Poor Sportsmanship in the NFL

[Hrhpd]

Since Gabby Douglas was raked over the coals about not placing her hand over her heart during the National Anthem, a certain NFL QB should get an equal raking over the coals.

Yes, looking at you Colin Kaepernick. 2 games now where he refuses to stand for the Anthem. "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black People and People of Color."

While I don't think oppression of any kind is ok, it seems a bit incongruous that Kaepernick continues to accept his salary while taking a stance on oppression. It would have much more impact if he quit the NFL or donated all his salary to a worthy cause. But just refusing to stand for the anthem? Thank you Broncos for not signing this "point worthy adjective."

Of course, maybe he is practicing for all the bench time he will be getting this season.

 

[therealdjt]

I didn't think it was poor sportsmanship when Gabby did it and I am proud of Colin Kaepernick for taking a stand for what he believes in by taking a seat.

 

[ols386]

I think he has a right to not stand, but if he truly believes what he says, he should donate his millions to those who are oppressed.

 

[King Schultz]

I have mixed feelings about it.

On one hand, I respect his right to peacefully protest something he feels strongly about and I respect he is willing to face the inevitable backlash.


On the other hand, theses types of things seem to alienate the very people whose minds he wants to change, and the message tends to get lost.

 

[bcla]

The NFL has no requirement that players stand for the national anthem. The NBA did, and a player was suspended for a game, but later allowed to stand with his eyes closed.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/new...a-nuggets-grizzlies/ygy525twca3y1xsfhw43x7mkn

I personally wouldn't mind if this practice of the national anthem(s) ended before sporting events. I've worked with Europeans, and they think this practice is weird. I do it out of habit, but I wouldn't care if it stopped.

 

[LisaR]

I don't consider it poor sportsmanship and I didn't think it was with Gabby, either. I think it is silly and somewhat laughable. I don't get how this will make any change whatsoever. This is a guy who has some power: money, connections, and resources. DO SOMETHING! Work with the youth and the police, bring the community together, make changes. Something! Anything! Instead, he is going to sit on the bench during the anthem. Really? That's all he's got? I think it is quite lame and all he is doing is bringing attention to himself. I don't have any problem with a person taking a stand; I actually think that's commendable, but in his position, he could do so much more than sitting during the anthem. I find that to be quite lame.

 

[Hrhpd]

I didn't think it was poor sportsmanship when Gabby did it and I am proud of Colin Kaepernick for taking a stand for what he believes in by taking a seat.

He doesn't seem to have any problem accepting his 11.9 million dollar guaranteed oppressive salary from this oppressive society. I would be more impressed if he donated his salary to a cause that fought oppression. That would be standing up for oppression.

 

[Hrhpd]

The NFL has no requirement that players stand for the national anthem. The NBA did, and a player was suspended for a game, but later allowed to stand with his eyes closed.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/new...a-nuggets-grizzlies/ygy525twca3y1xsfhw43x7mkn

I personally wouldn't mind if this practice of the national anthem(s) ended before sporting events. I've worked with Europeans, and they think this practice is weird. I do it out of habit, but I wouldn't care if it stopped.

Never said there was a requirement. People absolutely have the right to not stand during the anthem, burn the flag, etc.

But it is laughable when someone making millions is just sitting and crying oppression. Go use your good fortune to do something about it. Set an example.

It makes him look like he is whining to get attention because he is a future bench warmer.

If he really meant to take a stand, he would put his money (literally) where his mouth is.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think he has a right to not stand, but if he truly believes what he says, he should donate his millions to those who are oppressed.

Exactly!!! Sitting and still collecting money from the National Football League is the action of spoiled brat, not someone trying to affect change. I'll sit but hey, gotta collect those dollars! Lost all respect for him.

 

[kimblebee]

Maybe he does donate to many causes and just doesn't make a big stink about it all over the media?

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I think his opinion sucks but not standing for the anthem is his right as an American. He's not being disruptive or violent so it is what it is.

 

[EMom]

Or he could give up his huge salary and walk away from football, and instead serve as he type of policeman he thinks we need. Of course, that would require a true sacrifice on his part and not just whining and sitting on his rear in an attempt to get attention while making no real sacrifice at all.

 

[JaxDad]

It's not how I would choose to highlight the issue, but hey, it IS a free country...

 

[Hrhpd]

I think his opinion sucks but not standing for the anthem is his right as an American. He's not being disruptive or violent so it is what it is.

That was kind of my point though. Gabby was raked over the coals for something that she shouldn't have been. I am surprised the media is not making more of Kaepernick sitting. Both did nothing wrong, although I do think Kaepernick is doing it for attention and actually making a mockery of his stand for oppression when he is making millions.

 

[LisaR]

Maybe he does donate to many causes and just doesn't make a big stink about it all over the media?

That's certainly possible, but if I was him and that was the case, I would have said something like this when I was interviewed about the subject:

I am actively involved in X, Y, and Z charities with regard to these issues and a great deal of my time and money goes to the cause, and so far, I don't see any changes taking place. I decided to try something different. Maybe this will bring enough attention to the issue to get people talking and take action.

Instead, I didn't see anything in the interview that he gave that indicates he has been involved in this cause for awhile now. It seems to have come out of left field. From the interview, it sounds like this is something he has only been thinking about for the past few months.

Kaepernick said that he has thought about going public with his feelings for a while but that "I felt that I needed to understand the situation better."

He said that he has discussed his feelings with his family and, after months of witnessing some of the civil unrest in the U.S., decided to be more active and involved in rights for black people. Kaepernick, who is biracial, was adopted and raised by white parents and siblings.

 

[kimblebee]

That's certainly possible, but if I was him and that was the case, I would have said something like this when I was interviewed about the subject:

I am actively involved in X, Y, and Z charities with regard to these issues and a great deal of my time and money goes to the cause, and so far, I don't see any changes taking place. I decided to try something different. Maybe this will bring enough attention to the issue to get people talking and take action.

Instead, I didn't see anything in the interview that he gave that indicates he has been involved in this cause for awhile now. It seems to have come out of left field. From the interview, it sounds like this is something he has only been thinking about for the past few months.

Kaepernick said that he has thought about going public with his feelings for a while but that "I felt that I needed to understand the situation better."

He said that he has discussed his feelings with his family and, after months of witnessing some of the civil unrest in the U.S., decided to be more active and involved in rights for black people. Kaepernick, who is biracial, was adopted and raised by white parents and siblings.

And if he did that, the headlines would be along the lines of 'oh look, he's throwing his money around, thinking that will solve the problems. We need actions, not money. Typical rich, out of touch person'.

I'd hate to be famous because there's no winning..

 

[LisaR]

That was kind of my point though. Gabby was raked over the coals for something that she shouldn't have been. I am surprised the media is not making more of Kaepernick sitting. Both did nothing wrong, although I do think Kaepernick is doing it for attention and actually making a mockery of his stand for oppression when he is making millions.

But Gabby didn't do it for a "cause." Nobody actually knows why she didn't do it. She put her hand over her heart in London. She did it at other events. Was she making a statement? Didn't care? Forgot? Wasn't in the moment? Who knows?
Again, I didn't have a problem with it, but it was out of character for her. Since she seems to have fallen out of grace with some people, it was just another thing to pick on for those people.

Kaepernick is doing this for a reason (whether you support his reason or not is irrelevant). He has stated this is why he is doing it and he isn't breaking any NFL rules or laws in our country.

As for being raked over the coals, I guess it is all in where you are looking. When people were talking about the way Gabby was being called out in London over her hair, I had to Google it. I had no clue that was even an issue. When Kaepernick didn't stand for the anthem, I had a dozen or so FB friends post a picture of a wounded vet with amputated legs who "stood" for the anthem by boosting himself up with his arms in his wheelchair during the anthem. Two other people posted the picture of the American pole vaulter in Rio who stopped in the middle of his jump to stand at attention while our anthem was playing. That's just on my personal feed. The comment sections are full of people who are calling him out. It's just depends on where you are looking.

 

[LisaR]

And if he did that, the headlines would be along the lines of 'oh look, he's throwing his money around, thinking that will solve the problems. We need actions, not money. Typical rich, out of touch person'.

I'd hate to be famous because there's no winning..

I agree there is no winning, but in his case, I really think this is a new thing for him and this is the only thing he has done for the cause. You have to start somewhere, I guess.

 

[kimblebee]

I agree there is no winning, but in his case, I really think this is a new thing for him and this is the only thing he has done for the cause. You have to start somewhere, I guess.

I can agree with that.

 

[sk!mom]

Since Gabby Douglas was raked over the coals about not placing her hand over her heart during the National Anthem, a certain NFL QB should get an equal raking over the coals.

Yes, looking at you Colin Kaepernick. 2 games now where he refuses to stand for the Anthem. "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black People and People of Color."

While I don't think oppression of any kind is ok, it seems a bit incongruous that Kaepernick continues to accept his salary while taking a stance on oppression. It would have much more impact if he quit the NFL or donated all his salary to a worthy cause. But just refusing to stand for the anthem? Thank you Broncos for not signing this "point worthy adjective."

Of course, maybe he is practicing for all the bench time he will be getting this season.

I don't follow you. How would refusing his salary take a stand? His issue is with the US not the NFL. The NFL seems to be pretty diverse and provides opportunities for all.

I've read so many memes and comments like yours that don't connect in my mind. Could he use his celebrity/money to do more, sure. But maybe he has or will. Maybe this is his starting place.

I had no problem with Gabby Douglas and no problem with him. Free speech is free speech. Now if I wanted an athlete to promote a product, I wouldn't choose him. If I was a sponsor of his, I'd likely pull it. His actions would bring negative publicity that I wouldn't want associated with my product/company.

I would hope that he thought it through and is prepared to accept the bad publicity that will, no doubt, follow.

Fans now have the freedom to not purchase tickets or merchandise with his name. His team can get rid of him if they think the bad publicity outweighs his contribution.