To anyone upset about the NFL protests...

[Armoured]

I'm genuinely curious to know what sort of protest by high profile athletes WOULD be acceptable? What could they or would they need to do to get you to discuss their issue, without going off on a tangent about disrespting flags or service personnel or whatever?

 

[Halbhh]

During some moments, like during a game, free speech stunts can seem or be not doing your job.

But during the national anthem, which is about America itself and about freedom -- "the land of the free" --
...during the anthem, hardly anything is more American than free speech.

 

[CoolDude68]

Call their congressman? lol Athletes get paid a lot of money to play a sport and they should not be abusing that privilege as a front for their political views. I don't go to my place of employment and stand in front of the building or use their social media account and voice my views. I'd be fired on the spot. Same should apply to athletes.

If they want to express their political views, then create a YouTube channel or something. That's fine. But if you're getting paid as an employee that should not be the time, nor place to express it. I blame the NFL for condoning that behavior.

 

[Armoured]

Call their congressman? lol Athletes get paid a lot of money to play a sport and they should not be abusing that privilege as a front for their political views. I don't go to my place of employment and stand in front of the building or use their social media account and voice my views. I'd be fired on the spot. Same should apply to athletes.

If they want to express their political views, then create a YouTube channel or something. That's fine. But if you're getting paid as an employee that should not be the time, nor place to express it. I blame the NFL for condoning that behavior.

Isn't that for their employers to decide? I wonder if you hold politicians to similar standards?

 

[Halbhh]

Call their congressman? lol Athletes get paid a lot of money to play a sport and they should not be abusing that privilege as a front for their political views. I don't go to my place of employment and stand in front of the building or use their social media account and voice my views. I'd be fired on the spot. Same should apply to athletes.

If they want to express their political views, then create a YouTube channel or something. That's fine. But if you're getting paid as an employee that should not be the time, nor place to express it. I blame the NFL for condoning that behavior.

ah, but during the national anthem, I'd allow you more freedom than at other moments if I was your employer, because I respect the idea of American freedom, and it's an "American" moment, the anthem. See, many NFL owners seems to have an attitude just like this I've described. In other words, it's a special separate moment, unconnected to employment, etc., for some of us. I can have a job, but during the anthem, it's like a time out.

 

[AirPo]

Call their congressman? lol Athletes get paid a lot of money to play a sport and they should not be abusing that privilege as a front for their political views. I don't go to my place of employment and stand in front of the building or use their social media account and voice my views. I'd be fired on the spot. Same should apply to athletes.

If they want to express their political views, then create a YouTube channel or something. That's fine. But if you're getting paid as an employee that should not be the time, nor place to express it. I blame the NFL for condoning that behavior.

I doubt standing for the National Anthem is one of your job requirements. Also, the NFL forces players to participate in other social issues, such as breast cancer awareness. So I think the players have every right to decide for themselves what issues they would like to bring attention to.

 

[CoolDude68]

I doubt standing for the National Anthem is one of your job requirements. Also, the NFL forces players to participate in other social issues, such as breast cancer awareness. So I think the players have every right to decide for themselves what issues they would like to bring attention to.

Yep, and one of the reasons the NFL is getting ridiculous to me. Just play the game please. I find myself enjoying college football more and more. The NFL has become one giant dog and pony show which to me, takes away from the pure enjoyment of the sport.

 

[Goonie]

Looking at this from across the pond, I find the idea of national anthems and saluting the Flag etc before domestic games just plain weird. It speaks of more of national insecurity than anything else.

 

[Rion]

I don't particularly care, but I imagine the hypocrisy of them punishing players who celebrated too much for touch downs like dancing a moment or even kneeling and praying probably irks people.

Looking at this from across the pond, I find the idea of national anthems and saluting the Flag etc before domestic games just plain weird. It speaks of more of national insecurity than anything else.

Eh, every country has its quirks. We have national anthems and saluting the flag, you guys have your Orwellian laws regarding free speech.

 

[Ringo84]

Probably something like this (credit to Matt Bors):

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=d40a43bca6ee563a94fd0f9fc468a4e5&oe=5A81075D
Ringo

 

[SummerMadness]

I love the use of the word privilege to describe athletes, like these people are not extremely, talented and hard working. Like these people are not the revenue generators for their industry. Privilege is a curious phrase.

 

[Goonie]

I don't particularly care, but I imagine the hypocrisy of them punishing players who celebrated too much for touch downs like dancing a moment or even kneeling and praying probably irks people.



Eh, every country has its quirks. We have national anthems and saluting the flag, you guys have your Orwellian laws regarding free speech.

I could not possibly comment...I mean that not possibly comment(looks nervously behind him)

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

I don't particularly care, but I imagine the hypocrisy of them punishing players who celebrated too much for touch downs like dancing a moment or even kneeling and praying probably irks people.



Eh, every country has its quirks. We have national anthems and saluting the flag, you guys have your Orwellian laws regarding free speech.

I never heard of anyone getting In trouble for kneeling to pray. I have no problem with that. Even though I assume Tebow did to get media attention. I never heard about him getting into trouble over it.

 

[variant]

I never heard of anyone getting In trouble for kneeling to pray. I have no problem with that. Even though I assume Tebow did to get media attention. I never heard about him getting into trouble over it.

Tebow to my knoledge was never in trouble for praying. He was criticized though.

We could probably get some Jahovas witnesses in the NFL and see what happens since they are the best of both worlds.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

Call their congressman? lol Athletes get paid a lot of money to play a sport and they should not be abusing that privilege as a front for their political views. I don't go to my place of employment and stand in front of the building or use their social media account and voice my views. I'd be fired on the spot. Same should apply to athletes.

If they want to express their political views, then create a YouTube channel or something. That's fine. But if you're getting paid as an employee that should not be the time, nor place to express it. I blame the NFL for condoning that behavior.

But you're not force to do the National Anthem against your will. Knowing all along .The bad things that are allowed to happen to your people.

 

[Soyeong]

I'm genuinely curious to know what sort of protest by high profile athletes WOULD be acceptable? What could they or would they need to do to get you to discuss their issue, without going off on a tangent about disrespting flags or service personnel or whatever?

There are many ways to protest, none of which require starting to protest when the anthem starts and stopping protest when it finishes. They could even protest specific acts of racism by kneeling every time they scored a touchdown and the vast majority of Americans would be in full support of that. Another good way for them to protest would be to wear decals, but there have been prior rulings against players doing that to support the victims of 9/11 or to support the five cops who were murdered in Dallas, so ultimately players must abide by the code of conduct that they signed and don't have the right to protest unless their team owners are ok with it. The First Amendment only prohibits government interference, but does not prohibit private businesses from limiting our speech. However, players are still able to protest on their own time, and are welcome to do so, or they could even do something that would be helpful towards their cause if they so choose.

 

[szechuan]

There are many ways to protest, none of which require starting to protest when the anthem starts and stopping protest when it finishes. They could even protest specific acts of racism by kneeling every time they scored a touchdown and the vast majority of Americans would be in full support of that. Another good way for them to protest would be to wear decals, but there have been prior rulings against players doing that to support the victims of 9/11 or to support the five cops who were murdered in Dallas, so ultimately players must abide by the code of conduct that they signed and don't have the right to protest unless their team owners are ok with it. The First Amendment only prohibits government interference, but does not prohibit private businesses from limiting our speech. However, players are still able to protest on their own time, and are welcome to do so, or they could even do something that would be helpful towards their cause if they so choose.

loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

 

[W2L]

There are many ways to protest, none of which require starting to protest when the anthem starts and stopping protest when it finishes. They could even protest specific acts of racism by kneeling every time they scored a touchdown and the vast majority of Americans would be in full support of that. Another good way for them to protest would be to wear decals, but there have been prior rulings against players doing that to support the victims of 9/11 or to support the five cops who were murdered in Dallas, so ultimately players must abide by the code of conduct that they signed and don't have the right to protest unless their team owners are ok with it. The First Amendment only prohibits government interference, but does not prohibit private businesses from limiting our speech. However, players are still able to protest on their own time, and are welcome to do so, or they could even do something that would be helpful towards their cause if they so choose.

sounds very reasonable.

 

[HannahT]

I'm genuinely curious to know what sort of protest by high profile athletes WOULD be acceptable? What could they or would they need to do to get you to discuss their issue, without going off on a tangent about disrespting flags or service personnel or whatever?

(snickers) I'm sorry, but are you saying they lack creativity? That this stand is the only thing available, and they can't find anything else? I doubt that very much. We live in a country with highly creative people, and I doubt only the football players lack that skill. I mean come on now. They are excellent at their skill, and it isn't the only one they have!

People knelt because they knew it would cause an uproar. I realize it started with some dude last year, and I'm speaking more recently. They wanted to use the uproar to tell people about their cause, and to call out the President. Human Nature doesn't open ears widely when you go out of your way to offend them. They were more offended at the Anthem part compared to the Trump part, although you wonder why people never figured that out.

Who do you think is going to listen that aren't hearing you already? I never understood WHY people felt this was an effective way to attract others to listen. People are talking YES, but not in ways that will help. So, is getting offended at that obvious result going to make it any better? Nope. It never made any sense to me. You just have two groups that are offended now. Now, no one is listening.

One side is upset, because to many won't applaud them for their bravery towards the cause. The other side is offended, because they see the in your face purposeful disrespect. Wow. Goal accomplished!

Athletes have platforms that others don't. Why do people deny this? lol this acting surprised that people are upset over this is just plain crazy making. Putting your hand over your heart during the National Anthem always meant something, and pretending you can change it just because you can't think of better way to get a message across? Good luck with that. Athletes - if they were serious about it - are creative enough to get their message across without tearing pieces out of the league. They are JUST that capable.

Athletes have always found ways before to make their causes known. I think they all should personally. We all believe in something strongly, because we are human. They need to take their position seriously, and get their cause out there so people are aware. Ticking people off doesn't do that. I'm not sure WHY people think it would.

People chant all the time that WORDS matter. Did they forget that actions do as well? This whole thing is baffling to me.

 

[High Fidelity]

I love the use of the word privilege to describe athletes, like these people are not extremely, talented and hard working. Like these people are not the revenue generators for their industry. Privilege is a curious phrase.

Especially when most of those critics are probably staunch supporters of a particular person who started with nothing but a 'small' loan of a million dollars.