The backstory--- Last year, San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick knelt down during the playing of our National Anthem. He did this to mount a social justice protest against police brutality. I have always maintained this is his constitutional right, but he should find a different way to protest. Later on in the season a few players joined him, but basically it became a non-issue. TV ratings dropped, but it was largely blamed on the 2016 Presidential election.
The situation changed over the weekend...
On Friday, President Trump had the AUDACITY (that's sarcasm) to suggest that team owners should fire any player who shows disrespect and kneels during the National Anthem. The NFL subsequently blew up! This past Sunday, more than 200 players knelt during the National Anthem to protest the President's remarks. There were even a few teams who stayed in the locker room during the anthem to protest. Strong opinions from both sides of this issue have been all over the news the last three days.
Here's my take: These players are Americans and have a first amendment right of free speech and peaceful protest. It is my firm belief that kneeling during the National Anthem is the wrong way to exercise these rights. Military men and women have fought, bled, and died to protect our freedoms as American citizens. Yes, even the right to make tens of millions of dollars playing a game. I have become disgusted with the disrespectful behavior of many NFL players, and I am joining the thousands of Americans swearing off the NFL until this changes. I know I'm not alone because TV ratings continue to drop, revenue is down by 200 million dollars, and people are cancelling their NFL Sunday Ticket TV packages. Some bars and restaurants are refusing to show NFL games. I have read of VFW posts no longer showing NFL games. There is a concerted effort to boycott the NFL and the companies that sponsor it. In short, the NFL is being hit in the wallet. It's the only language they understand. The commissioner of the NFL has come out in support of these disrespectful displays, and has thereby alienated a large portion of its fan base. I'm talking about your average Joe and Josephine in middle America. The heartland! People have had enough and they are tuning out! I am joining them. Goodbye NFL. I hope your liberal, disrespectful ways are worth it. Treating our flag like garbage is not going to be tolerated and keeping our money in our wallets will prove it!
I will say this to all NFL players: HAVE SOME RESPECT!
Here is a photo of Odell Beckham Jr. He is pretending to be a dog urinating on a fire hydrant. He has admitted this is in response to our President's remarks. Stay classy, Odell!
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