The NFL
 

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.

Yet, the NFL is showing a promotional ad today that says, "Football is a Microcosm of America".

Who agrees with that statement? I don't.

Today, the Packers stayed in the locker room when they played the National Anthem. Disgusting.

I love to watch football. I will not watch the NFL (again) this year. I could possibly ignore the signs of protest - though I think most are, at the least, misinformed. I cannot, and will not, ignore signs of disrespect during the nation anthem.

Haven’t watched NFL games for a few years now,
and can’t say I miss them!

Go Chiefs!

They do like to pander but if ratings down a bunch they might sing a different tune

The original poster’s comments is a sad commentary on how things have changed.

Nfl
 

We are watching the NFL today and will continue to. Much more exciting then golf or tennis.

Very well said!!

In the past watched 60 games a year None yet this year! It’s turned into a circus the announcers are a turn off too. Some are good but we need Cosell, Meredith, Gifford. Lol

Well, no game I saw today was as exciting as the men's US Open tennis final--a real fight to the finish.

But I will be watching pro football this year, and every year. I like the sport.

Go Steelers.

Never liked Cosell as commentator. Hated the Jets and would go on and on and on disparaging them rarely talking about the game.

The other two did a nice job. Best announcer ever was the fellow who was head coach and than worked as color commentator. Cant think of his name at the moment

john madden. Afraid to fly. Cris crossed usa in trains

Time to chill out. Go Steelers!!!

And take Goodell with you.

Go Washington. For those that won’t watch football you have that right being an American. Who cares if you don’t watch football. Go get a drink or something because no one really cares you aren’t watching.

I really do not care that you complain about the NFL. You are giving them the attention they seek with their Peaceful form of demonstration. It is time for everyone to accept the constitutional right to demonstrate. Get over it and do something good with your life instead of complaining.

We are. We turned the TV off. Useful enough for you?

No respect means no viewership for me and many others.

This multi tour combat wounded paratrooper had a wonderful day watching football . You see I fought and many friends died for the right of others to live there life free to make any peaceful choices they choose .

For all those saying go Steelers, go Chiefs, go Washington, maybe it’s time to reflect a little. I love football but have not watched them for two years now. It is funny the NFL shut down all those players who were trying to do some good but have caved in to a bunch of people who disrespect our flag and what it stands for. Yes they have a right to protest but so do I. If everyone who loves football would turn off their TV’s for one or two seasons the players, coaches and the wonderful commissioner would change course quickly as the people who pay their salaries would stop sponsoring them. So maybe if you could forgo your instant gratification and sacrifice just a little the NFL and this country might be a little better off.

I am right there with you Coach...GO CHIEFS!

All examples of free speech protected under the first amendment of the constitution.

They’re finally correcting what have been mistakes all along. Let people have their say - you can either listen to or ignore it. That’s our choice.

Choosing to watch football is also our own individual choice. I’m not offended either way - we all have the right to protest. Just keep it peaceful which is what they seem to be doing.

Let's protest by putting a list of sponsors out there and NOT BUY their products. Since I do not watch Help is needed in getting that list. We all know it's all about money!

Time to stand for something - not complacency.
Maybe try our National Anthem.

Players actions are misguided - obviously didn't learn common sense in college.

wish more posters had clear understanding of the 1st amendment,,, support of players or sport is irrelevant,,, if 1 does not recognize these actions do not pertain to the 1st amendment, its either ignorance or stupidity,,, at the probably age of some posters, the former's not likely,,, its a work-to-contract rules issue
haven't watched in years - interested in the sponsor list - opening nite was down 11% in viewership - sponsors WILL note that & negotiate lower ad rates,,, less income = lower salaries,,, lower salaries = upset wives

The only thing that matters is the almightly dollar - If viewership falls far enough the advertisers will complain - revenue will fall. Then you will see how much these leagues care about issues. Unfortunately with the virus keeping a lot of people trapped indoors the ratings will probably be ok as people watch sports on the box. So I don't see any change for at least a year.

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.

Amen.

I'm not a fan of people using their professional venue to protest anything, but it sure won't prevent me from watching sports that I enjoy. Just turn on the TV after the anthem if you're so disturbed. Can't see you denying yourself sports as a useful way to show your discontent with the protestors.

Things change and ideas about what is appropriate/inappropriate evolve. Finally, the NFL has recognized that the players have lives and ideas outside of football. Get with the times - all or almost all of those causes could be advocated by NFL players today.

All but one Dallas Cowboy stood for the Anthem last night. I was happy about that, but if I owned the team, that one player would be looking for a job today!

There are many different ways of showing respect. Just because someone shows it differently than you, doesn’t mean they aren’t showing respect.

No pro sports for me...and now no college.....followed OU football for 55 plus years...the combination of the idiotic lack of patriotism and LACK of unity along with the indoctrination campaign by the universities have completely turned me off to any and all activities by them...time is too precious to waste on idiots who only think of themselves.

The NFL is a joke. I stopped watching football on Sunday’s years ago after my divorce.
I learned there are a million other activities I would rather do on a beautiful Sunday afternoon then spend several hours watching stupid commercials and a bunch of overrated, overhyped and overpaid street thugs.

People have been shutting off their TV’s since Kapernick knelt in 2017 why not just say another 4 seasons. Yet Fantasy FB is thriving. I don’t care what you do and you could not care what others do.

You all realize ALL the fines collected on the OP’s list go to CHARITABLE CAUSES . Players know that, proceed anyway and sometimes match the donation.

The NFL does not keep the money.

Also, since 2015 they are allowed to wear “charity related” cleats and can auction those cleats to generate donations to charities they support.

I Am not thrilled with what’s happening pre game either, but after doing some reading it’s clear all the facts Pertinent To this thread Were not presented.

Thank you for your service. Totally agree with your post

They are disgusting. Why should we watch a bunch of spoiled America haters playing a child’s game? NFL go to hell!