[dougaway]

This is my first post to the TOTV and it is about a subject that has irked me since it started with Colin Kaepernick. The part that always irked me the most was it was done during what I would call "work time" In all the years I worked I never worked anywhere that would allow me to "protest" while I was on the job and for the 31 years I spent in the military and as a government employ, that could never happen.
All that was needed would have been for the NFL or the player/players to pay for some time during the game like an advertisement and voice their solidarity or their opinion, not in defiance of the flag and the national anthem. Anyway I have not watched/supported an NFL anything and with the way their position is now I never will.
I could rant on and on, but I will save everyone that discomfort.
One last comment I will always stand for the American flag, I will always stand for the National Anthem, and lastly I will only kneel to my God.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

I can’t wait for the game to start tonight , for all others I guess there’s love island to watch . I’ll be in my Nike gear and eating and drinking whatever beer or pizza that the NFL is sponsoring and a big shoutout to Colin . You see I earned that right and have the Purple Hearts I got for it

I disagree with how you watch the game and such but you certainly have the right to do so.

And thank you for your service.

[browndw1]

Great idea. The protests do not belong on the field. The NFL used to have it right. Don’t allow any of it. If the players, coaches, or owners want to protest let them buy commercial time to protest.

[Antique lady]

Originally Posted by JGVillages

Some Folks Have Come to Despise the NFL...
For fans who follow the sport, most of this will be a simple reminder of things you already know. For the rest, it's a wake-up call:

In 2012 the NFL had an issue with Tim Tebow kneeling before each game to pray, they also had an issue with Tebow wearing John 3:16 as part of his eye-black to avoid glare, and made him take it off.

In 2013 the NFL fined Brandon Marshall for wearing green cleats to raise awareness for people with mental health disorders.

In 2014 Robert Griffin III (RG3) entered a post-game press conference wearing a shirt that said "Know Jesus Know Peace" but was forced to turn it inside out by an NFL uniform inspector before speaking at the podium.

In 2015 DeAngelo Williams was fined for wearing "Find the Cure "eye black for breast cancer awareness.

In 2015 William Gay was fined for wearing purple cleats to raise awareness for domestic violence. (Not that the NFL has a domestic violence problem..).

In 2016 the NFL prevented the Dallas Cowboys from wearing a decal on their helmet in honor of 5 Dallas Police officers killed in the line of duty.

2016 the NFL threatened to fine players who wanted to wear cleats to commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11.

So tell me again how the NFL supports free speech and expression. It seems quite clear based on these facts that the NFL has taken a position against any action by NFL players demonstrating RESPECT for any issue: For God, social causes such as mental health, cancer, domestic violence, for cops killed arbitrarily, for being cops, or for the Memory of 9/11...

BUT they will allow demonstrations of DISRESPECT for our National Flag, our National Anthem, for America, and for the American People, if it will help mollify a particular Group and its supporters. That is who and what the NFL now has shown itself to be.

That is eight years of a documented attitude by the NFL to America. Pass this post along to all your friends and family, if you believe it worthy of sharing. Honor our military; too many of whom have come home with the American Flag draped over their coffin.

I think this time the NFL granted permission to hold a moment of unity to demonstrate support for the players who look like the mainly unarmed people who are the majority of those being killed by law enforcement. Any one of the players of color, when not on the gridiron, could easily end up with a police officers knee on their neck or suffocated by a spit hood. Surely people understand the emotional toll it takes on the players, some of whom have had close encounters with law enforcement. Time to wake up the the reality that sadly not all citizens, even those who earn millions in pro sports, live unencumbered by biases... Love thy neighbor as thyself.....Please....

[Dana1963]

Originally Posted by Smilingfeelsgood

As did the Phila Eagles and two others. I served over-seas during Vietnam so these "bleepers" could disrespect our flag.

Then you really didn’t understand why you enlisted preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States including freedom of speech and religion.

[Dana1963]

Originally Posted by JGVillages

Some Folks Have Come to Despise the NFL...
For fans who follow the sport, most of this will be a simple reminder of things you already know. For the rest, it's a wake-up call:

In 2012 the NFL had an issue with Tim Tebow kneeling before each game to pray, they also had an issue with Tebow wearing John 3:16 as part of his eye-black to avoid glare, and made him take it off.

In 2013 the NFL fined Brandon Marshall for wearing green cleats to raise awareness for people with mental health disorders.

In 2014 Robert Griffin III (RG3) entered a post-game press conference wearing a shirt that said "Know Jesus Know Peace" but was forced to turn it inside out by an NFL uniform inspector before speaking at the podium.

In 2015 DeAngelo Williams was fined for wearing "Find the Cure "eye black for breast cancer awareness.

In 2015 William Gay was fined for wearing purple cleats to raise awareness for domestic violence. (Not that the NFL has a domestic violence problem..).

In 2016 the NFL prevented the Dallas Cowboys from wearing a decal on their helmet in honor of 5 Dallas Police officers killed in the line of duty.

2016 the NFL threatened to fine players who wanted to wear cleats to commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11.

So tell me again how the NFL supports free speech and expression. It seems quite clear based on these facts that the NFL has taken a position against any action by NFL players demonstrating RESPECT for any issue: For God, social causes such as mental health, cancer, domestic violence, for cops killed arbitrarily, for being cops, or for the Memory of 9/11...

BUT they will allow demonstrations of DISRESPECT for our National Flag, our National Anthem, for America, and for the American People, if it will help mollify a particular Group and its supporters. That is who and what the NFL now has shown itself to be.

That is eight years of a documented attitude by the NFL to America. Pass this post along to all your friends and family, if you believe it worthy of sharing. Honor our military; too many of whom have come home with the American Flag draped over their coffin.

I would say you may have accepted protest from 2012 to 2016 would have been acceptable by player’s but in 2017 Colin appearance and saw what happened in the past acted not by destroying, burning or violence but first sat then kneeled. Sometimes you need to fight for what you believe in right or wrong.
If only Tebow fought for his principles in 2012 we might not be having this conversation.

[Ramone]

I agree, no more NFL for me.

[bobnyce]

I do not care what the NFL does! They are nothing but pure jerks including the players who denigrate our flag and national anthem all the while collecting their fat salaries for being great athletes - a gift from God! In my mind America was a gift from God to the people of the world. If it is as bad as all the critics say, why do we have so many foreigners, legal and illegal trying to get in while trying to escape where they came from? It is very similar to the those fleeing high taxes and bankrupt states to come to Florida so they can cause high taxes and demand services so they can bring their bankrupt ideology here! I give up where will it end and common sense prevail? I refuse to watch all professional sports except golf! My two cents.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by mrrmauu

Do you feel the same about the “peaceful” protesters outside the hospital in LA?

I support people’s first amendment rights to express their opinion as long as they do it peacefully and lawfully. I presume that is your stance as well.

[mrrmauu]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

I support people’s first amendment rights to express their opinion as long as they do it peacefully and lawfully. I presume that is your stance as well.

I’m with you 100% but I haven’t seen many peaceful and lawful protests lately. I wonder why it is so difficult for some folks, including those that want to run this country, to condemn the awful behavior we are seeing on a daily basis? Silence implies support.

[Dana1963]

Originally Posted by JGVillages

Thanks for your service and yes your opinion counts as all ours do. Food for thought; Please check out where and who makes your Nike Gear. They work in deplorable and brutal conditions for at best a few dollars an hour so Nike can pay millions to athletes that turn a blind eye. No Nike and Marxist endorsed BLM pro sports for me, but that’s just my opinion. I do endorse social justice reform, just not the organization’s polices and it’s acceptance of violence.

As does every manufacture making products in SE Asia.
Remember China didn’t take jobs from the US ALL CORPORATIONS WILLING WENT THERE FOR CHEAP LABOR.

[jklfairwin]

Sorry but you are wrong about current protests. No one is disrespecting the flag, the national antrhem or the American people. They are honoring all 3 by trying to make a better America.

[mrrmauu]

A lot of sports fans appear to be suffering from some version of the Stockholm Syndrome.

[Art cov]

Originally Posted by mrrmauu

I’m with you 100% but I haven’t seen many peaceful and lawful protests lately. I wonder why it is so difficult for some folks, including those that want to run this country, to condemn the awful behavior we are seeing on a daily basis? Silence implies support.

We sure wouldn’t believe in the protests if they were in the villages! I noticed some mayors and officials were for the protest until the demonstrations were at their front doors

[Jeremiah Riordan]

Originally Posted by bobm3

Kneeling is a greater sign of respect than standing. Let them kneel. I don't care. They're not hurting anyone. There are important things to worry about. I have allegiance to my country, not to a piece of cloth.

Re-read the words of the Pledge of Allegiance: "...to the flag, and to the nation for which it stands..." Standing is only acceptable way (if able) to show respect for the National Anthem. These are "important things."