Why didn't NFL Televize our National Anthem? For me, that's even more offending... Just sayN'

levander

Lots of hooping and hollering by the flag haters in this thread.

But they still don’t understand that you don’t get to choose what offends other people. If you’re doing something that offends the people you want to pay you, you should probably expect to receive less pay.

People who pay got freedom too. They’re not prisoner to your political beliefs.

It really is that simple.

There are lots of effective ways to raise awareness of and fight against police misconduct. This isn’t one of them. It’s not effective.

WCDawg

@pgjackson said:

@WCDawg said:

@pgjackson said:

@benjaminwgregg said:

@pgjackson said:

@SWARLES_BARKLEY said:

@pgjackson said:

Literally NOBODY is talking about the protest being about supposed police brutality. The only thing that has come of this is that it is an offense to the country and what the flag and anthem stands for.

100% evidence that you’re ignoring everything you disagree with. It was 100% about police brutality. Protest is about whatever the protesters say it’s about, by definition. If I stand on the street corner and protest animal cruelty, nobody gets to tell me I’m disrespecting the elderly because I’m doing it on bingo night. My protest is what I say it is.

Well, if you stand on a flag while protesting animal cruelty, then your protest will likely be interpreted as something other than what YOU want it to be about. For a protest to be effective, it need to be focused and detract from the original message. The fact that these players know that millions of veterans and others are highly offended by their conduct, and haven't adjusted their method of protest, leads me to believe it is about anti-America/veteran/patriot sentiment.

But they have adjusted their method of protesting. Kaepernick initially sat during the anthem, but a veteran teammate asked him to kneel instead as its more respectful. The protest isn't about our troops but it is about Anerica. You can protest America w/o protesting lur troops.

And you can protest equal rights without doing it during the one time when everyone is supposed to be respecting the flag and our anthem. To me (and millions of others), when you protest during the anthem, you are protesting against the entire country. You are offended by "America". These players are upset about one very small portion of this country. They should realize that their protest is unintentionally offending millions of people and adjust. Do something before or after the anthem. When the anthem is played, that is supposed to be the one time everyone shuts their pie-holes, stops complaining and arguing, and respect/acknowledge the fact that we live in the greatest country on Earth. Taking a knee is a big F-U to all of that.

@pgjackson said:

@benjaminwgregg said:

@pgjackson said:

@SWARLES_BARKLEY said:

@pgjackson said:

Literally NOBODY is talking about the protest being about supposed police brutality. The only thing that has come of this is that it is an offense to the country and what the flag and anthem stands for.

100% evidence that you’re ignoring everything you disagree with. It was 100% about police brutality. Protest is about whatever the protesters say it’s about, by definition. If I stand on the street corner and protest animal cruelty, nobody gets to tell me I’m disrespecting the elderly because I’m doing it on bingo night. My protest is what I say it is.

Well, if you stand on a flag while protesting animal cruelty, then your protest will likely be interpreted as something other than what YOU want it to be about. For a protest to be effective, it need to be focused and detract from the original message. The fact that these players know that millions of veterans and others are highly offended by their conduct, and haven't adjusted their method of protest, leads me to believe it is about anti-America/veteran/patriot sentiment.

But they have adjusted their method of protesting. Kaepernick initially sat during the anthem, but a veteran teammate asked him to kneel instead as its more respectful. The protest isn't about our troops but it is about Anerica. You can protest America w/o protesting lur troops.

And you can protest equal rights without doing it during the one time when everyone is supposed to be respecting the flag and our anthem. To me (and millions of others), when you protest during the anthem, you are protesting against the entire country. You are offended by "America". These players are upset about one very small portion of this country. They should realize that their protest is unintentionally offending millions of people and adjust. Do something before or after the anthem. When the anthem is played, that is supposed to be the one time everyone shuts their pie-holes, stops complaining and arguing, and respect/acknowledge the fact that we live in the greatest country on Earth. Taking a knee is a big F-U to all of that.

@pgjackson said:

@benjaminwgregg said:

@pgjackson said:

@SWARLES_BARKLEY said:

@pgjackson said:

Literally NOBODY is talking about the protest being about supposed police brutality. The only thing that has come of this is that it is an offense to the country and what the flag and anthem stands for.

100% evidence that you’re ignoring everything you disagree with. It was 100% about police brutality. Protest is about whatever the protesters say it’s about, by definition. If I stand on the street corner and protest animal cruelty, nobody gets to tell me I’m disrespecting the elderly because I’m doing it on bingo night. My protest is what I say it is.

Well, if you stand on a flag while protesting animal cruelty, then your protest will likely be interpreted as something other than what YOU want it to be about. For a protest to be effective, it need to be focused and detract from the original message. The fact that these players know that millions of veterans and others are highly offended by their conduct, and haven't adjusted their method of protest, leads me to believe it is about anti-America/veteran/patriot sentiment.

But they have adjusted their method of protesting. Kaepernick initially sat during the anthem, but a veteran teammate asked him to kneel instead as its more respectful. The protest isn't about our troops but it is about Anerica. You can protest America w/o protesting lur troops.

And you can protest equal rights without doing it during the one time when everyone is supposed to be respecting the flag and our anthem. To me (and millions of others), when you protest during the anthem, you are protesting against the entire country. You are offended by "America". These players are upset about one very small portion of this country. They should realize that their protest is unintentionally offending millions of people and adjust. Do something before or after the anthem. When the anthem is played, that is supposed to be the one time everyone shuts their pie-holes, stops complaining and arguing, and respect/acknowledge the fact that we live in the greatest country on Earth. Taking a knee is a big F-U to all of that.

Let them express themselves as they see fit.
Whether you like it or not the best proof of freedom is when a person can express unpopular beliefs openly.

And i still have the freedom to call them out for their misguided protest, correct?

Calling them out is not the same as demanding they behave as you'd prefer they do.

dawgwatch

I wonder how many of those that feel the need to kneel and protest have spent a dime of the millions of dollars they are making while kneeling and actually trying to make a difference in their hometown. While I believe there is never a time to kneel during the NA and protest what gave you the right to protest to start with, show me what your willing to do to help the situation. I you want to make a difference in your community as an NFL player someone will give you the platform to make that said difference.

bobby

@dawgwatch said:
I wonder how many of those that feel the need to kneel and protest have spent a dime of the millions of dollars they are making while kneeling and actually trying to make a difference in their hometown. While I believe there is never a time to kneel during the NA and protest what gave you the right to protest to start with, show me what your willing to do to help the situation. I you want to make a difference in your community as an NFL player someone will give you the platform to make that said difference.

And when they do....they get told to "shut up and dribble."

CharlestowneDawg

@UnderDog68 said:
My take is this:

1. You're on the job. Save the protests for your off-time. I'm not allowed to protest anything on my work time.

You are allowed. What your employer does about it is up to them. NFL teams have decided not to fire or punish a player for protesting (blackballing of Kap aside).

I will say that I have been impressed with the thoughtful and respectful responses here from both sides of the debate and in not allowing this to devolve into something awful.

BigDawgEatin

@pgjackson said:

@CharlestowneDawg said:
**As has been stated many times, the intent of the protest is not to disrespect our country's veterans. ** If one chooses to make it about that...then it is what it is. Players should be able to take a knee (knowing the inherent hiring/firing risks as NFL teams are private organizations) just as any of us can choose to watch or not watch. America!

Why are NFL players protesting during the national anthem? Malcolm Jenkins and Anquan Boldin explain the issues: https://t.co/GDY8dR9wh6 pic.twitter.com/Su4DDLF1yz

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 25, 2017

It doesn't matter what their "intent" is. It does offend veterans and a whole lot of other people as well. That's what matters. Taking a knee distracts from their original intent. Literally NOBODY is talking about the protest being about supposed police brutality. The only thing that has come of this is that it is an offense to the country and what the flag and anthem stands for. The players are too ignorant to realize that their protest isn't working. To be effective, they need to change their methods. And when the NFL as an organization allows it's employees to stage offensive protests in uniform, on company property on company time...well, then the NFL is complicit and supports the message. It's the same as if ALL the NFL is taking a knee. That's how I, and millions of others, see it.

It must be doing something, it’s got you taking the time out of your day, to call some young talent black men ignorant, for no apparent reason. You sir need to open your eyes and ears, maybe turn off Fox Mews for a while.

BigDawgEatin

@pgjackson said:

@SWARLES_BARKLEY said:

@pgjackson said:

Literally NOBODY is talking about the protest being about supposed police brutality. The only thing that has come of this is that it is an offense to the country and what the flag and anthem stands for.

100% evidence that you’re ignoring everything you disagree with. It was 100% about police brutality. Protest is about whatever the protesters say it’s about, by definition. If I stand on the street corner and protest animal cruelty, nobody gets to tell me I’m disrespecting the elderly because I’m doing it on bingo night. My protest is what I say it is.

Well, if you stand on a flag while protesting animal cruelty, then your protest will likely be interpreted as something other than what YOU want it to be about. For a protest to be effective, it need to be focused and detract from the original message. The fact that these players know that millions of veterans and others are highly offended by their conduct, and haven't adjusted their method of protest, leads me to believe it is about anti-America/veteran/patriot sentiment.

I wish people would quit using vets as a crutch. If you care so much, make sure that the homeless vets get shelter and the sick vets get the care they need. This is so trivial and racially slanted.

UnderDog68

@CharlestowneDawg said:

@UnderDog68 said:
My take is this:

1. You're on the job. Save the protests for your off-time. I'm not allowed to protest anything on my work time.

You are allowed. What your employer does about it is up to them. NFL teams have decided not to fire or punish a player for protesting (blackballing of Kap aside).

OK....Maybe I should have said that I am allowed to do what I think my career can stand. And then suffer whatever consequences that come around because of it.

BigDawgEatin

@JayDog said:
So, let me get this straight. People can do or say what they want so long as their "intent" is clearly stated? Doesn't matter if the word or action is offensive to others because the "intent" was not to offend? When I acted silly growing up, my mom would call me a "****". My sister still calls me that playful name. But if the word is applied to an African-American who acts silly, it is racist no matter the intent.

Don't tell us the action or word doesn't matter if the "intent" is not to offend. Kneeling during the anthem, regardless of intent, is offensive.

Killing unarmed black American citizens is also offensive. Downright disgusting!!! Wonder what would happen if y’all saw Chubb or Fields wrongly gunned down at the hands of the police, or brutilized to the point of paralysis or something. How would you feel be honest?

greshamdisco

The original point was made. At this stage, it is more about the players proving they can override the owners’ desires and grandstand. When are the 1% of the players satisfied with an accomplished goal? What’s the endgame? Is your method of protest helping or hurting your cause? If your protest has no strategy, it is just a power struggle and a players v owners thing now, nothing about a policeman or kid getting hit. Players: put your money where your mouth is - invest in poorer communities. Meanwhile, stand up and show respect to your customers.

BigDawgEatin

@greshamdisco said:
The original point was made. At this stage, it is more about the players proving they can override the owners’ desires and grandstand. When are the 1% of the players satisfied with an accomplished goal? What’s the endgame? Is your method of protest helping or hurting your cause? If your protest has no strategy, it is just a power struggle and a players v owners thing now, nothing about a policeman or kid getting hit. Players: put your money where your mouth is - invest in poorer communities. Meanwhile, stand up and show respect to your customers.

Fortunately you are not the customer, the advertisers are, as long as the don’t care, the NFL can give two shyts about your opinion. You guys care about disrespecting the flag sooooooo much, but don’t say a word about a President who blatantly disrespects and embarrasses the entire nation on a daily basis.

BigDawgEatin

Jerry Jones would even remove his hat for the anthem.

bobby

@greshamdisco said:

Players: put your money where your mouth is - invest in poorer communities.

and when they do, this is the reaction of our President.
"Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!"

Damned if you, damned if you don't.

AndersonDawg

I think if they truly were committed to protesting against police brutality or racial equality, they would be more effective and show their true commitment to the cause by refusing to play!

BigDawgEatin

@DawgBiscuit said:
Folks,

My family and friends know how much of a football fan I am. I really love the game and even aspired to play past high school, but that was denied due to my own doing (another story). Now the game I love and enjoy so much has become a disappointment. Last season, in 2017, I stopped watching all NFL games after the disregard for those "who fought, and died" for America and our freedoms.

Last night I decided to see if the disrespect to those to died for our freedoms would continue, and to me it got worse so I turned the channel. As long as the disrespect from the NFL and its players continues, I will not watch their games. However, I just might choose to watch the Dallas Cowboys because of Dak Prescott and the Jerry Jones' stand for America. The following letter from a retired Marine sez it all...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvFzwg59P_c

“I just might choose to watch the Dallas Cowboys because of Dak Prescott and the Jerry Jones' stand for America. “

Yeah but he won’t take his hat off!