[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by coalminer

A. Real man, a good man, will take responsibility and apologize for his mistakes. That's what Brees did. Very refreshing.

Exactly.

I think it's a real tragedy and a huge stain on this country that so many refuse to understand, or don't have the spine to follow...this basic principle of decency.


.

[Viperguy]

This is why I stopped watching NFL.

[michtofla]

If you take a knee during the National Anthem you surely don’t respect the flag or all the men who died for this country. Shame on you!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by michtofla

If you take a knee during the National Anthem you surely don’t respect the flag or all the men who died for this country. Shame on you!

exactly

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by michtofla

If you take a knee during the National Anthem you surely don’t respect the flag or all the men who died for this country. Shame on you!

Which also applies to all those who sit in their easy chair drinking a beer, when the anthem and flag...are shown on television?

Consistency, is the mortal enemy of...hypocrisy.

[La lamy]

This is not directly regarding Brees' comments, but I think Kaepernick, and every oppressed person, has a right to protest, just not at their workplace. Sports should be free of politics as far as I'm concerned.

[USA2170]

I completely agree with you, NFL damage control was in complete control with his so called apology.....just covered his ass

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by La lamy

This is not directly regarding Brees' comments, but I think Kaepernick, and every oppressed person, has a right to protest, just not at their workplace. Sports should be free of politics as far as I'm concerned.

Does that include politicians...who attack the athletes?

Or do you feel this should be a one-way street and the athletes (or other celebrities)...just don't get to speak out?

[Byte1]

The left believes that Drew apologized because he "saw the error of is statement." Sorry if I am not so easily convinced. I accept his apology, but I also suspect he still believes what he originally stated and just had to apologize for the sake of his career and pressure that was put on him for being honest. I agree with what he said originally, even though he is just another voice along with many others. His being an athlete and making a statement goes a long way in the media, but he is still just one voice. I respect both his first statement and the fact that he was forced to make an apology.
CK is an opportunist, using his color to further his career that was sagging and in jeopardy of his being cut loose. He was being benched and he didn't like it. He saw an opportunity to use/USE a racial divide in this country for his own benefit. I know some will/want to disagree with his motives, but if you follow his actions closely you will see it proved out. If one wishes to express their belief that the police are racially biased and that minorities are down trodden by law enforcement, there are many better ways to express this without dividing and insulting many Americans. The National Anthem and the Flag is not a means to gather support, other than those that enjoy radical animosity and the opportunity to become militant with any controversial excuse. Although I believe that sports should not be political, if one wishes to express his/her opinion or support for an issue, they could wear attire (if allowed) expressing their view, or they could take their knee if when there is a goal made, etc. Flaunting their disrespect for patriotism does not garner the support of veterans or those that have lost family or friends during their service to their country. Liberals enjoy twisting the circumstances and also like to use rationalization and justification such as "well some folks wear flags on their clothes" and " do you stand for the National Anthem at home?" What's the expression, straw man?
My view of this matter is not racist, it's patriotic. I am just as disturbed by white athletes taking a knee as I am CK. In my opinion, it is disrespectful to our country AND to all those that have served. I am a strong believer in law enforcement and honor them when ever possible. There are a few bad folks in EVERY occupation. Athletes that bet for or against their team or shave points, crooked doctors, crooked politicians that take bribes, military members that use excessive force on civilians, Inside stock market trading, etc. This was a selfish, elitist athlete that saw his career coming to an end and desperately used what he knew was the "race card" to ensure that he would not be either benched, traded or just cut loose.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and this is mine. Drew had to apologize for his career; I don't. In my opinion, President Trump should not have stated his opinion in public because he just gave credence to CK's behavior. If he would have ignored it, then we would not be having this conversation today. CK would be less than a memory to most folks. CK who?
Athletes should shut up and just play the game and everyone will be happier. Some undo the fruits of their position by delving into political statements and movements.

[Miguel 1952]

Originally Posted by michtofla

If you take a knee during the National Anthem you surely don’t respect the flag or all the men who died for this country. Shame on you!

If you can't respect the flag, National Anthem, our conversation can't even start. Period! 🇺🇸

[Swoop]

Drew is no rookie. He was in the league when Kap took a knee This isn’t something new to him that he hadn’t been exposed to. He didn’t blurt out his response, it was well thought out. So when he was attacked by the media for not supporting their false narrative of disproportionate police brutality against blacks - he gave them what they wanted to hear.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

Which also applies to all those who sit in their easy chair drinking a beer, when the anthem and flag...are shown on television?

Consistency, is the mortal enemy of...hypocrisy.

No, it doesn't. Did you or any in support of his taking a knee also "take a knee" at home every time you saw him take a knee every time it was shown on tv? I doubt it. It is silly to think you/they would. It would demonstrate nothing.
It is also, imho, a mistake to think that everyone who feels that taking a knee was inappropriate at that time and place does not agree that there is racial bias in our country.
I, for one, understand him wanting to make a statement that racial bias is a problem, it is, but I believe using a form believed to show disrespect for, in this case, flag and country and all those of all races who served, fought and died for this country did more harm than good.
Many people, all on the same in this issue, had many different interpretations of what they saw. His intended message was lost. And rather than bring people together, it divided them.

[LG999]

Is the anthem being played at a football game the best place to express a personal feeling/opinion?

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by LG999

Is the anthem being played at a football game the best place to express a personal feeling/opinion?

NO!

But it is where the cameras are!!

[stan the man]

Stop playing the National Anthem at all sporting events except the Olympics where you are representing your country