Boycotting the NFL

[Airship Ariadne]

Also - to people who are talking about keeping opinions out of the workplace... do you think the NFL was wrong for supporting breast cancer and wearing pink? What about the Seahawks who wore "MP" decals on their helmets to recognize the recent school shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High? I'm genuinely curious - is it an all or nothing thing, or are there certain statements that are ok?

It doesn't impact the game in any way, so I don't see why it matters, either way. If players wanted to wear things supporting police, good for them.

Well, they will see those as different because they agree with the message...though I suppose I am making an assumption...wouldn't be too far-fetched to think that someone that approves of excessive force by police officers to also be pro-breast cancer.

 

[scoutie]

Dante Stallworth killed a man while drinking and driving.
Ray Lewis's bodyguards killed someone in a club.
Michael Vick was involved in a dogfighting ring.
Lawrence Taylor hired an underage prostitute.
Adrian Peterson whipped his son bloody.
Ray Rice punched his fiancee unconscious.
Dez Bryant hit his mother.
Brett Favre sexually harassed a female journalist.
Ben Roethlesberger may have raped several women.
O. J. Simpson probably killed his wife.

Yet protesting the death of black men by the hands of police is the straw that broke your back.

OK.

That's exactly what I was thinking.


Personally, I think the NFL as a whole business is ridiculous. I'd love to see it go under. It won't. Ever.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

For the Mike Brown "free speech", they are making the statement that hitting a cop is okay. And perpetuated the myth that he was in active surrender.

I am less bothered by the "I can't breathe protest", though I was reminded that in first aid/CPR training--if the victim can talk, they can breathe. Regardless, he felt in distress and ended up being so. Surely there is a procedure in how to deal with that.

I do think the players look ridiculous especially with the "hands up" nonsense.

If you were told that in any sort of CPR or first aid training, you were told wrongly. It is a myth that if a person can talk, they can breathe. And it always burns me when anyone utters that phrase because that myth can lead to an easily preventable death. Cops used to say that to try and catch the fakers. But somewhere along the line, they started to believe it. And this is a problem.

 

[sam_gordon]

Any company can decide what statements (whether controversial or political) it's employees can make (as long as the statements aren't illegal).

So a company can decide all employees will wear pink on a certain day to "fight breast cancer", but no one can wear "vote for 'x' candidate" pins/clothing on election day.

Customers of a company can decide whether to give money to a company for any reason they want. It's no different than people boycotting Chick-Fil-A because they don't like a policy. IIRC, people around here had no problem with that boycott. Why is rickybobby's boycott "wrong"?

Do I think the NFL will notice he's boycotting? No. But if he wants to get more people to join him, why not suggest it here?

 

[Oreo Cookie]

If the OP wants to boycott the NFL, then go right ahead and do it. It is your right to do so.

I support the players expressing their views.

Players have the same rights as other citizens. Players should be able to protest things that affect them, their families, and their community.

It’s unreasonable to expect players to play on and act as if nothing is happening in the real world. The game isn't bigger or more important than life.

For athletes, expected to be role models, to turn a blind eye to a perceived injustice is even worse.

Long before and long after they wear an NFL uniform, pro athletes are American citizens.

Sadly, the reason bad things continue to happen is because good people don't speak out against injustice.

To Bush's credit, he made his feelings known on Twitter last month after Ferguson cop Darren Wilson was not indicted by a grand jury after killing an unarmed black teen, Michael Brown.

Clearly, Bush has the courage of his conviction and is committed to his people and community. That's refreshing, to say the least.

A week ago, St. Louis Rams players entered the arena with their hands raised during pregame introductions. The gesture was to signify their hands up and for cops not to shoot.

"I just think there has to be a change," said Rams tight end Jared Cook, who took part in the protest. "There has to be a change that starts with the people that are most influential around the world.

"No matter what happened on that day, no matter how the whole situation went down, there has to be a change."

The NFL didn't fine the players. It was a smart move, especially since the NFL has been involved in political situations before.

The NFL moved the 1993 Super Bowl after Arizona failed to approve the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

"I don't believe playing Super Bowl XXVII in Arizona is in the best interest of the NFL," commissioner Paul Tagliabue said at that time.

It was only after the holiday was approved in 1992 that Arizona started hosting Super Bowls again, starting in 1996.

Just a few days ago, Magic Johnson said this generation's superstars should be more socially active.

"They have to get involved socially," Magic said Friday. "They have to because it affects them, too.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/sport...-pregame-statement-worthy-of-respect/30107818

 

[Handbag Lady]

Many of you are not seeing my side at all. The point is, I, like millions of others, take this wearing of the controversial comments to be offensive. It is their right to wear it, I am conceding that.
It is my right to show my displeasure by cutting my ties with the NFL until I feel it has dealt with the situation. They don't have to do anything, and I don't have to go back to going to or watching the games.
To the many of others that are also unhappy with these displays, I say, make your voices heard, and stop being in the silent majority. This is an action for change. Me by myself doing this is laughable, but I sincerely am starting a campaign to get people to wake up and STOP being silent.

I asked you a question because I don't understand your point and I still don't. You are offended because people are showing their opinions? Is that or is that not your point? I am trying to see and understand your side.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

SOME employees get censored all the time. It's also been the standard in the US the more valuable you are to your profession or work place the more you get away with.
professional sports is more of a symbiotic relationship. It's ludicrous to even imagine a CM having the same capabilities as a Lebron James. the king brings a certain value to his employee whether we think it's fair or not.

NO one is going to Disney to see a particular cast member. People go to the Patriots game in part because Tom Brady is there.

Michael Jordan of the chicago bulls got special treatment. Michael Jordan working at space mountain not so much. but the dude at space mountain is not bringing the owners millions of dollars. players do.

Lastly, the players aren't doing anymore extra than a cm at disneyworld. Everyone has the right to voice their opinions, they just have to be willing to accept the consequences.

Now I have no idea why the league decided not to say some thing, the team owners may or may not feel the same way but the bottom line is everyone has the right to voice their grievances.

And none of this makes it any less hypocritical.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If you were told that in any sort of CPR or first aid training, you were told wrongly. It is a myth that if a person can talk, they can breathe. And it always burns me when anyone utters that phrase because that myth can lead to an easily preventable death. Cops used to say that to try and catch the fakers. But somewhere along the line, they started to believe it. And this is a problem.

American Red Cross says this.

This isn't to say the cops should not have backed off--but the man was breathing when he said those words. Or he would not have been able to say them.

Also--difficulty breathing and inability to breathe are two different things.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

American Red Cross says this.

This isn't to say the cops should not have backed off--but the man was breathing when he said those words. Or he would not have been able to say them.
Also--difficulty breathing and inability to breathe are two different things.

Why don't you just educate the guy that is dead because he had "difficulty breathing" as to the difference. Oh wait. You can't. He's just as dead. And I don't think those whose loved ones were taken from them would appreciate you playing games with semantics. Oh and be sure to roll your eyes at them too.

The fact remains it is possible for a person to be able to talk when he cannot breathe sufficiently to keep himself alive. And several deaths have resulted from the mythical belief otherwise

 

[Gumbo4x4]

You really jumped through the wormhole with this leap.

Pfft, the Rams players protesting clearly represent the minority view in STL that the GJ got it wrong. You think a few players showing up next week with "I support Officer Wilson" t-shirts would go over well?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

See, that's what is happening, the majority has gotten fed up and decided to stop being silent...Eric Gardner was the last straw for so many people...how that criminal can still be wearing a badge is mind-blowing. The video is clear, he should be in jail. period. even cops can't just walk up to someone and strangle them to death.

I think your definition of "majority" and mine are drastically different.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Why don't you just educate the guy that is dead because he had "difficulty breathing" as to the difference. Oh wait. You can't. He's just as dead. And I don't think those whose loved ones were taken from them would appreciate you playing games with semantics. Oh and be sure to roll your eyes at them too.

The fact remains it is possible for a person to be able to talk when he cannot breathe sufficiently to keep himself alive. And several deaths have resulted from the mythical belief otherwise.

If this is a myth that leads to death, I suggest you take your hostile indignation and direct of to the American Red Cross.

Until then, the fact remains that he could breathe and I ALREADY conceded that did not mean he wasn't on distress. But you chose to overlook that and ignore it.

I have rescued an infant who could literally not breathe due to a blocked airway. She made NO sound as her face turned blue. So spare me your lecture.

 

[lsyorke]

If this is a myth that leads to death, I suggest you take your hostile indignation and direct of to the American Red Cross.

Until then, the fact remains that he could breathe and I ALREADY conceded that did not mean he wasn't on distress. But you chose to overlook that and ignore it.

I have rescued an infant who could literally not breathe due to a blocked airway. She made NO sound as her face turned blue. So spare me your lecture.

Acute respiratory distress will lead to death if not addressed quickly. You're arguing semantics when we all know that minutes after the "I can't breath" the man was dead from respiratory arrest.

 

[TaylorEar]

Acute respiratory distress will lead to death if not addressed quickly. You're arguing semantics when we all know that minutes after the "I can't breath" the man was dead from respiratory arrest.

I guess people would feel better if he had said "I can't breathe PROPERLY" 11 times while being choked to death... THAT would have cleared things up.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Acute respiratory distress will lead to death if not addressed quickly. You're arguing semantics when we all know that minutes after the "I can't breath" the man was dead from respiratory arrest.

Semantics came into question when the poster chose to nitpick my quote which already had me in agreement with you.

I stand by all of my statements which included he was clearly in distress and the police should have has a procedure for it... Adding...that did not involve disregarding his pleas. So no argument from me other than against the accusation that my training was in error. Again, take it up with ARC.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I guess people would feel better if he had said "I can't breathe PROPERLY" 11 times while being choked to death... THAT would have cleared things up.

No, I would not. If just is what you and others inferred, that is your issue. But it is not what I stated nor implied.

 

[CPT Tripss]

For the Mike Brown "free speech", they are making the statement that hitting a cop is okay. And perpetuated the myth that he was in active surrender.

I am less bothered by the "I can't breathe protest", though I was reminded that in first aid/CPR training--if the victim can talk, they can breathe. Regardless, he felt in distress and ended up being so. Surely there is a procedure in how to deal with that.

I do think the players look ridiculous especially with the "hands up" nonsense.

What you see as "hitting a cop is OK," others see as " killing an unarmed man is not acceptable police conduct."

American Red Cross says this.

This isn't to say the cops should not have backed off--but the man was breathing when he said those words. Or he would not have been able to say them.

Also--difficulty breathing and inability to breathe are two different things.

Yes, be sure to use proper English vocabulary when under stress and duress. Anything you say will be used against you.

 

[TaylorEar]

I am less bothered by the "I can't breathe protest", though I was reminded that in first aid/CPR training--if the victim can talk, they can breathe. Regardless, he felt in distress and ended up being so. Surely there is a procedure in how to deal with that.

Sorry, but the bolded section is an implication that somehow his "I can't breathe" statement was overly dramatic/exaggerated. It's something that a lot of pundits on certain TV "news" stations have been throwing around, as a way to somehow discredit or downplay the actual events. Why bother throwing that statement in there? What was the point? You can't put something out there, that definitely implies something, and then try to back out of it by saying "but, but... I SAID he was in distress!".

It's like talking about a rape victim, saying "well, yes rape is a horrible thing, how sad. Of course this reminds me of what my mother used to tell me about wearing short skirts... regardless, she felt in distress"

 

[CPT Tripss]

Semantics came into question when the poster chose to nitpick my quote which already had me in agreement with you.

I stand by all of my statements which included he was clearly in distress and the police should have has a procedure for it... Adding...that did not involve disregarding his pleas. So no argument from me other than against the accusation that my training was in error. Again, take it up with ARC.

The NYPD has a procedure . . . Don't use choke holds, call for a bus and administer aid. Let's see, they did call the EMTs, who did nothing.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Many of you are not seeing my side at all. The point is, I, like millions of others, take this wearing of the controversial comments to be offensive.

Why was that more offensive than only suspending Ray Rice two games? Or letting Dante Stallworth back into the NFL after killing a human being? How are words more offensive than that?