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NFL National Anthem...why is it so hard to do correctly?
This is not a political rant or complaint about kneeling.
I was at a sports bar for lunch today and they had a bunch of games on. They all did their National Anthem at the same time so I got to see it happening on different TVs. Anyway, why is it so hard for NFL players to just stand still, face the flag and put their hand on their heart?
Your hand doesn't go over your stomach, you dont grab the neck of your shoulder pads, you don't link arms with teammates. Right hand over your heart. Simple.
Face the flag, period. If there isn't a flag present, you face the music. Don't stare at your toes, or look for hot chicks in the stands. Again, pretty simple.
Don't shuffle around. Stand still.
It's like most of these guys have never been taught what to do. It was the freaking 911 remembrance and most of the players acted like it was a nuisance to stand respectfully for the anthem.
Rant over.
Comments
Has anyone taught them how to do it?
not even sure why the players are out there during it. Even less sure why we have to play it before all these sporting events.
Also, if you are wearing a hat, you still put your hand over your heart....not your hat. Two option here:
1) remove your hat, put it in your left hand, then place your right hand over your heart...
2) keep your hat in your right hand but still place your hand over your heart (this will place your hat at your shoulder). You do not lazily place your hat over your heart.
I always go with option 1.
To me, if you are going to do it...do it right.
First question - Yes, if they went to elementary school in this country, then most likely they had at least one teacher instruction them on how to do this properly.
Second question - Because we live in the United States of America and its our National Anthem...
Somewhere along the way we seem to have forgotten that this country is about freedom. Was it perfect from the start? No. Is it perfect now? No. But good people have fought for and died for freedom. Freedom isn't free. We live in a free country, and those people and their families should be honored regularly for that sacrifice. This is a sacred ideal that separates us from every other nation. When we stop treating it that way, we will stop seeing people willing to continue make that sacrifice.
Division is natural and has always been a reality in the history of America, but we need something to unite us in spite of the divisions. Its why our country is called the United States of America. Freedom is that one sacred uniting ideal. Having one ritual to remind us all of that is essential.
Don't do the national anthem then. Not everyone is going to act exactly the way you want, so might as well not have it to spare people's feelings. It's also weird to sing it at non-state events anyways.
I went to elementary school here and don’t remember any of that. I remember standing up for the pledge of allegiance every morning (also strange). I get the doing it wrong being a pet peeve, but no one is teaching this stuff. I also imagine these players are ready to play and not sit thru something else.
I don’t have any problems with the national anthem per se, just mentioning how it’s weird we play it before sporting events played by paid athletes.
Be careful or the PC police will come after you
Been "weird" for a long time then, and there has always been folks who didn't act "right". The vast majority enjoy it so why impact them for a minority part of the group?
See this is something I never knew. I’ve always put the hat on my heart. Thanks.
Maybe a little grace for the players. They might not know what to do either.
I don't care that it's played, but I do think it's odd since it's not an official government event where national anthems are typically performed. What I do care about is trying to force everyone to perform a ritual the exact way you want them to. Runs counter to American values of freedom.
Edit: Not sure why the 2nd part about helping our troops and veterans was edited out but we should be doing much more to help them.
Harmonically our anthem is not a good song. I admit I think The Russian anthem is the best in the world because 100 or 100K untalented bozos can sing along and evoke tremendous passion. Maybe my contribution to this board is as a poster suggested a willingness to add something unpopular to the conversation in the way of honest opinion. Hopefully delivered with a touch of insight, even when I know it won't be popular.
Any of you ever been on a medivac flight with a guy your age with both arms and both legs blown off? Or seen body bags stacked up like cord wood in preparation for the final trip home? If you had you might understand why it’s an honor to stand proudly for the national anthem. My two cents worth.
I don’t think anyone’s debating that. I just don’t know why we play the national anthem before sports games. Not trying to make a commie statement or anything.
But you were taught to stand up and put your hand over your heart. Where your hat is, I would venture to guess is not something PG is nearly as concerned with, in spite of the fact he mentioned it. That is not something taught in most schools since kids are not allowed to wear hats. But everyone knows to put your hand over your heart. For me, and I would venture to say most that care, its the small gesture of respect that counts.
There are plenty of other countries that play their national anthem before sporting events. I saw a ruby game in Ireland where theirs was played before and after the game-- its not that "weird." Its Patriotism. Its something we should preserve if we want unity and not something we should try to minimize or relegate.
However still, to PG's point, since professional athletes can apparently easily be directed by their respective corporations to carry out other symbolic ceremonies as they often are, especially lately, like holding ribbons, kneeling, etc, then they could also easily instruct them on how to hold your hat for the anthem.
As if anybody would disagree with you. That doesn't make our Anthem a great song, but of course it has great symbolism bestowed on it.
Even if they do it in other countries it’s still weird to play a national anthem before a non national team game.