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- 3/17/19 UPDATE -- We've updated the permissions for our "Football" and "Commit to the G" recruiting message boards. We aim to be the best free board out there and that has not changed. We do now ask that all of you good people register as a member of our forum in order to see the sugar that is falling from our skies, so to speak.
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Seriously? There is a protocol that is expected to be observed in the presence of the flag and when the national Anthem is played. It is incredibly offensive to intentionally ignore basic protocol. You stand for the anthem. Always. It's simple. Taking a knee is the exact opposite. It's worse than a refusal to stand. Here's an excerpt of the US Flag Code. Some of us take this VERY seriously. If you don't think taking a knee is offensive, well, I don't know what else to say.
US Flag Code:
§171. Conduct during playing
During 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. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When 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.
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.
The NFL changed the rule so the players had to be out on the field for the anthem because they knew showing patriotism was good for business. It has not been the rule that long.
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.
We fight for freedom, it's not freedom to demand others believe as you do.
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.
I learned a lesson from the gay rights movement in the 1990s through Bush's presidency. I thought it was counter productive to demand the ability to legally get married. It DID cause huge pushback but ultimately it brought about attention and advanced their cause more quickly than if they'd asked for less.
My take is this:
And i still have the freedom to call them out for their misguided protest, correct?
oh oh. Here's that snowflake reference again. Glad I know what it means now.
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.
Calling them out is not the same as demanding they behave as you'd prefer they do.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.