First Amendment / NFL Issue

[JGVillages]

First and foremost I support First Amendment rights. In this case Collin K had every right to speak his mind but I have two major issues with his delivery and the other players that now follow. First I believe the point he and other NFL players are attempting to protest is misdirected at our Flag and National Anthem, not whatever political or racial point they are trying to make. Secondly I currently pay DirecTv $$$$ for the NFL package, and enhanced sports package that gets me the NFL channel, ESPN, and other sports channels. I pay to watch, and periodically attend the game. I do not and will not pay to watch the extremely wealthy participants First Amendment views on any issue they choose. Many stadiums receive government subsidies which come from our tax dollars. If these protesters want to call a news conference outside their mansions, rent a hall, or purchase network time dedicated to their specific issues, then go for it, but they don’t dare do it when I am watching and contributing to the millions they are making. I will :boxing2::boxing2: for my right to direct my limited entertainment dollars elsewhere. By the way, I pleasantly watched 10+ hours of golf this last weekend with zero first amendment political or racial issue addressed.

[Butterfly201]

I am not a sports person. I had major disagreement over the monthly cost of watching tv -- the very minimum cost I could get -- and cut the cord beginning today.
However after watching the news reports of all these NFL games with teams not acknowledging our flag by staying in a locker room !!! or showing no respect by "taking a knee" -- especially the team that did that in the U K --
I am ecstatic that I will not longer have to watch it on the news, hear it from the nightly tv hosts, etc.
They have had enough ??? I have had enough. They have a right -- I have a right. And I say you should respect the flag and our anthem every time. Take history lessons to learn why.
You want to dissent-- find another way. Do not show dissent to our flag and anthem. We love our country! You should too! :boxing2::boxing2::boxing2:

[Jayhawk]

The 1st amendment applies only to government impeding speech. not employers. It is a crock of **** to refer to what the NFL players are doing as free speech.

[pauld315]

I love the first amendment protections but I didn't have those at my workplace for all the years I worked.

[petsetc]

This is NOT a 1st Amendment issue. The employer has the right to dictate behavior so long as their requests are do not violate any law(s). That is, they can require players to stand and be silent during the national anthem, and if they fail to comply, the employer has the right to take action, subject to any contractual arrangements he may have entered into.

With that being said, POTUS has much more important issues that he should be dealing with rather than stirring this pot.

I have friends that still have concerns about DWB (Driving While Black) - when will we move beyond this hatred?

[Taltarzac725]

This is NOT a 1st Amendment issue. The employer has the right to dictate behavior so long as their requests are do not violate any law(s). That is, they can require players to stand and be silent during the national anthem, and if they fail to comply, the employer has the right to take action, subject to any contractual arrangements he may have entered into.

With that being said, POTUS has much more important issues that he should be dealing with rather than stirring this pot.

I have friends that still have concerns about DWB (Driving While Black) - when will we move beyond this hatred?

Puerto Rico, North Korea, Health Care come to mind.

If the government is trying to influence employers then I would assume that any good lawyer could make an argument that the government is involved and that the First Amendment right to free speech applies.

[Pearson14505]

Bring back the draft and maybe they will have different views!

[Topspinmo]

The 1st amendment applies only to government impeding speech. not employers. It is a crock of **** to refer to what the NFL players are doing as free speech.:bigbow:

[Topspinmo]

Puerto Rico, North Korea, Health Care come to mind.

If the government is trying to influence employers then I would assume that any good lawyer could make an argument that the government is involved and that the First Amendment right to free speech applies.


Good lawyer, that's oxymoron

[Topspinmo]

Bring back the draft and maybe they will have different views!:bigbow:

[Barefoot]

The 1st amendment applies only to government impeding speech. not employers. It is a crock of **** to refer to what the NFL players are doing as free speech.
Yep - a real crock. :ohdear:

[rubicon]

And because of identity politics another good thing in America bites the dust.

with Direct TV, Comcast, etc its referred to as their Sports and Entertainment package. As a paid viewer I am not entertained when a sports evident or movie misses its mark by sending me their brand of a political message.
I like my fictional characters to be non-political thank you.

As a side bar ESPN is owned by Disney. if you have been watching Disney has made a complete metamorphosis from family to x-rated adult and too political. Walt Disney must be turning in his grave

Personal Best Regards:

[simpilot]

Forget the first amendment. Section 11 of the NFL standard player contract provides that “if Player has engaged in personal conduct reasonably judged by Club to adversely affect or reflect on Club, then Club may terminate this contract.” I think that covers the situation quite well.

[rubicon]

The underlying issue here, is the fact that too many citizens do not have an understanding of civics, of government of the US Constitution because it is no longer taught.

So what people do is invent rights as they go along in life

the first time I said to my Dad "Its not fair", he furrowed his brow and said "look at your birth certificate and tell me where it says you are guaranteed fairness in life."

Personal Best Regards:

[fw102807]

We'll see how committed to their cause they are when they start losing money.

[collie1228]

Selfish, pampered millionaires disrespecting the flag over identity politics makes my blood boil. I have always been very proud of the fact that I enlisted and served my country in Vietnam, and I love this country and the ideals that it stands for. I do not support anyone who disrespects the flag as these idiots are doing. Don't they realize that Al Qaeda and ISIS are loving every minute of this? I'm done with the NFL until this nonsense passes. I guess my short-term solution would be to stop playing the anthem at professional sports games.

[Chi33]

I can multi-task.... I think the POTUS can to. So, I think he can handle all the issues.

[bluedivergirl]

The 1st amendment applies only to government impeding speech. not employers. It is a crock of **** to refer to what the NFL players are doing as free speech.

Yes! when I was working, I always had in the back of my mind that I represented my employer while I was being paid.

The whole thing baffles me. They don't like Trump? Is Trump the American flag? Is Trump the Star Spangled Banner?


They want to protest racial inequality? Go to the schools, show kids on the edge that you can make it. Be a role model. Inspire them. Maybe even fund a program for smart kids who have no inspiration.

[fw102807]

They are not winning any support for their cause, they are just inciting more hatred.