politics out of the game. If players are so upset about social injustice and inequality then get together snd hire yourselves a PR or ad agency and create commercials to fight for your cause. Get back to
Playing football and let us enjoy the big bucks we're paying to cheer our team. Stand up and salute the flag just like all Americans do
8
If these protesters dislike this country, our flag, and the National Anthem so much and find this country to be so bad, I would invite them to use another of their freedoms and leave. Please go somewhere else more to your liking. Since the majority like to be hyphen American, then please go to the place you choose to give top priority such as to Africa since you seem to believe that is a much better place. As far as I'm concerned, with people such as these playing the sport, there is no reason for me to do anything that would support it.
8
Jim – you are choosing to misinterpret the actions of these athletes. They do NOT dislike this country, our flag, and the National Anthem. This is their home too, and they love this country as much as anyone else, but would like to bring attention to the systemic injustices suffered by people of color. They peacefully do so by respectfully kneeling during the anthem. They, and those of us who support their actions, wish to begin healing our racial divide – very opposite of our so-called leader, who fans flames of bigotry.
2
Those of you that support their actions had better watch a lot of football. The rest of us are done.
8
It feels to me like " patriotism" is swallowing up the original issue here. The idea is to make us all recognize racial injustice as evidenced by the killings of innocent people who are simply not WHITE. Sit,stand, kneel, are all acts of patriotism just forms we may all not agree on. The big idea is to fix racial injustice and not crow about patriotism.
4
Do it on your own dime, guys
7
As a general rule of thumb, you don't want to enter into a game of brinksmanship unless you are absolutely certain going in that you are going to win, especially if you have a lot to lose. Just saying. I keep seeing this error being made against Trump again and again and it's starting to be less amusing each time.
Do you really want him to be re-eleced? If so, keep doing what you are doing.
6
The players have the right to kneel, stand or do whatever they want. But they have already lost me. I will no longer be going to the stadium, watching games from home or buying any jerseys or other merchandise.
This started way before the players ever knelt for the anthem. They have destroyed the game by injecting politics where it doesn't belong. ESPN has been doing it for years now and the anthem is just the straw that broke the camel's back.
Thank you for ruining an enjoyable escape from the daily grind of life. I won't be back.
17
These "protests" are damaging to all Americans and especially African-Americans.
Essentially no employees in other occupations are permitted to confront their customer or the public with their political beliefs.
Public displays intended to highlight that African-Americans are separate and different, do just that.
When the goal should be to all Americans, these displays do the opposite.
11
If they want it to be just about football, get rid of the forced 'patriotism' - get rid of the flag and national anthem. End of controversy. Simple, huh? But no, the 'patriots' would them complain about that, because patriotism is like government give aways (tax breaks, subsidies) - once you inject it into something, taking it out is 'unpatriotic'.
Of course, there is another solution - pointed efforts and results at smoothing things between the black community and police, but that can't happen until the patriots acknowledge that there is a problem, and that is unlikely to happen as long as all they focus on is perceived disrespect.
3
So I see you don't like patriotism. Got it.
BTW. it has nothing to do with politics.
4
For decades the NFL has made patriotism a part of their brand. And for longer than that Americans have put political differences aside for three minutes to honor veterans and express love of country. The players act as if the rest of us must be 100% satisfied the the USA because we stand respectfully for the anthem. Wrong. Almost no one is 100% happy or satisfied with the nation. There will always be room for improvement. But we don't want to wait until the country is perfect to honor it. Plus, we will never agree on what perfect looks like. Their cause is no more important to them than the things I would change are to me. The NFL already has a rule against this and they were dumb not to enforce it in the beginning. It's not about Trump. It's not about whatever cause they are taking up. They can go be political on Monday morning. And the arrogance to think that I look to football players for political advice! The Packers asked fans to lock arms last night. From the video I saw about 90-95% of fans were saying 'nope'. The NFL needs to make this go away this Sunday.
11
The NFL business model is based on paying athletes to injure their brains and bodies for the entertainment of the masses. The Romans had gladiator fights to entertain the masses. It was more honest.
1
I wonder why kneeling is seen as disrespect. The last time kneeling was required for American residents was if any of them were given an audience with King George III. Kneeling was demanded then, standing at attention was disrespectful. Perhaps the players could recast this: they are kneeling to respect the constitution, rather than participate in a 'whitewash' by standing as the anthem is played while the constitutional provisions of equality before the law are themselves disrespected.
3
Richard, I've wondered about that too...kneeling can be a sign of respect and humility, especially in Christian churches. My bet is that most of the fans arriving at the football stadiums on a Sunday are Christians or raised Christian...Why not attend church and give praise to God instead of spending a few hundred dollars(which some of the fans claim they're not wealthy enough to have) on football watching men bash each other...again fan hypocrisy.
This is not a first amendment issue - it is a workplace rights issue. If you think they can disrespect the national anthem at work, do you agree that christian bakers can refuse to make cake for gay marriages?
7
This conflates two concepts, a legal right versus an employment policy.
If a state's elected officials agree to, by law, extends the same equal protection rights currently extended to people based on, among other immutable characteristics, race and gender to sexual orientation then, no, a Christian baker cannot refuse to make cake for gay marriages. In that situation, equal protection would say that it is no different than a racist baker not wanting to make a cake for a marriage between two individuals of a particular race.
That is different than whether the NFL has an employment policy governing whether NFL players have a right to express their political views on the sidelines during the anthem prior to a game. Now my employer, just like yours, may have employment policies that I have to be willing to follow in order to work there. And those policies may limit my ability to exercise my fist amendment rights while at work. But absent those polices, I would, arguably, be free to exercise my first amendment rights in the workplace unless it was so disruptive as to violate some other company policy that could expose me to disciplinary action.
As best I have been able to determine, the NFL requires teams to be on the sidelines, and that the failure to be on the sidelines MAY result in disciplinary action. But its does not require them to stand for the anthem. Even sec. 171 of the flag code says that you "should stand," for the anthem; NOT you will, shall, or must.
1
The answer seems simple: don't play the national anthem before games. If all sports fans care about is sports, then the anthem is just a waste of their time. Just start the game!
2
Please, NY Times. Get it right. These are not ANTHEM protests. No one is protesting the national anthem. These players are protesting racial injustice, perceived police brutality, and inequality; the national anthem is just a vehicle to do that. And good for them.
2
I, for one, hope that the government stops all funding and tax breaks for the NFL! This funding and tax breaks was not something that I was aware of and I'm sure that the money can be better utilized! Perhaps it could go towards paying down the National debt! The NFL is a multi-billion industry, there is no reason to add towards these 1 percenters! The NFL is disrespecting our flag and our country!! America 1st!!!!!
16
Self inflicted wounds by arrogant athletes. Sports is entertainment. They venture into politics at their own risk. I expect the circular firing squad will continue until the NFL is just another sport that used to be the most popular.
Comparing this "protest" to Muhammed Ali is ridiculous. Ali gave up millions and went to jail for his beliefs. These guys are giving up NOTHING.
11
Kaepernick's kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 was a protest against police killing black people & the nation continuing to turn its head: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."
Trump called Kaepernick and anyone joining him on kneeling "sons of -------." Dear Americans, ask yourselves, "What would sports even be in this country without Black Athletes and Athletes of Color?" Every athlete in every sport should be kneeling, including the let's turn our head fans. You don't just go to a game to watch the game: race is all over the field. When players dance for a TD, when players point to the sky, when players show you their fist. Dear Fans, how long will you play the ignorant card and refuse to see what's in front of you -- Race, Black Athletes, Athletes of Color. So, what you're saying with "boos" is that it's okay to kill us on the streets and then dismiss our color on the field #takeaknee
13
All these protests could be ended easily. Every time a team kneels on the field, the announcer tells everyone to join the team in a silent prayer for our country. That will spring them to their feet quicker than anything.
3
Ever since Trump launched his political career a couple of years ago, he has used "wedge" issues to stir up emotions. First of all, they tend to "fire-up" his base voters; second, and perhaps foremost, the issue deflects the public's attention away from other potentially damaging issues circulating in the media concerning Trump himself and his associates.
1
Those who suggest that players engaging in politics during work hours should be fired as in other jobs are missing a key point: in other jobs outside politics and the military, there is no forced patriotism - e.g., playing the national anthem and expecting 'respect' - and no public scrutiny of the workplace. Politics was injected by the forced show of 'patriotism'; the response of these players is quite passive.
Others say "they did this without telling us WHY!" - okay, but now you know. What are you going to do about it?
3
What bothers me most is the level of hypocrisy here. Sometime during the 2008-2009 season, the NFL made it mandatory for their teams to attend the playing of the on field National Anthem. As a nation, since we are all Americans with common bonds on multiple levels, we stand up and show respect during the National Anthem. It’s not an appropriate time to demonstrate concerns over the state of affairs in this country. More so, the NFL accepts millions of dollars from the armed services to conduct ceremonies and highlight the military during countless halftime shows. Lastly, I reviewed the highlights of the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars in London last weekend. Both NFL teams stood for God Save the Queen but not for the Star Spangled Banner. Yes, Britain the country who brought slavery to our country - go figure. I didn’t vote for Trump but I didn’t vote for Hillary either, since I rejected the tribal vs national interests that both candidates brought to the table. I am concerned about this continuing trend of pitting tribal loyalties against shared national identity.
5
For the sake of Trump 2020, please keep up the protests.
In fact, escalate them and keep it up for every quarter of every game for the entire season. Please turn the NFL into a 24/7 social justice platform.
You're making this way too easy.
9
national anthem takes about a minute
Politics and social justice have long been part of professional (and other) sports. As with the law, deliberate ignorance of history is no excuse. Playing the national anthem before games links the sports gathering to patriotism (whatever that means). The government pays the NFL to have military personnel on the pre-game field and for the players to be there as well. "Follow the money" is generally good advice. If the public doesn't know how big a factor race has been in the nation's sports history, then the press should continue to enlighten with facts. For many, there's a link between what they think of as "patriotism" and politics. The Burns-Novick Vietnam documentary now on PBS is relevant. President Trump's war-mongering comments re North Korea, his thoughtless, angry tweets and statements about the need for harder football hits to the head and wanting to punish those who make obvious the links between sports,
politics and social issues deliberately stir crowds to thoughtless anger.
The comments here to recommend ending playing of the national anthem seem common sense, but they don't go far enough. Removed the government and the military and the flag waving from the sports arena.
We could rewrite "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" to be sung before games.
Today America is once more a House Divided Against Itself. It's time for some leadership that will heal the nation.
Doug Giebel, Big Sandy, Montana
2
Why are domestic sports associated with the nationalism of our country's anthem? I have never understood what one has to do with the other. It makes sense that anthems would be played before international events, like the Olympics and the World Cup, because teams and individuals represent their countries. But why do we need to salute America every time the privately owned Bears of Chicago play the privately owned Vikings of Minnesota? It seems a ridiculous tradition that should be abandoned. If conservative NFL fans want the players to "do their job" and remove politics from the game, clearly we need to go to the root of the problem and remove
nationalism. I didn't come to the game, whether it's soccer, baseball or football, to consider the glories (and considerable sins) of my country. I came to watch high level athletes perform and compete.
As long as the players are asked to salute the flag as "part of the job," of course these intelligent humans will also want to point out the dark side of our nation's heritage, particularly at this tremulous moment. If we don't want to think about this stuff at sporting events, the only option is to let go of the pre-game blinkered and knee-jerk obeisance to military and country. Of course, the owners and the networks don't want that to happen, because the military pours millions into their coffers for these supposedly sincere patriotic displays. In turn, the young fan base of pro sports is the perfect recruiting pool for their wars.
16
These players and owners and the league still don't get it: DO IT SOMEWHERE ELSE! TRUMP DIDN'T SAY HE WAS AGAINST THE "PROTEST", HE SAID IT WAS DISRESPECTFUL TO DO IT WHILE THE ANTHEM WAS BEING PLAYED, PERIOD!
If this were truly about police brutality and racism, why aren't the players and owners taking this a step further and going on shows and meeting with the people being targeted by this "protest". I'll tell you why, because it's all show, and it's backfired on them. If this were truly a movement to bring about change, why hasn't one single team signed Kapaernick? Because they don't want the "distraction", even after he caved and said he would stand during the anthem. It's all a show. The NFL has rules specifically outlining players needing to stand during the anthem, so in reality, none of them have a "right" to kneel, the NFL forbids it and it was agreed upon by the owners and players. Trump is correct again: the league is afraid of their players.
16
NFL owners are understandably squeamish about telling employees to not insult many of their fans. But in part it's the owners' fault we have come to this.
People respond to INCENTIVES. The NFL player contracts often include such PERFORMANCE incentives.
But the contracts have ZERO incentives for the players to be DIRECTLY concerned about fan attendance to games, and the size of the TV audience. A sort of "profit sharing" clause for a significant portion of their player compensation would cause players to rethink their enthusiasm for insulting millions of Americans and politicizing the games.
Yes, fan support INDIRECTLY affects player compensation over the years, but the typical player contract puts the team on the hook for paying the players even if the stands are empty. Given the level of REAL education and brain-damaged intelligence of most contact sports players (cue the Lebron James "uneducated" diatribe), currently most players clearly are incapable of connecting the dots.
3
You wrote: “...accommodating fans who would prefer football to just be about football.”
C’mon NY Times, you know it’s more than that! The flag and the national anthem are sacred to many of us who regard the players' kneeling and refusal to stand as signs of grotesque ingratitude to this nation.
All of us ought to be grateful for blessings received, and which tens of millions around the world desire to share. Lack of gratitude is a societal pathology these days.
I will join any picket line protesting the bad apple cops who abuse or harm anyone of any race. But to disrespect our flag and our national anthem is disgusting. As a result, the NFL is not on my viewing schedule this year.
The issue is respect for America, not merely, as you claim, letting football be football.
15
Does anybody really know, including the players, what they are actually protesting against, and hope to accomplish by their actions? It's all silly, and tragic with THIS President, as busy as he is, being compelled to join in all this! Let the games begin! And then we have baseball, and that phony 7th inning stretch, when especially the Yankees, playing G-d Bless America, and asking everyone to stand! Give me a break! Play Ball!!!
5
Counter Measures – who 'compelled' DT to join the fray? Seems more like he's using this opportunity to turn up the volume on bigotry in this country.
maybe, at least temporarily until trump loses interest, they should roll the clocks back to pre-2009 and stay in the locker rooms until after the anthem
2
Question, what do you do at home, in your living room, when you are watching the game on TV and the network shows the random B-list star singing the National Anthem, or you can just hear the Anthem? Do you get up out of your recliner? Do you uncover, if you are wearing your lucky hat? Do you place your hand over your heart? Does it matter if you are alone? With family? With friends? Do you put down your beer? Do you put down your burger? Maybe, your carrot stick covered in Ranch dressing? Do you explain to your children, that according to the U. S. Flag Code "[d]uring rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart . . . [w]hen the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there" and that is why we stand, alone in the living room when the Anthem is played. Maybe you do, or maybe you say you do, because how can I know, I'm not in your living room with you. But most likely you don't, but I am pretty sure it is not because you are disrespecting veterans, or their sacrifice, or everything the flag means as a symbol of the USA. It is because you are an average American and to do that seems silly, right? But, I can guarantee no one thinks any less of YOU and we do not conflate your ambivalence with some broader, manufactured hatred of our country. Wonder why that is?
2
yes I do stand up! as a vet I always stand and you should to if you live here.
5
I agree with you 100%, but I think we are the exception and not the rule and I am pretty sure that many of those who are quick to throw stones and conflate issues in order to fire for effect, are not without sin.
1
Oh stop the silliness and search for attention and play the silly game already, yes, the ridiculous game that's going to debilitate you in the years to come.
You're not activists, scholars or politicians, you throw a football around for a living (a good one), you're idea of what's right or wrong is about as useful to society as asking a Mormon to explain electricity.
Some say cancel the anthem at games. I say cancel the game!
6
Before the game when the anthem is performed if you just look at the flag, put your hand over your heart and sing along you won't know what the players are doing. It's none of your business anyway what they or anyone else does during the anthem. Also I would add if you are a white person you have no idea what any of this is really about. I'm a white guy so I can't know what they feel but I support them because they are taking a stand for something they believe in which is justice for black people. They are not breaking the law and it's a peaceful protest. So just shut up and watch the game. Sheesh.
3
and I am taking a stand for something I believe in, The flag so what is your point? are you going to stick up for me? I'm white are going to stick up for me? NO your not so get over your self with this I'm a white guy and want to like I love everyone, But you don't
So you'd support players taking a stand against abortion? It's legal and peaceful...
1
Absolutely. I would be there to watch a football game to begin but I would absolutely agree with their right to protest.
Ah, bullied by the President, Social injustice to black men, ah....no one has a cohesive reason. They followed like sheep and so did the sponsors. To have no respect for the American Flag has damaged the NFL to the point that they have committed Economic suicide. Nothing firm....everyone scattered. Sheep to slaughter. Their fan Base has always been the All American.....they seem to have forgotten that WE buy the tickets, watch the games, buy the shirts that give these dudes so much money. That has Ceased. NFL you are finished. I wonder who really orchestrated your downfall. Anyway you look at it, you did this willingly. Shame on you. You are Gone from America. For me, Our beloved Denver Broncos have lost any respect they had in the State of Colorado. You are finished. If you don't believe this, watch the coming weeks, NFL may become a believer that they don't use the American Flag or Anthem as a protest....joe America will not tolerate this.
8
ok the players have protested. Now what? what is the next step in their mission for social justice.
a protest is a start, but fans will quickly tire of it.
what are the sports players, and entertainers in holly wood going to do to effect change?
3
There are a lot of patriotic football fans who do not really care what the political views of the players are. Those fans spend truck loads of money for the entertainment football offers. Assume only 25% of the fans agree with Trump and only a quarter of those decide to stay away. It doesn't hurt Trump if 94% of the fans continue to go. It does hurt the owners if 6% stay home and those who are already home turn off their TVs.
The owners might also remember that this isn't even a distraction for President Trump. It only takes him seconds to send out a tweet and at one of his rallys it revs up the crowd.
1
So, what exactly is the problem?
If fans "would prefer football to just be about football", why not remove the National Anthem from the program entirely?
Where is it written that a football game must begin with an inspirational anthem, anyway?
9
The NFL rulebook makes no mention of the national anthem. But the game operations manual does.
Here’s what the game operations manual says regarding the national anthem, according to an NFL spokesperson:
‘The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.
‘During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.’
2
Real simple. This is a private company. Tell your employees they will be fired if they don't comply with your company rules. End of problem. Happens every day across corporate America without fanfare, rioting or protesting.
12
NFL players are just "the help," then? Good to know.
And then when they start losing games because they fired starters or have no bench to go to, or lose endorsements, how will the fans and stakeholders feel about that? Some fans also support the 'take a knee' stance, or at least their right to do it.
2
So a corporate company has the right to change me from jewish to christian? To say a prayer instead of wear a yamaka? A corporate entity can force you to be a nationalist? Or salute foreign lands?
As stated in another post, the issue here is that you shouldn't have to make that choice. I don't know a corporation that forces it's employees to salute the American flag before work. So why are they forced to do it on the field?
1
Why is it necessary to play the anthem at a sports game anyway and how many of those claiming disparagement of the flag and our military are either in the kitchen or at a food vendor in the stadium? How many of those outraged are standing at attention in front of their TV's at home? Give me a break from this pious outrage.
7
If the owners put their donations and relationships with trump over the life and blood of their business - the players - then what does that say about their stance regarding racism, bullying, and police brutality?
5
I am always amazed at what occupies this country's attention.
3
Let them kneel! To boo the First Amendment is to boo America. Those fans should be ashamed.
8
Simplest resolution: stop playing the National Anthem at sports events, unless it is an international event.
It seems odd to tie patriotism to inter team rivalries and beer - why do we?
7
I agree with Skye. We should be asking, why are we playing the national anthem at football games, not if players should, sit, stand, or kneel?
2
Any opportunity to raise awareness of the racial injustice that pervades the USA must be used. Change must come faster.
Ken Belson mentions "accommodating fans who would prefer football to just be about football.". If it's true that's what fans want, then why play the anthem? It's not played for concerts or theater? Why not just let sports be about sports?
4
Steven A. Smith (ESPN) made a very good point this morning about this. He said these protests are no longer about Colin Kaepernick and his "message" but now they are about Donald Trump. He also said that these players should have demonstrated and spoken out last year when Kaepernick began the protest.
.
1
They are at minimum supporting Kaepernick's right, and that of others, but many also support the sentiment.
1
George Will, clearly the last Republian Mohican, asked an interesting question about Trump/Republican deficit proposal and its so called aim of creating jobs.
HOW DO YOU INCREASE JOBS IN A FULLY EMPLOYED ECONOMY?
Actually they do not count the people that have stopped looking for work, therefore the unemployment numbers put out by the government are bogus. Unemployment is still over 8% IMHO. WE DO NOT HAVE A FULLY EMPLOYED ECONOMY.
2
The economy has to accomodate the always increasing working age population as well as the destruction of jobs (churning). It does not have to create as many jobs for this as during a recovery, though. Trump's plan will mostly not add to that, though - mainly, it will increase deficits and increase inequality.
I carry a copy of the Constitution in my purse. It's small -- 3 x 5 ish.
I think I would stand, Constitution in hand, hand over heart, during the Anthem.
Shifting the focus back to the inherent tension between the founding principle of America -- we the people are created equal -- and the uncomfortable reality of inequality and social injustice, especially in minority communities.
This president is very good at pitting people against one another, reducing issues to stand/kneel, patriotic/unpatriotic, us/them.
Within this narrow construct, there is no acknowledgement that people are hurting. No talk of solutions. No focus on what players may be doing in their own communities.
This fueling of a divided America benefits the powerful and ideological few not the many.
Whatever players, owners and teams may decide, don't let the president hijack the heart of the matter.
3
Real American patriotism encompasses supporting your country by supporting humane public policy, paying one's fair share of your taxes, supporting free and fair elections and true freedom of expression.
The national anthem and the flag are minor colorful ingredients to actual American patriotism.
The most American thing to do is let Americans do whatever they want and then play ball.
The national anthem and the flag have no bearing on sporting events; they have devolved into quasi-militaristic exercises that mimic the country's idiotic claims of being "#1".
Let freedom of expression reign.
Pay your taxes.
Support humane public policy, like less police brutality. more healthcare for your fellow citizens and a fair tax code.
Trump does next to none of those things, and in doing so reveals his profound lack of patriotism and deep hypocrisy and total lack of character.
We should stop confusing sports with patriotism, except to the extent that our Buffoon-In-Chief impales himself on yet another innocent victim of his personal divisiveness and personality disorder.
18
Get rid of playing the National Anthem already.
8
The simple answer is, that it is possible to respect this country and our military yet still have objections about certain things that are taking place in this country. The two are not mutually exclusive!
If you love and respect our country and our military, does that mean you have to love 100% of every last thing that goes on in this country? It is absurd to think that. It is also absurd to object to a simple, peaceful act of drawing attention to certain issues by utilizing the platform that these professional athletes have. Kneeling during the anthem isn't a sign of disrespect to the military! Or our country!
Furthermore, the objections to kneeling are almost 100% racist. The remainder claim that these athletes are wealthy and have it good, so they have no right to complain; which is also absurd (oftentimes they are drawing attention to these issues on behalf of others, not themselves).
As for Trump inserting himself into the issue? He's proven that he's just simpleton who has no depth of understanding on this or any other issue.
21
Trump has galvanized his base and gotten it back onside after a frustrating summer. This on a social issue that he can handle purely with Twitter. And on an matter on which he commands majority support.
I think we are finding that Trump is the master politician of these times.
I don't support Trump and I don't watch football. But it seems pretty obvious that "social causes" should be dealt with on your own time, not while you're on the clock. I'd be curious to hear what these players are doing OFF the field to better their communities.
3
I'd be curious as to what in life does not really constitute "your own time"?
Then why should there be a national anthem at a sporting event at all?
Patriotism should be on people's private time and they way they want to express it. The workplace is not the place to force people to show (often false) patriotism.
These players are at work, but how many U.S. workers stand before the flag, with hands over their heart and sing the national anthem? Almost none. So, why should the players do it? Most US citizens today have made no individual sacrifice at all in regards to military service. And this includes the Narcissist in Chief, Donald Trump. I served my country in the U.S. Army and I stand by the constitution and the right of free speech. The players are workers and are being held to a higher standard than the majority of the population. Next time you hypocritical football fans go to work, stand and place your hand over your heart and say the national anthem.
There is a very easy answer--end playing the national anthem, God Bless America, proud to be an american (as well as all other forced patriotism primarily through ties to the military) at professional sporting events, which are simply for profit enterprises. Then professional sports will be solely about professional sports (and the almighty dollar).
3
There are two issues here:
1). The owners and the NFL are truly afraid of the players. Imagine the public relations disaster of a one week "brown" out. It would severely damage the league and also hurt the integrity of the schedule. I'm sure the owners wish Trump just kept his mouth shut, this would have faded away by the end of the season, or the NFL could have just asked their broadcast partners not to discuss it or show it on TV. Again, another major failing by Roger Goodell.
2). What employee is permitted to stand up on any social matter in any industry? All people should be free to speak about social injustice on their own free time, but not while acting on behalf of their employer/on the field. This would not and should not be permitted by any national employer while representing that organization.
5
You and many others are missing the point: the 'protest' was initially passive, not standing; the implicit suggestion is that they should be FORCED to stand and put hand over heart. Would you condone employees of a company being forced to stand for the national anthem played at work or be required to recite the pledge of allegiance?
1
Can't help but think that too many NFL fans look at the players like Romans looked a gladiators or, worse, Christians and Lions. I fully support the players in their protests and will be watching on Sunday.
3
Good grief. Now sports has become politicized, as the Oscars and Emmys were before it. TV news is already politically biased, one way or the other, as is ESPN. I've stopped watching NFL football, the Oscars or the Emmys. I now spend my money and time going to the theater and college football.
The is all getting ridiculous.
6
Dear Chris: Maybe you should consider how bad things have gotten that players feel the need to say something at a GAME for heaven's sake.
Or take a look at the parallels between what is happening now, and the Vietnam war/civil rights protests. Watch Ken Burn's just-completed series on the Vietnam war. Police killings, oil pipelines that threaten our water supplies, mass incarceration, wars without end. An unfit person elected to the Presidency. His cabinet and administration officials acting like royalty entitled to use taxpayer money to order up private/military air transport to see their kids for lunch or to take their honeymoons. THESE are what is all getting ridiculous. In fact, these things are destroying our country and our environment and our social order.
1
Watch or don't watch. NFL doesn't care, as long as you keep paying. Show some real backbone and cut your pay-TV service.
Oh, wait - that means no more Fox Newstalk? Or "Fixer Upper"? Uh, never mind. Guess someone else will have to punish the NFL.
2
So – you’re going to slap us in the face, then give us a hug and say you Love us. I guess that works OK in the mind of an NFL player.
1
And I have to watch football because?
3
Because if you've got cable or satellite TV, you're already paying for it every single month. Either directly (NFL Network) or indirectly ("Monday Night Football" on ESPN, made possible by a generous grant from Viewers Like You.
Thank you.)
2
If the players are trying to raise awareness of social problems, they have failed. Right now, it's a battle over the flag. So instead of standing, kneeling, why don't they sit down with elected pols and try to do something. It's easy to talk the talk but it's much harder to walk the walk.
11
You've got to be kidding. Our "elected" politicians could care less about the American people, much less the treatment of a black minority - all you have to do is listen and watch. The GOP doesn't even come close to honesty, and you think a few private conversations will make this whole thing go away? Too many people just want this whole uncomfortable conversation to stop so they don't have to think about it, or take any responsibility for making things change.
2
In 2009, these same owners decided to use players as political props to get good public relations. Making players line up during the anthem was supposed to give fans a warm and fuzzy feeling about the NFL and its allegiance to the American flag, even if, as we know, the country was deeply divided over foreign military entanglements. So maybe it's time to admit that this kind of forced and conformist national display has its limits in a country that is as polarized as ours now is. Let the anthem play the way it used to, mostly without fanfare and certainly without military fly overs and huge football field sized flags.
3
With the NFL now embracing the protests. It is actually diluting them. Now all the players lock arms to show "unity." Unity for what? It just becomes another rah rah rah USA, USA, USA thing as it did last night. Colin Kaepernick did not intend his protest to be like that. On another note did anyone else note that the NFL did the same thing to Kaepernick as they did to the Doctor (Bennet Omalu) that first discovered the NFL's CTE Problem? They ran him out of business, then did what they new they had to do and embraced the issue.
I was ready to significantly cut back on my NFL watching for the first time in 40 years this season. But now with Trump calling for a ban I'm back on board for now.
1
Does anyone think that more people who support the protests will start watching football? Or even if they did that the numbers will come close to the number are going too stop watching over this issue? And that will start affecting the bottom line. And since football is a multibillionaire dollar industry the owners will need to decide whether to ban politics from their games or pay the price. And to be clear standing for the national anthem isn't political.
1
standing for the national anthem IS political.
It is forced patriotism.
Americans have the right to NOT stand up for an anthem and therefore it should not be forced in ANY workplace to do so.
2
Dear NFL players,
I support your right to protest racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem. Why not show team unity by linking arms in a line with some players kneeling and others standing to show respect for each other's viewpoints. Maybe this would send a message to a divisive president who has no understanding of what it means to truly work together as a team or as a country.
3
The owners should grab the mike before the National Anthem is played and make this message abundantly clear: the players who kneel to protest a huge problem with police brutality vs blacks is a profoundly American and profoundly decent way to highlight a huge national problem.
I have a family member killed in war. He'd be kneeling right alongside the players. This isn't about being un American. This isn't about being un Patriotic.
When you hear that, it is Donald Trump the racist, ignoring the Blacks legit message AND casting aspersions on them for being anti-American. And Donald Trump is simply lying again.
Stand up for your players, NFL owners: they have a legit grievance and are showing/talking on tv about it, in a far more decent way than #45.
5
It's not an "anthem protest."
It's a protest against state violence against a minority.
46
Well articulated, Nicholas.
2
And, apparently, one ignorant of the real, underlying issues with respect to violence against blacks.
Ref: http://nypost.com/2017/09/26/all-that-kneeling-ignores-the-real-cause-of...
Then why do it during the our National Anthem? Do it at the end of the game
Vote with your feet fans, you are the reason the league exists.
4
Right message, wrong platform; inflamed by an ignorant president who continues to beget the exact opposite of what he strives for....
Just as you cannot force someone to love you, you cannot force someone to respect you.
In the US, everyone has a right to peacefully protest. There is nothing harmful about black athletes kneeling during the anthem in order to spotlight systemic racism and police brutality.
People who think these players are disrespectful do not seem to understand the very concept of this nation. The players are American, they respect the country, and the freedom that comes with being a citizen, but would like to see us heal. In this they are far more respectful than DT.
2
How is what the NFL players are doing different from the barista at your favorite Starbucks saying "Jesus save the world" as he hands you your pumpkin latte? Both are going to offend a fair number of customers, and both, I imagine, are about equally protected by the Constitution. The customers will go elsewhere, just like what former NFL fans are, and a fair number may demand that the barista be fired. President Trump is just doing the same for the NFL players.
1
Here, There – the players are silently, respectfully, kneeling during the anthem, not saying anything to any individual. Big difference.
The customers read into it what they will.
"Here": the players are not foisting a religion on anyone. They are protesting the treatment of a minority group whose ancestors were brought here against their will and made into slaves.
2
No matter what you think about protests during the national anthem or about the flag you have to admit, that when all else has failed to raise attention, this has worked. I say continue the protests until America realizes it has a problem about being American and does something about it.
14
So let's make it about football only - no more anthem, giant flags, military or veterans or first responders, military jets fly over, etc. Never understood why the NFL has to be seen as a symbol of patriotism (Real Americans watch professional football? I thought Real Americans watch NASCAR, where one can see one of the drivers die on occasion or at least a horrific accident that they barely survive). Just play football. Watch athletes give each other permanent brain damage and encourage children to start playing a game that will leave some of them with brain injury. After all, we have a President bent on dividing the nation in every possible way, who acts like he has brain damage.
2
totally agree!
That is why I kept my children away from team sports. It encourages a stupid corporate or military attitude. It brainwashes children (especially boys) into "us vs. them" mentality, violence, and obeying orders for the good of the team.
Bicycling, tennis, running....those are physical activities that promote independent thinking. We have too much money for and too much emphasis on team sports in the US---
BAN football from high schools --- too many brain injuries. Also soccer-- there are many concussions and injuries there as well. And let's add ice hockey to the list-- another stupid violent sport.
Give more money to the Arts!!!! Critical thinking, individualism.
I am appalled that the NY Times devotes space on the front page of the online edition to these millionaires and billionaires and their disputes and feelings. Put this in the sports section, if you must report on it. There are huge catastrophes, tragedies, and urgent political struggles in our country. I am sick of needing to read about football, football players, and the owners of their teams. Not all of us love watching brutal vicious sports that celebrate male aggression. To now be forced to read about those players' opinions on the front page is insulting and offensive.
9
If you aren't interested, then why are you presumably reading the article and commenting? What is it that makes you "need" to read about a subject you are uninterested in? Who is "forcing" you to read these articles? If you find it so insulting and offensive, perhaps you could avert your eyes and move down the page or screen to the news stories that you think are worthy of your attention. Then those of us who find this a compelling news story and would like to discuss it can go ahead and do that. Nobody is forcing you to read an article that you don't want to read. Just move along.
Why did NFL prohibit Cowboys from wearing decal honoring 5 officers ambushed & slain in Dallas? Why was team prohibited from wearing decal on helmets on annivers. of 9/11 honoring the slaughtered.
It's not that hard NFL, you can prohibit players from kneeling or staying in locker room during 90 second playing of national anthem. You are a business, you are their employer, who's business is to entertain & please your fans. Can't get this no-brainer? Then your audience will be gone! Please stand.....to honor every fallen hero whose remains are flown home to America, their coffins draped w/ our beautiful American flag, & remain standing for these brave servicemen's parents, siblings, spouses, & children. Stand... for heroes who didn't die, but bodies maimed, missing limbs or eyesight. Stand...for every serviceman who fought defending our country, flag & American way of life, who sacrificed spending months or years away from their families defending our freedom. We can appreciate & support concerns about racial injustices. Go kneel at a police station or a courthouse. Don't spit in the faces of those who enjoy football, & who love America enough to die defending her. There is absolutely no excuse allowing your players to kneel, sit, fist, & wait in the locker room. Your brand has been tainted, the joy is gone, along with a certain American Pride we always felt on Sunday afternoon. Soon the players will kill their own golden goose w/ their disrespectful behavior.
11
The NFL already has a rule in place stating "The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.
"During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking."
If any organization is unwilling to enforce rules it puts in place, they have already surrendered the keys to the asylum to the inmates.
2
Of course you would refer to those who are predominantly African American as inmates; in your mind, you just cut out the middle man ... something that got us into this mess in the first place.
Football isn't the national sports pastime-Baseball is.
How hard is this really? Warmups, back to the locker room, play the national anthem for the fans, then have the teams come out for introductions.
Alternately, stop playing the national anthem at professional games. Save it for events of national significance and for team USA.
1
Why? There is no fan based support for what you suggest.
The fans are a bunch of brainwashed individuals.
It is time to ban the anthem from sports. What does it have to do with violent football and men causing brain damage to one another?
Or is it all just a metaphor for war, another stupid activity?
How about the NFL starts a full outreach program, co-sponsored with the NFLPA, that lobbies Congress for federal funding. It can be pitched as a long-game, to white youth awareness of racism. That would be a way forward. Who's listening?
Donald Trump actually has a point about NFL owners not being able to control their players - they players are in a union that protects their right to speak out about social issues and protest the anthem as they have done to date, and the owners have had to swallow that because the alternative would be to drive the talent away (anyone remember the 1987 NFL strike and the replacement pros)? What Trump longs for are the days of the USFL, when the owners ran the league, the players were mostly underpaid except for a handful of big stars and the quality of the football was decidedly second-rate. That may be OK for him, but is it OK for the average fan who wants to see the best football athletes around compete at a high level?
Politics of divide and conquer is straight out of the Republican playbook. When I was a 10-year old kid and starting my love affair with the Packers, the one thing that I could always count on was that everyone could gather together, regardless of politics, and cheer on our favorite team. In later years as we kids grew older and my brother and one sister followed my parents' politics while my other two sisters and I grew more liberal, we could still find common ground in our love for Green Bay.
My suspicion is that creating chaos and fracturing among football fans is just another great way to strip away our common affiliations and distrust each other more, thereby furthering the GOP's plan to win without a true majority.
Much respect to the players who are trying to bring unity. They're showing true leadership.
3
I'm a big football fan (game pass subscriber) but I believe the NFL is somewhat getting what it deserves. The league worships at the alter of militarism, and Trump is using their religion against them; mostly in an attempt to distract from his failing agenda.
Also, by encouraging players to be active in their communities, the NFL can't exactly complain when players want to address concerns of racial and social injustice.
1
For all those who are claiming that player's have first amendment right, I suggest exercising your first amendment right when you go to work today.
First amendment rights are never a consideration in a private institution. Private employers can put policies in place which curb employees first amendment rights in the workplace.
So if you are hurting your employer's profit to feel good, or to make yourself popular, your employer has the right to fire you.
If NFL thinks that declining profits in order to oppose Trump is okay, its their choice. Most fans, obviously do not want another dose of political nonsense when they are watching football, hence the decline in ticket sales and viewership.
NFL made a mistake in this case in understanding who its customers are. It is not the bleeding heart liberal who wants to cry BLM at every opportunity. It is that rowdy pickup truck driving man, who has respect for authority an law and takes pride in tribalism, does not matter whether the tribe is his nation, or his team.
8
"It is that rowdy pickup truck driving man, who has respect for authority an law and takes pride in tribalism, does not matter whether the tribe is his nation, or his team."
Yes-- They are Neanderthals!!! Are you praising this?
We turn our boys into violent "rowdy pickup truck driving" men.... yeah right... maybe the same Neo-Nazis who went to Charlottesville?
The same men who will fight in a war even if they don't know what they are fighting for?
Yes, but what private employer makes their employees stand for the national anthem before work every day? By doing so, the employer IS asking the employee to make a political statement.
Social Justice is the road to a socialist/communist country. There has never been justice when it is social. History is jammed packed with people that have tried it to there destruction.
7
Brian , you must see a Commie behind every tree. Give me universal affordable single payer healthcare or death which is what many will get with the GOP-Trump plan that cuts $800 billion from existing healthcare to fund a tax cut for the 1%.
The USA is certainly Exceptional in comparison to the rest of the developed world as far as healthcare & the income gap between the top 1% & the bottom 80%.
I agree with the comments calling for an end to the playing of the National Anthem before sporting events. The last time I went to a pro football game a few years ago, most of the people around me were already intoxicated and spent the time during the (prolonged) singing of the anthem talking, gibbering or just swaying with their cup of beer. And these are the people "upset" with players' taking a knee? Trump's nonsensical tweeting concerning the anthem is just another of his attempts to distract attention from the destruction reigned upon us by his despicable administration. Trump, the "patriotic" person who used every trick in the book to avoid service in Vietnam, who shamelessly accepted a veterans' Purple Heart during last year's campaign while saying, "I always wanted one of these", is as much an American patriot as his soul mate Putin.
The NFL has been paid very well by the armed forces for these false patriotic portrayals. It is time for it to stop.
19
Bending on one knee is a sign of respect (though not necessarily agreement), and was originally the meaning of "genuflection." Imagine proposing marriage while the man is on both knees! That's more like begging. And standing up is not a particularly respectful or even unusual physical position. Unless you're right in front of royalty, where standing straight is considered disrespectful.
1
What solution can be found when the president behaves as though he is just off the troll farm, and does all he can to amplify Putin’s ongoing disruption campaign? Continue to speak truth to power and call out his lies. Show nobility in the face of his demagoguery. And hope the investigations soon reach a point of clarity so dazzling that finally even those who choose to avert their eyes must see the light.
1
simple solution-stop playing the anthem....a useless tradition people wouldn't miss.....
4
Why start sporting (or social) events with the anthem?
6
The team owners gave millions to a bully who assaults women, and has ties to right wing violent and racist organizations. That makes them bullies as well.
Now these same owners are intimidated by brief peaceful actions.
Bullies are always proven to be cowards when successfully confronted.
1
Dear offended white people, the protests are not supposed to make you feel good. They are meant to make you feel uncomfortable. Maybe you should ask yourself why it is someone else's actions - actions that are no skin off your back - make you feel uncomfortable. And if you are angry, you might question whether the anger is because of the actions of the players, or because their actions make you uncomfortable.
35
Reciprocally, you must accept the discomfort that you might otherwise complain about as a microagression...it cuts both ways and you are asking to have your wheel oiled while others can not....
7
If you're looking for quickest way to stifle meaningful dialog on race, start your statement with "Dear offended white people."
Reminds me of a reasonable discussion I saw taking place outside the St. Louis Cardinals game this week. Black protestors and a white baseball fan were speaking and listening to each other when an obnoxious "white ally" had to march over and get in the face of the baseball fan, abruptly ending what was otherwise a positive, peaceful dialog.
You think you're helping. You're NOT.
Colin Kaepernick knelt to draw attention to himself. It's the same slacktivist junk that people do on Facebook, a la the "Ice Bucket Challenge." Kaepernick (who is half white) was adopted and grew up with white parents in a small, predominantly white town in California, where he was the star quarterback. I sincerely doubt that he has ever experienced any of the things that he is protesting against. Likewise, what he is protesting is a false narrative, disproved by crime statistics.
2
Probably the NFL lost the opportunity for "football to just be about football" when it required players to attend the playing of the National Anthem on field before every game in 2009.
Or when the NFL accepted over $5Million from the Department of Defense to highlight the military during halftimes in 2011.
59
Marketing! The NFL has sought to steep itself in patriotic symbolism for decades. From field-size flags to fighter jet fly-overs, it markets its red white & blueism intently as a key part of its product. In between concussive hits we are constantly reminded of veterans, serving troops, Armed Forces game broadcasts, etc. This is not bad, but it is a key part of the highly profitable NFL product pitch. Patriotism sells! Ask George M Cohan.
Trouble is, even rich players who love America and football see the problems in our society, often different views of the same problems that have so angered and energized Trump voters. Good people can see the same thing and disagree about meaning. If you don't want to see protest, watch Duck Dynasty. Football is not just crew-cut men doing everything in lock-step. It is characters from all walks of life, from Harvard, Stanford, and the mean streets. They do not always agree. Why should they? They are Americans, and Americans disagree. Freedom to agree, to dissent, to protest. So what, if they can bring it on game day?
7
Hopefully Players and the NFL use common sense and goodwill to come up with an acceptable plan.
I would think a 2-cycle action could work – 1st the usual Nat Anthem with players standing 2nd a recognized moment of player unity with players doing “whatever” for a period of time.
Nobody should want to perpetuate the divisiveness that our President seems to want.
1
Here is a suggestion: remove all the anthem playing and flag waving and jingoistic displays during commercial sporting events. Professional sports is a business, and trying to tie it to patriotism in order to pump it up is really just a marketing ploy. Let NFL football be NFL football, and leave the teary displays of patriotism to other venues.
23
The NFL owners and major media owners cherish money above all else. They would like us all to think the dollar is the constitution. Unfortunately we are finding out how disastrous and destructive that idea is.
Money is to make our lives better by making it easier to make transaction with other human beings - not destroy our lives. Time to put money back in it's place in civilization.
Who cares about Colin Kaepernick? In last night's Bears-Packers game, Green Bay receiver Davante Adams was carted off the field immobilized on a stretcher, to be rushed by ambulance to a local hospital. A radio sports announcer later reported "good news" : that Adams had "movement in his extremities," as if that put closure to the matter. This game is LIFE-THREATENING and needs to be banned. Sorry, but compared to that, who cares about Colin Kaepernick?
3
Police brutality is life threatening and needs to be banned. You can choose to participate in a sport. You can't chose to opt out of contacts with law enforcement.
2
I want to see the fans take the knee. The flag and the anthem are symblols that are supposed to make all of us proud to be American. Taking the knee shows the world we are sad that this is not the case. Trump's reaction to the NFL is the same as his reaction since he first came on the scene. There are two Americas, the one that he is leader of, and the rest.
7
Ottawa? Isn't that part of Canada? Now those players that are kneeling. Lets think about them. Most are multi millionaires, that think life outside of football is one big drug and booze induced party. The spend their millions on drugs, bling, fast cars, big houses. Most have bachelors degrees from universities that drafted them form high schools, So their degree basically handed to them so they could play football. The NFL association would not let a player whose mother had breast cancer wear pink socks, they wouldn't allow a team to wear decals in support of the five police officers gunned down in Dallas, they wouldn't let the players wear s decal of the traid centers to honor the victims of 9/11, they find a player for dancing in the end zone. In the NFL charter of rules of conduct it states that a player must stand, facing the flag with their helmets under their left arm. Are you able to see the hypocrisy here?
2
Rbill; glad to see that at least one American knows his geography. Living in Ottawa doesn't mean that I am not American, which I am. Your blanket condemnation of all black athletes proves my point, it's called racism and that is blight on America that should disturb us all not just those that live outside the country. That's the real hypocrisy.
1
Like everything else, this is a deliberate baiting of the NFL to rev up the monster's base. I fully support the right of anyone to express himself in any way, and to honor the INTENT of the flag's symbolism, rather than the symbol itself. As a senior white woman who has benefited from the accident of being white, I am horrified that we still have so much outright racism in our society, and that the current occupant of the White House thinks nothing of attacking everyone who opposes him. He has besmirched our country and our government and endangered our security in ways that almost noone else ever has. Hurry up, Robert Mueller!
10
Two questions:
Are you allowed to protest at work?
Would you support your restaurant server wearing a MAGA hat and talking up President Trump while serving you? Or does your "support" of the right of people expressing themselves in any way limited to expressions you support?
4
Why not ask these pampered millionaires if they are registered voters? If they care so much about their society, wouldn't they be registered voters. What percentage of NFL players do YOU think are registered? 20% of less is my guess. Oh, of course, convicted felons would still be ineligible to vote, so that disqualifies a good handful. If these were still "no drama, Obama" times, he would be working on getting that changed, I'm sure.
2
Racism is alive and thriving on both side of the pond.
We need to thank Donald Trump for beginning the end of this savage 'sport' that we so enjoy but that we know for certain leaves participants with serious, irreversible brain damage.
Dan Kravitz
1
Politics in football is like a fly in your beer. Pour it out and get a new one. Goodbye NFL, you will not be missed.
1
Speak for yourself!
1
Stop playing the national anthem before games. Problem solved. These players are not playing in the Olympics, World Cup or some other contest where they're representing the US against another country - playing the anthem before each game is just silly.
24
Please, NFL players, continue to stand up for your principals. Ignore the radical "supposed" patriots who are complaining. They follow David Duke and other haters and have no place in America.
NFL owners - Stand Down. They are not YOUR players. They are people who play football to make you money. Big difference.
22
Suppose the players' principles included requiring pledging allegiance in school, defending confederate monuments, opposing universal healthcare?
1
"Please, NFL players, continue to stand up for your principals. Ignore the radical "supposed" patriots who are complaining. They follow David Duke and other haters and have no place in America."
That didn't take long. We have now gotten to the point where if you admonish people for not standing for the national anthem, you have thrown in with the KKK. Wow.
1
If you want football to just be about football, I would suggest eliminating the compulsory patriotic displays entirely. Otherwise, you must be prepared to accept a variety of constitutionally protected responses.
83
"If you want football to just be about football, I would suggest eliminating the compulsory patriotic displays entirely."
Ludicrous sophistry. As Carole King sang, "And it's too late, baby, now it's too late..." The anthem has been played before NFL games since the end of WWII. To suddenly now eliminate the playing of the anthem would be rightly perceived as the cowardly capitulation of businessmen solely interested in protecting their brand. You think the howls of protest are loud now?
3
Have you ever actually read the Constitution? The First Amendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This current brouhaha has nothing to do with Congress enacting any law. No one is telling the players what they can do on their off time. But when they're on the football field, they're on the job working for a private employer, and that employer has every right to prohibit political demonstrations and grandstanding while the players are on the clock.
1
The players will still protest in a public way, on the field. They've found a way to hijack a national TV audience to what they believe in. Or what their agents have told them they better believe if they want marketability among the woke.
We haven't seen the end of this by a long way.
Maybe the NFL should have thought of this before they entered the marketing agreement with the Department of Defense back in 2009. That agreement required the DOD to pay the NFL over $60 million in exchange for requiring the players to leave the locker room and be on the field during the anthem. It also provided for all sorts of events and propagandizing on the field in support of the various treasure-depleting wars that DJT promised in his inauguration speech to end. The Steelers had the right idea - stop politicizing football by using the players a props for warmongering. Let them stay in the locker room until its time for kickoff.
20
Yes--- football is being used to recruit our mercenary army for useless wars.
If one is worried about disadvantaged Americans, of which there are millions from every background and ethnicity, there are far more effective ways to contribute than grandstanding gestures. Millionaire athletes playing the victim and blaming the country that gave them their dreams is not a good look.
7
Trey Long – the protesting players are not 'playing the victim' – they are wanting to bring attention to the injustice toward people of color that persists in this country.
(Also, the country did not give them their dreams. They worked hard and earned their spots on the various teams.)
If fans want to make football just about football, and therefore ban kneeling during the anthem, then they should also be in favor of banning the sign of the cross by any player at any time during the game, pre-game or post-game.
7
This is reminiscent of nothing so much as the Nixon/Agnew criminal conspiracy having construction workers and other thugs attack anti-war protesters with pipes and baseball bats. In those days, professional athletes were, almost 100%, behind the president and the war. Those few who spoke out included Dave Meggysey, John Carlos and Tommie Smith. They were, for the most part, all literally shunned for their actions.
Conservative presidents and their henchmen are not used to seeing organized protests by professional athletes. I just looked at my copy of the Constitution and the 1st Amendment does not actually have an exclusion of free speech rights on Sunday as Trump seems to think it does.
It's not that the protesters don't love their country. They simply hate what the country is doing in the area of how it treats poor people and people of color in the areas of criminal justice, lack of health care and related social justice concerns.
3
In 40+ states the highest paid state employee is a basketball/football coach.
As i recall recently spousal abuse by football players was their signature. Now it appears they MUST speak out against the law being enforced on them.
These people "lack standing" as they say in court.
If this fiasco ends up diminishing compensation and the NFL as a role model it will be one good outcome.
We are listening to the wrong people falsely framing issues starting with Trump, the Republicans and Hillary democrats.
5
The same fans who would rather the players "stick to sports" probably voted for Trump. He's the one responsible for injecting politics into this. They have nobody to blame but themselves.
5
I think we can all agree on the following statements:
1. The players have the right to protest anything they want to protest
2. The fans have the right to be upset at the players or to not be upset
3. They players protests have caused a huge problem for the NFL with its customer base, the fans.
Now, they must find a way to get out of this mess that saves the NFL. THAT is all that matters from a business point of view. There are far more fans that are upset by this than NFL employees. It would seem the best way to solve this is to give the customer what it wants, and if the employees don't like it, they can always be replaced. You can't replace the NFL.
1
The headline does not fit the story. The story describes chaos. There is no careful plotting or any sort of path.
A careful plot would involve removing all politics from the playing field. From when the gates open to when the gates close it should be pure entertainment. That is the only way they win because any other path leads them to a no-win situation where they get to chose which half of the country to make angry.
6
Maybe it's time for the NFL to be replaced by online games. No concussions for one. And in any case isn't "Fantasy Football" essentially using real players as avatars. And use the insane amounts of money to improve education and opportunity for minorities.
3
The issue is racism in America- not about a flag, not about patriotism, not about supporting the military, not about football players, not about owners or a commissioner or about fans and least of all a Trump. Why are we still saying it is some other issue:
It's about racism in America
7
These NFL teams should stop the protests and leave them for when they are off the field. They should stand up and respect our flag and the people that continue to keep us safe, men and women of all colors. If the NFL does stop this they will loose.
1
I think it's time to stop telling grown men what to do. They are adults, not chattel.
1
As a football fan, I was concerned that once the protests against racial injustice began that one of the team owners was going to punish any player who participated, resulting in creating martyrs and generating more widespread support among other members of the team and fans. Unfortunately, the President has done exactly that.
Is this the ideal manner or situation to protest injustice? Probably most of us don’t think so whether we support the protesters position or not. Still, it is difficult to see this ending without some concessions to the protesters because it is increasingly evident the players have the power in this situation (in fact, this could be the type of watershed moment we have seen in other social protests where accommodation if not change begins).
Another factor that seems to elude the President as he stokes the furnace with his “fire all the protesters” rants, is that NFL football teams are overwhelming comprised of black players (nearly 70% of the players) who would seem to be more likely to support these racial injustice protests. Do we really want to end up in a situation like the University of Missouri did a few years ago where the football players refused to play unless changes were made? (in that situation with the removal of certain university administrators).
1
Too little Too late.
I will NEVER watch another "game" by the petulant millionaires. Nor will I intentionally buy and products from their ad base.
4
The league was going to fine players for wearing 9/11 memorial shoes, the league penalizes teams for Excessive Celebration, but these political stunts are okay? Give me a break. If I wanted political commentary, I would tune into Fox, MSNBC or CNN. I just want to watch a good game. Take the politics out of football.
And I truly do not want to here from multi-millionaires complaining about income inequality. Do not take a knee, actually DO something.
10
The fans can get over it. Players are people. Simple as that.
5
The players that protest like Kaepernick are abusing a platform they are privileged to be a part of, namely, membership in an exclusive club.
Their right to express themselves must be outside this work stop or lose their membership. Find another vehicle to get your message out.
8
They should not have to be USED by the military-industrial complex by being trotted out and forced to exhibit patriotism in public.
Get rid of the anthem at all sports events.
You are totally wrong DTOM. Kaepernick is walking the walk just as Dr. King did. There is an injustice that the white nation refuses to see. ALL venues to wake up the sleepers must be used.
Why not unfurl a flag during the National Anthem that displays our constitution? The Stars and Stripes are an ambiguous symbol meaning different things to different people. The constitution is the substance that unites us all. Who cannot stand and lock arms to salute this country's greatest contribution to the world.
Why not just leave it up to the individual player. So what if the players that kneel or choose differently how they handle the National Anthem might further inflame the President, and he tweets his insults and idle threats. The players hopefully then, will continue to let Americans and the world know that we remain “Free to Demonstrate”.
The President was wrong to tweet his insults at the players and he should not be given a pass. The NFL players have the same rights we do. I have seen many at sporting events during the Anthem not hold their hands over their hearts. It never bothered me, we all handle our patriotism differently.
2
The NFL is all about money. As long as the virtue signallers stick to kneeling during the anthem all will remain relatively benign. Even if it aggravates fans and contributes nothing to their point. If they ever have the guts to actually disrupt the flow of the game and throw sand in the gears of the TV money machine (which makes players, owners and commissioner all rich) then I’ll believe they really believe in their cause. Unless that happens, it’s just signaling and putting comfort over cause.
1
Drop the national anthem entirely for ball games. Just a waste of time for phony patriotism. Most televised games have dropped airing the anthem long ago because people aren't interested. No more reason to play the anthem at ball games than at movies, operas, symphonies, plays or other public performances.
37
Yes! if fans want football to just be about football, let's do it. playing the national anthem, giving the NFL tax exempt status. get rid of it all.
1
Donald Trump won this round. The time and energy the nation but into this topic this week is astounding. We have had bombing campaigns that didn't get this much attention.
4
"We have had bombing campaigns that didn't get this much attention."
That's because the ultimate point of those bombing campaigns was our security and the ideals represented by the flag and anthem. Yes, those ideals haven't always been met through our history, but they are what we stand for, and the country has come a long way from slavery, Jim Crow and Joe McCarthy.
It is truly puzzling that folks who regularly regard kneeling as an act of utmost respect and humility when performed in church, seem to find it so distasteful and objectionable when it is done on the gridiron.
This contradiction raises some doubts about whether the firestorm of condemnation is less about the bent knee and bowed head, and more about the audacity of athletes who don't seem to know their place.
And pity the President, for directing the owners of these strong, unbroken men to teach them that lesson.
3
If comments on this article are one of the things that the NFL is monitoring, I want to let them know that I am more likely to watch if they support their players' first amendment rights.
5
We have a president using twitter to bully individuals to the point where we have the whole NFL trying to diffuse a situation Trump created because he cannot let anything go. Of course the NFL stands by their players, that's why they call it a team.
24
I support the players efforts to speak up against Trump and police violence. I don't think it's unpatriotic at all. However, I also see no reason to sing the National Anthem at sporting events either. Clearly, racism in America is not dead.
10
One solution: stop playing The National Anthem before sporting events. It is an embarrassment. Almost no one can sing it because it is hard to sing; no one knows the words (at least not after the first stanza; what it reflects is a military bombardment over two centuries ago; it says nothing about America's highest aspirations, no longer operative in the 21st century anyhow.
28
Yup. It's hard to sing, because it was composed by professionals for professionals. That's oddly kind of anti-democratic, isn't it.
Anyway, the NFL has been involved with advocacy for one thing or another for some time. Perhaps, it should get out of all advocacy -- so, no more pink shoes or anthems and such -- and just stick to football. The rest of us could then be satisfied that the decision to turn on or turn off the television would stop being invested with political significance.
The NFL has made a big mistake getting into the advocacy business. Folks just want to get away from all the politics-in-your-face and watch a game.
Why bother. We all now know what the NFL has now become.
Why can't kneeling be also seen as a sign of respect? We do it in church.
3
Individual players should stand, sit, kneel, levitate, I don't care, but groupthink is always a bad idea.
Hey, how about dropping the anthem altogether. The religious overtones are all too obvious.
3
Why doesn't the NFL just change it's policy and let protesters stay in the locker room until the anthem is over? Their absence would signify their protest but not do so in "in your face" insult to our military members past and present
as well as all patriotic fans. Those that do say that their protest is narrowly one area, police brutality, could signify same in a less "all-encompassing way", say wearing a black armband?
1
The players are experts on the field but not in the field of public relations. I think it worthy for the NFLPA and Owners to step-back and engage a PR- communications firm to plan and deliver a respectful response that reflects the moral dimension of the BLM under-current of protest. By releasing the players from an ad hoc protest the message may promote reflection on Trump's failed attempt to condem recent facist marches targeting non-whites.
The fact that most NFLPA mebers are of African-American descent raises another concern: more divisive politics in the era of Trump. In the absence of a PR campaign that provides a fresh view of the issues and the need to permit respectful protest, as provided by First Amendment rights, the influence of these great athletes on the moral dimension of race in America gets lost in a Trumpian nativist patriotism that is a false flag at best or a continuation of clear executive bias on race issues at worst.
If the president wanted to show his pride and patriotism he had his chance during the Vietnam War. Trump skipped-out of the draft by claiming 'foot spurs' as a medical condition precluding his show of patriotism on the field of battle where many patriots died in service of their country.
Trump's shout-out, 'your fired', against pro African American athletes is disrespectful of those who exercised their democratic rights in reply to a series of killings of black men by peace officers and unclear statements by Trump on race relations.
3
Let's go look at the arrest records, family support/child support of these "great Americans "and see if we really want them representing any protest.
The NFL owners are all cowards, their concern over their corporate profits driving their response to the players’ desire to “make a stand” against “perceived” racial injustice. The players are hypocrites, most making hundreds of thousands of dollars each year (the average NFL salary is over $450,000 per year), claiming “social injustice!” Last night was another evening for me to protest by not watching grown men playing a child’s game, not absorbing the product information from NFL sponsors, and looking forward to many more years of productive time away from a “sport” that is even less interesting today than soccer.
3
For the record, last season the average NFL salary was 1.9 million dollars.
It's time to end the NFL anti-trust exemption
3
They're having a meeting to figure how to get out of this mess that they created? How about this: what a select number of players were doing disgusted most Americans and the league allowed it to go on. With even more calls to stop this madness, the NFL doubled down, having coaches and owners take a knee with the players, etc. What a blunder. Goodbye, NFL, there are many of us who are not coming back. You're arrogance is to blame.
6
So can any player protest any cause, or is there a pre-selected list they have to choose from? For instance, suppose a player takes a knee in protest of abortion? Maybe holding up a picture of a aborted fetus is their way of expressing their First Amendment rights? I'm sure there are plenty of pro-life players. We must accept and respect everyone's freedom of speech, right?
8
The NFL gets paid to promote the military and it's fans don't complain. It is NOT that they would prefer football to just be about football. They would prefer to not be reminded of the deadly racism of this country.
41
Why don't they bury the hatchet and just invite Trump to take part in a friendly game? Trump himself has said it's a soft sport these days, and it's not like he has to worry about brain damage.
1
Why does the national anthem need to be played at all?
4
'.... while accommodating fans who would prefer football to just be about football.'
Fine, don't play the anthem at all. Oh, and quit taking bribes from the military while you pretend to 'honor America'. What does honoring America consist of anyway? Slavish conformity masked as patriotic propaganda? The phrase is an empty platitude, devoid of any meaning.
2
fire the 40 million dollar man for an obvious leadership failure that the commissioner caused and continues to let fester
Now it's back in the hands of the very cowards that let this behavior loose in the first place. Mr Economics ALWAYS has the last word over cheap ideology.
1
What does broadcasting preposterous 19th century war-celebrating doggerel over the stadium PA system and placing hand over the heart have to do with public service or self-sacrifice for country?
If disapproving fans don't want to infect sports with politics, why not dispense with this self-serving nonsense?
48
Yup keep erasing our traditions and patriotic civil liberties
Soon you'll hear about hundred thousand dollar contracts. : )
Goodell should be terminated. He can't see past his 44 million a year!
1
Any sports league that has a team called the "Washington Redskins" is in no position to lecture the rest of us about racial sensitivity and social justice. Period.
2
Unity pretense is a farce. These are people who spent decades excluding Black people from all of professional football. They have denied access of blacks to management and other positions of responsibility. I do not believe that there is any concern for Black people i n the dirty knees of their pants or their weepy eyes. Some of these players also need to take care of their offspring if they want me to believe that their concern about the murders of black men is genuine. Many scaredy cats will stop their protests or modify them by holding hands and singing kumbuyah with their owners/oppressors. Some will not. I will support continuing demonstrations by tuning out football as I have done for a while.
Pathetic how fast they've caved to our president's racist bullying. Tough, resourceful, independent, the NFL folds. How embarrassing. Now I'm going to boycott them.
IF the NFL (and all of Trump-Pence supporters) wish to uphold the Constitution of the USA, they MUST allow their employees the personal freedom of choice regarding their actions regarding symbols of the USA. This right is enshrined in the Constitution and by US Supreme Court decisions striking down oath to flag and destroying the flag.
As odious as any such seeming disrespectful activity appears, if the USA is to remain true to it's Constitution, it must not emulate Nazi Germany (destroying symbols of the state was punished with a year in Dachau), present day Turkey, NoKorea, and the every majourity Muslim nation.
Trump-Pence have placed the USA on a slippery slope to fascism, it is up to the people to refuse the ride.
3
The NFL anthem protest is based on pure fiction. Racism, even fictional racism, is simply source material to leftists and race activists. Everything in America is white privilege has given way to everything is white supremacy. Meanwhile, black males commit homicide at 10 times the rate of whites and Hispanics combined. Almost 50% of all cop-killers are black males, despite being only 7 percent of the population. There is not an epidemic of rogue, evil white racist cops waking up in the morning with the intent of targeting blacks based solely on their skin color. There is, though, an undisputed and decades long epidemic of violent crime in black communities. There is an undisputed decades long epidemic of black children being born out of wedlock and raised by single mothers. It's almost impossible to overstate the negative effect of these epidemics, and yet no one is taking a knee to protest them. In fact, raising these epidemics in argument are sure to get the speaker accused of racism.
6
There is also an undisputed and decades long epidemic of systemic racism. Isn't it well past time to address the root causes of the reasons for these protests?
Please provide concrete examples.
They can avoid the potential for that by not breaking the law and interacting with police and the court system on such a frequent basis.
1
If demanding tha all Team members exhibit the same political posture, that breaks with the nationally and accepted one does not scare you, How about the Nazi salute , or the stupid fist bump to replace a handshake.
Zig heil the socialistic and communist movement ?
Put politics in sports and you kill the sport.
The NFL , I predict, will not be able to put the genie back in the bottle
1
Both the NFL and Google are private employers.
It's interesting to me how in the case of the Google coder who was fired for his essay on gender representation in tech, few people mentioned his right to free speech. Not so with the current protests which have endlessly dominated headlines, even as Puerto Rico drowns.
What's especially interesting that as private companies, they each have the full power to regulate employee speech. And employees are what football players are, despite their multi-million yearly earnings.
(I would hope that readers realize that First Amendment rights come into play only if the government does the forbidding. As a matter of civility and openness you would want people to express their ideas publicly.)
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Free speech on the left means agreeing with them
"...because it risks inflaming the President.."
This sounds like adults concerned about a toddler having a temper tantrum in the White House.
How about if President Trump simply acknowledges that the reason for these kneeling protests, excessive and deadly police violence against Americans of color, is a concern for him. He doesn't even have to act on that concern but he gets brownie points for speaking to the topic.
Especially after Trump's racial insensitive suggestion that some "very nice people" marched with Neo-Nazis and white supremacists in Charlottesville.
Trump has publicly Tweet-shamed and voiced slanderous remarks, like calling NFL athletes "sons of bitches", hundreds of times and Trump has never been remorseful for his actions. His false claim that kneeling protests are attacks on the flag, our beloved military or patriotism in general is laughable.
Trump only likes free speech on his terms, with angry Tweets.
So SAD!
3
The NFL enjoys tax-exempt status which puts about an extra billion dollars in the league's wallet every year, a status which bars political activism. I wonder how long this "standing on principle" will last after an IRS review threatens the bottom line.
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The NFL is tax exempt, but the earnings paid out to the players, coaches, staff & owners is taxed. The NFL distributes the profits to the teams, holding just enough to maintain operations. Your comment lacks substance.
1
Almost every stadium is paid for by Tax payers. NFL thumbs their noses at the people who build their stadiums.
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The NFL has actually finally relinquished their tax-exempt status
The purpose of the national anthem should never have been to celebrate the military. Its purpose, and the best it had to offer, was to create a moment when fans, of all backgrounds, would unite for one brief moment. "Take me out to the ball game," in baseball’s seventh inning, does as much, or perhaps even more so, and singing America the Beautiful, without the presence of jets flying overhead, would do as well. President Trump, from a position of far greater influence than Colin Kaepernick, has followed a course of faction, infighting and division, by design, both in his Presidency and in his criticism of the NFL and its players. How can the President now possibly expect the broader public to follow anything but by his example? One reaps what one sows. Let's sow
2
Once again, the inmates are running the asylum, thanks to owners' weak-kneed response to the protests.
The players have it wrong: only private citizens have the right to express themselves as they see fit. Any of us are certainly within our rights to do so ......on our front lawns or any other venue so authorized by government.
Employees, on the other hand, enjoy only those rights that are bestowed on them by their employers. If the owners say "no sideline protests", so be it. The players should accept the rules or retire.
This whole controversy is unnecessary. The owners have allowed it to happen.
6
Here's a thought. Keep both teams in the locker room until AFTER the National Anthem. The fans in the stadium can then make whatever response to the National Anthem they choose to make. For ME, it will ALWAYS be to stand at attention facing the Flag with my hand over my heart, showing my respect for our country. Other fans can choose to do the same or kneel, lay down, raise their fists or make whatever response they choose to make-- which is their 1st Amendment right ( a right which is defended by our military, who richly deserve our deep respect and gratitude).
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Or, the NFL can actually do something about racism. This is not about the anthem, or protest itself, it's about the target of the protest: out of control police brutality and terrorism against black people of all ages, classes, sexes.
1
Swygert.
Better idea: Do not televise the anthem. Let the players work it out with their in-stadium fans
The awsome (as in awe inspiring) thing to me is these guys do whatever they choose to do before the game and then go out on the field and work with each other. The guy who stands with his hand over his heart blocks for the guy who kneels. They have differences and still can cooperate as a team. I never before thought of players as particularly useful role models, but have changed my mind. More folks in our country should operate this way - like fans, maybe. We can and should let the players be who they are as human beings, agree with them or not, and then back them 100% as our team.
3
Polling, tv ratings and financial projections will eventually define the path for the NFL and the players. Most players are only there for a few years and are much closer to the minimum than the max salary. A lot of them cannot afford to lose 10...15...20% of their salary when the next cba comes out or when the networks renegotiate. More immediate is that teams normally plan on the salary cap going up every year and set up the player contracts with that expectation. If it doesn't go up next year, fat will be trimmed. Players that wouldn't normally have been cut, will be and more will their salaries renegotiated down. This has morphed into a financial decision for many and the players, as well as owners, will have to decide what they are going to prioritize.
1
I love football. On Sundays I put the game on, and the sounds fill my apartment with the background noise of my childhood. It's as if my father is still alive, and I half expect to hear him cheering or jeering from the next room. He had a spring in his step on Mondays when we won, and carried his pain all the way to the next game when we lost - something that's carried into the next generation. Our team was always a conversation starter, even when our teenage years left us little else in common. As adults, we all moved to other cities, but every last one of us stuck with Dad's team. On Sunday, I would love to turn a blind eye and just enjoy the game for what it is. But that's no longer possible, and I'll never really forgive Trump for that.
3
You're right of course. The media made a big deal of CK'd silent protest, so of course DT had to chime in, making it a much bigger brouhaha than necessary. Instead of being a leader who seeks to heal divisions, he fans the flames of racism every chance he gets. He's a sick man. But you know that.
Colin Kaepernick is a true American hero!
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Mr Kaepernick does not vote. Maybe there will be press coverage of him voting in the upcoming elections. He does not stand for the Anthem, and he does not salute the flag. Does not portray himself as American anything. But he does want to play American football and make $11 million annually. Next season he will do neither.
I wonder if he pays taxes
1
zero.
fixed it for you.
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Maybe he is. Maybe he isn't. One thing IS certain: he's a backup.
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I don't trust people who try to force "unity" regarding what amounts to political issues. Why would all the players, all the coaches, all the owners, and all the fans be "unified" politically? There is something very phony baloney about all this.
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The players and owners should have stood for the flag and the anthem. They didn't and now Congress is looking into its sweet anti-trust exemptions that allow the League to rake in the profits for NFL television broadcasts.
1
And scary, reminds me of the mandatory Nazi salute
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It reminds me of President George W. Bush's quote; "You're either with us, or against us".
2