Poor Sportsmanship in the NFL

[Magpie]

Sorry, I wasn't suggesting he should tell the community to all play football, but rather as somebody who worked hard to achieve a goal and succeed, as did Tyson and others.

And I couldn't "like" your comment re: education as being the solution enough, but unfortunately many who get a scholarship to play football are using the system as much as the system is using them. As you may or may not know (not sure if you follow sports so not trying to offend) - the NFL doesn't allow kids to enter the league straight from HS or their first year in college so "education" is a means to an end.

That is why I really like Larry Fitzgerald (WR for the AZ Cardinals). He left school early but promised his mom he'd get a degree so while making millions in the NFL he earned a degree. He also used this as an example for "his community". Personally, I think that is a better role model and example than sitting during the playing of the National Anthem. He is leading by example and helping others follow his path.

Watching the John Oliver clip was very eye-opening, with regards to the fact that even young men who want an education are being denied one by the colleges they play for ("paper classes"). Mind you, by this point they're often at the end of a long road of depressingly sub-standard education anyway.

Larry Fitzgerald shouldn't be the exception, or the rare example to aspire to - he should be the norm. And the fact that he isn't, isn't solely the fault of mums who didn't make their sons promise to get an education or the young men who failed to make millions and overcome all the obstacles in their path. Those obstacles shouldn't be there in the first place!

 

[penn19]

I thought it interesting that there was a news story about him last month. His Fiancé is pretty big into the BLM movement and he converted to Islam for her.
I guess some of that might figure into the stand he's taking.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

He said "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black People and People of Color."

Does anyone else see the hypocrisy of his statement and actions? He is saying the same thing about americans that he thinks the police say about blacks.

He is saying that he believes that the police think that all blacks are "bad guys" (and therefore oppressing them). At the same time he is saying that all americans are "bad guys".

Both of which are nonsense.

Oh brother.

 

[LovesTimone]

Our National Anthem and the Flag.... our Flag .... my Flag... that waves while being played was fought and many people have died and are dying for that flag and our way of life. People of all color, ethnic background, religious choice, man and woman, even children... have defended it for our rights. So standing and showing some respect for them and what some gave as the last full measure of devotion to me.... is very important.

Respect is earned... If he really wanted to do something important that people... all people would respect... he would do something other than sitting on his fanny...

Why doesn't he put on a military uniform and fight for his rights that he takes for granted..... because at the end of the day.... Football is a game, A Game... not some life altering, for the good of mankind changing occupation. He goes home to his million dollar house and lives the life that that Flag and Anthem gave him.

If he thinks its better anywhere else, He should get out of his contract and go to where it is that he thinks is so perfect... No-one is keeping him here...

This is our problem we need to bond together and worry about the really enemy out there... and Make America the greatest country on earth again... and Be proud to be a American.

 

[pryncess527]

If he thinks its better anywhere else, He should get out of his contract and go to where it is that he thinks is so perfect... No-one is keeping him here...

This is our problem we need to bond together and worry about the really enemy out there... and Make America the greatest country on earth again... and Be proud to be a American.

Aren't these a bit contradictory? If you want to make America the greatest country on earth "again" that implies you think it's not the greatest now. No one is keeping you here, you are free to go where you think it's better

FWIW, I think all Americans have the right to be here, and the right to express disapproval. But I can't help but be confounded by people who in one breath say America is the Greatest how DARE he not acknowledge that, and in the next breath suggest we need to make America great AGAIN. I think it's great NOW and is only getting better.
I suspect you have different ideas with what is 'wrong" with America, but neither of you believing America is not perfect makes you UnAmerican, or means you should have to leave.

 

[bcla]

Our National Anthem and the Flag.... our Flag .... my Flag... that waves while being played was fought and many people have died and are dying for that flag and our way of life. People of all color, ethnic background, religious choice, man and woman, even children... have defended it for our rights. So standing and showing some respect for them and what some gave as the last full measure of devotion to me.... is very important.

Respect is earned... If he really wanted to do something important that people... all people would respect... he would do something other than sitting on his fanny...

Why doesn't he put on a military uniform and fight for his rights that he takes for granted..... because at the end of the day.... Football is a game, A Game... not some life altering, for the good of mankind changing occupation. He goes home to his million dollar house and lives the life that that Flag and Anthem gave him.

If he thinks its better anywhere else, He should get out of his contract and go to where it is that he thinks is so perfect... No-one is keeping him here...

This is our problem we need to bond together and worry about the really enemy out there... and Make America the greatest country on earth again... and Be proud to be a American.

Again, dying for a flag and anthem? If a symbol is worth dying for, then someone's priorities aren't on straight. The flag and anthem didn't give him anything.

I wouldn't do what he did, but he's taking a rather unpopular position and one that's likely going to cost him whatever chance he had to succeed in his chosen profession.

He's certainly never said anything about leaving, and I find these suggestions to be a bit silly. What makes America great is that he can say something or fail to do something and he's not being exiled to some gulag or reeducation camp.

 

[JoeA]

Again, dying for a flag and anthem? If a symbol is worth dying for, then someone's priorities aren't on straight. The flag and anthem didn't give him anything.

I wouldn't do what he did, but he's taking a rather unpopular position and one that's likely going to cost him whatever chance he had to succeed in his chosen profession.

He's certainly never said anything about leaving, and I find these suggestions to be a bit silly. What makes America great is that he can say something or fail to do something and he's not being exiled to some gulag or reeducation camp.

His stance on this won't cost him the chance to succeed. He really isn't that good on the field so I hope he gets used to sitting because if he makes the team he'll be sitting for more than the Anthem.

 

[luvsJack]

Again, dying for a flag and anthem? If a symbol is worth dying for, then someone's priorities aren't on straight. The flag and anthem didn't give him anything.

I wouldn't do what he did, but he's taking a rather unpopular position and one that's likely going to cost him whatever chance he had to succeed in his chosen profession.

He's certainly never said anything about leaving, and I find these suggestions to be a bit silly. What makes America great is that he can say something or fail to do something and he's not being exiled to some gulag or reeducation camp.

I am fairly certain that the pp did not mean literally "dying for the flag", but dying for the defense of what that flag represents.

He is making 19 million a year, I don't think not moving forward its going to hurt him all that much. He could flip hamburgers for the next 20 years and he should still be ok. Let me know when someone that REALLY has something to lose takes a stance. It will mean a whole lot more.

 

[FINFAN]

Again, dying for a flag and anthem? If a symbol is worth dying for, then someone's priorities aren't on straight. The flag and anthem didn't give him anything.

I wouldn't do what he did, but he's taking a rather unpopular position and one that's likely going to cost him whatever chance he had to succeed in his chosen profession.

He's certainly never said anything about leaving, and I find these suggestions to be a bit silly. What makes America great is that he can say something or fail to do something and he's not being exiled to some gulag or reeducation camp.

my post on him departing was not one of exiling him or reeducating. It was that he has the choice to leave if he is that upset about our nation and all it has offered him.The guy has access to media, organizations, schools, sponsors, you name it. He could have arranged a televised interview, anything other than choosing a way that he knew would/could have a negative impact on the public who viewed it. Yes he has the right to do what he did. It also speaks volumes of how he wanted the issue to be all about him and add a "cause" in the aftermath. Quit a sport/career that involves paying respect to our anthem at the beginning of each game/day at work then. If the guy had called for an interview prior to his actions, stating why he was choosing to make his stand, I think it may have been received more positively than it was and had more support instead of choosing an attention- getter that he knew would offend.

 

[bcla]

I am fairly certain that the pp did not mean literally "dying for the flag", but dying for the defense of what that flag represents.

He is making 19 million a year, I don't think not moving forward its going to hurt him all that much. He could flip hamburgers for the next 20 years and he should still be ok. Let me know when someone that REALLY has something to lose takes a stance. It will mean a whole lot more.

Some athletes have burned through so much money so quickly that I wouldn't be too quick to assume that. He's also not making $19 million a year. His contract terms are back-loaded, which many at the time thought to be extremely team friendly. He's got a roster bonus and his prorated signing bonus counts against the salary cap, but this year he's making under $14 million. Many assumed that he would be cut before the season since NFL contracts aren't guaranteed, but he did have an injury/surgery that triggered a clause a payout for this year.

There's almost no chance that he's still with the 49ers next season. His performance is shot and he's too much of a distraction for more than just his stance on the national anthem.

As for "dying for the flag" - that's exactly what I read.

Our National Anthem and the Flag.... our Flag .... my Flag... that waves while being played was fought and many people have died and are dying for that flag and our way of life.

He goes home to his million dollar house and lives the life that that Flag and Anthem gave him.​

 

[Hikergirl]

Some athletes have burned through so much money so quickly that I wouldn't be too quick to assume that. He's also not making $19 million a year. His contract terms are back-loaded, which many at the time thought to be extremely team friendly. He's got a roster bonus and his prorated signing bonus counts against the salary cap, but this year he's making under $14 million. Many assumed that he would be cut before the season since NFL contracts aren't guaranteed, but he did have an injury/surgery that triggered a clause a payout for this year.

There's almost no chance that he's still with the 49ers next season. His performance is shot and he's too much of a distraction for more than just his stance on the national anthem.

As for "dying for the flag" - that's exactly what I read.

Our National Anthem and the Flag.... our Flag .... my Flag... that waves while being played was fought and many people have died and are dying for that flag and our way of life.

He goes home to his million dollar house and lives the life that that Flag and Anthem gave him.​

For someone who shows up on many threads with so much knowledge of the subject I find it pretty hard to believe that you couldn't understand what that poster meant.

 

[bcla]

For someone who shows up on many threads with so much knowledge of the subject I find it pretty hard to believe that you couldn't understand what that poster meant.

Unless the poster comes back and says it was merely symbolic, I don't think I interpreted the language incorrectly. I've heard many words of "dying for the flag" meant with sincerity and conviction.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I am fairly certain that the pp did not mean literally "dying for the flag", but dying for the defense of what that flag represents.

He is making 19 million a year, I don't think not moving forward its going to hurt him all that much. He could flip hamburgers for the next 20 years and he should still be ok. Let me know when someone that REALLY has something to lose takes a stance. It will mean a whole lot more.

Doesn't what the flag represents also mean the right of a citizen to non violently protest?
It just seems contradictory to claim he's disrespecting the military because he's disrespecting a flag or anthem that represent, symbolically what people have fought for when he's exercising one of the actual rights people have fought for.

 

[luvsJack]

Some athletes have burned through so much money so quickly that I wouldn't be too quick to assume that. He's also not making $19 million a year. His contract terms are back-loaded, which many at the time thought to be extremely team friendly. He's got a roster bonus and his prorated signing bonus counts against the salary cap, but this year he's making under $14 million. Many assumed that he would be cut before the season since NFL contracts aren't guaranteed, but he did have an injury/surgery that triggered a clause a payout for this year.

There's almost no chance that he's still with the 49ers next season. His performance is shot and he's too much of a distraction for more than just his stance on the national anthem.

As for "dying for the flag" - that's exactly what I read.

Our National Anthem and the Flag.... our Flag .... my Flag... that waves while being played was fought and many people have died and are dying for that flag and our way of life.

He goes home to his million dollar house and lives the life that that Flag and Anthem gave him.​

Well, bless his heart. How ever will he survive? I just feel for him.

Do you honestly believe that the poster meant the flag itself gives him freedom? Really, you believe that?

 

[luvsJack]

Doesn't what the flag represents also mean the right of a citizen to non violently protest?
It just seems contradictory to claim he's disrespecting the military because he's disrespecting a flag or anthem that represent, symbolically what people have fought for when he's exercising one of the actual rights people have fought for.

Not really. The freedoms that we have give us the right to do a lot of things. Having the freedom to act like an *** doesn't make it less disrespectful.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Doesn't what the flag represents also mean the right of a citizen to non violently protest?
It just seems contradictory to claim he's disrespecting the military because he's disrespecting a flag or anthem that represent, symbolically what people have fought for when he's exercising one of the actual rights people have fought for.

Nah, I still find it disrespectful. I mean, where do you draw the line? Is burning the flag or wiping your bum with it disrespectful? I believe so, but yet there's no law against it just as there's no law against this.

If you believe the flag represents freedom of expression, there are still forms of expression that are disrespectful toward the flag & all it represents.

 

[Nayan]

Doesn't what the flag represents also mean the right of a citizen to non violently protest?
It just seems contradictory to claim he's disrespecting the military because he's disrespecting a flag or anthem that represent, symbolically what people have fought for when he's exercising one of the actual rights people have fought for.

I have seen a number of posts from veterans about him not standing and many have said that's what they have fought for, the rights we all enjoy, including not standing for the pledge or the anthem. Many of my ex-military friends agree.

His right to not stand, whether we agree or not, is granted by the First Amendment. The people saying 'Stand or Get Out' truly (IMHO) do not understand how freedom works and it sounds ridiculous, just as it would if I said 'I agree with him and if you don't then you can pack up and leave'. Forced Patriotism is not something we as a nation do, nor should we imply it.

 

[Hikergirl]

The irony is that those very people he disrespects by not standing DO support his right to sit, and they have and they continue to fight for that very right. That doesn't mean that they don't find what he did disrespectful though.

And as far as the stand or get out, well if he is so unhappy with the way his country treats its citizens, namely black citizens he is free to reside in a country that he can be proud of and support the way it treats its black citizens. Its a pretty logical conclusion, if where you live makes you unhappy you move.

 

[bcla]

Well, bless his heart. How ever will he survive? I just feel for him.

Do you honestly believe that the poster meant the flag itself gives him freedom? Really, you believe that?

There have been some people so passionate about the flag that I could imagine that being said literally. I don't know if it was meant literally or as hyperbole, but neither would surprise me. If it was said literally, well then that's just stupid.

 

[bcla]

Nah, I still find it disrespectful. I mean, where do you draw the line? Is burning the flag or wiping your bum with it disrespectful? I believe so, but yet there's no law against it just as there's no law against this.

If you believe the flag represents freedom of expression, there are still forms of expression that are disrespectful toward the flag & all it represents.

Well - I too find it disrespectful. It was meant to be. However, I don't take it as particularly being disrespectful to anyone except perhaps the police who he claims are killing black Americans. He's gone in depth about the meaning of his protest, and claims that disdain for the military is not part of it.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...o-sit-national-anthem-san-francisco/89515810/

"I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country," said Kaepernick. "I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening.

"People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody. That’s something that’s not happening.

"I’ve seen circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they fought have for, and have been murdered by the country they fought for, on our land. That’s not right."

Kaepernick said no one has asked him to tone down his message. He addressed his teammates during a team meeting Sunday and said they've been supportive.​