Poor Sportsmanship in the NFL

[therealdjt]

What's so wrong w/ patriotism? And why shouldn't our National Anthem be played before sporting events?

I think what the guy did was horrid & shameful. But it is a free country. Many men & women have served & died for him to have that right. I only wish he recognized that & respected the sacrifice for which our flag stands.

Oh, & I do agree w/ some others... If you really think our country is that awful, you're free to leave & find another country that suits you better.

And if you have a problem with people exercising their rights and freedoms, then you are free to leave and go to a nation where patriotism is enforced (most totalitarian governments will suit you just fine). And while you do, I'll stay right where I am and try to improve the nation, thank you very much.

 

[Missy1961]

For all of you that are saying he should give away his money (or not take his salary at all), do you think that everyone who protests should also donate or not take their salary? Yes, I am aware that he makes a lot of money to play a game, but let's put that to the side.

Athletes and celebrities are damned if they do, damned if they don't. If they don't speak out/donate/etc., certain people think it's terrible. When they speak out/donate/etc., people will say they shouldn't or they're doing it for the attention.

For the record, I didn't have a problem with Gabby Douglas and I don't have a problem with Colin K. either. We're allowed to speak out if we so desire here in the United States. If we didn't things wouldn't change. And I don't think those who have a problem with the US should leave. We need to fix things - we need people to speak out when they see an injustice. I want this country to continue to get better.

 

[luvsJack]

The man had every right not to stand but why oh why, for the love of all that is holy, do we care so much about the opinion of a football player?

If Joe Blow in the stands didn't stand, would we care? Does this guy's opinion mean more than his?

 

[pat fan]

Well first of all a local sporting event has absolutely nothing to do a governmental activity or a "state" event. It isn't an international competition where teams are under the aegis of their nation.

Not sure what that has to do with what I said, and you quoted me. Sporting events I have been to from local high school to NFL to county fair demo derby's all play the anthem first. I don't believe the government is involved in any of them. Yes I know about the pay thing for NFL military tributes, but I bet you there are some teams who would do it anyway, and did it before it was that way. Regardless, as someone else said, great time to hit the concessions or bathroom if it offends you so (general you, not you personally). And wanting to work to better your country is GREAT, I do that too, because I LOVE my country but I may not agree with some politicians who are running it at any given time. Patriotism is not a four letter word and I'm proud to be an American and will put my hand over my heart when the anthem is played and pay my repsects. See my signature as well

 

[low-key]

he has the right to do that and I have the right to hate him

 

[pat fan]

If Joe Blow in the stands didn't stand, would we care? Does this guy's opinion mean more than his?

Not at all, to me. But because he is "famous" it will be in the news. And kids see it and will be influenced. It IS a bigger deal than if you or I did it.

 

[LisaR]

I can't like your post enough!! It's a sad thing when Patriotism for your country is sneered at, but it's what we've come to these days.

We go to a lot of sporting events and I enjoy the anthem. I was also an athlete so it is just something I've been used to my entire life and don't have any problem with it. However, it doesn't make the people who are there patriotic. While most (all?) stand during the anthem, I notice many don't remove their hats, don't stand still, or drink their beer and talk the entire time. From a distance it appears to be a patriotic moment when 30,000+ people are all standing for our anthem, but for many they are just complying with the crowd. For that reason, I do see it as faux patriotism. It very much reminds me of all the people who put those American flags on their car windows after 9-11 but didn't do anything else. This situation with the football player or Gabby is also a version of faux patriotism. There are many people who are completely up in arms over these instances, but they literally do nothing else in terms of patriotism except put their hand on their heart and stand for the anthem. They don't serve, they don't help out veterans, they don't vote for things that will improve military life, veteran benefits, or the homeless which many of our veterans are. I don't think patriotism would decline if the anthem wasn't played before sporting events anymore than I believe patriotism increases just because it is played. It's a feel good moment and nothing more for many of the people who are there.

 

[bcla]

What's so wrong w/ patriotism? And why shouldn't our National Anthem be played before sporting events?

I think what the guy did was horrid & shameful. But it is a free country. Many men & women have served & died for him to have that right. I only wish he recognized that & respected the sacrifice for which our flag stands.

Oh, & I do agree w/ some others... If you really think our country is that awful, you're free to leave & find another country that suits you better.

It's not a military flag. It belongs to the American people. Our flag stands first and foremost for our freedoms. I appreciate our military, but it's still just a job. Every time I hear someone say that an insult to the flag is an insult to the military, I just shake my head.

We're talking about ceremony. Standing when an anthem us being played is simple and frankly pretty trivial compared to real issues in the world. If has issues, is it easier to leave or to stay and do one's part to try and help?

When and if fasism comes to America it will not be labeled "made in Germany "; it will not be marked with a swastika; it will not even be called fascism; it will be called, of course, "Americanism."

Halford E. Luccock

 

[pat fan]

However, it doesn't make the people who are there patriotic. While most (all?) stand during the anthem, I notice many don't remove their hats, don't stand still, or drink their beer and talk the entire time. From a distance it appears to be a patriotic moment when 30,000+ people are all standing for our anthem, but for many they are just complying with the crowd. For that reason, I do see it as faux patriotism. It very much reminds me of all the people who put those American flags on their car windows after 9-11 but didn't do anything else. This situation with the football player or Gabby is also a version of faux patriotism. There are many people who are completely up in arms over these instances, but they literally do nothing else in terms of patriotism except put their hand on their heart and stand for the anthem. They don't serve, they don't help out veterans, they don't vote for things that will improve military life, veteran benefits, or the homeless which many of our veterans are. I don't think patriotism would decline if the anthem wasn't played before sporting events anymore than I believe patriotism increases just because it is played. It's a feel good moment and nothing more for many of the people who are there.

That makes me nutty. I was raised that you hush, hand on your heart, face the flag and hats off for men. Now, my dad was a Marine, so this was IMPORTANT. I realize people not raised with that kind of training or tradition frankly don't KNOW what they are supposed to do. ESPECIALLY this generation and the previous one. No idea what they are supposed to do. I think it's sad, but I don't look at them and think they don't care for their country, I think it's just ignorance.

 

[Unas]

Gabby didn't do anything that dozens of others didn't also do. The reason it stuck out was she didn't cover her heart while standing next to 4 girls who DID. Had she been up there by herself, nobody would have noticed.

As for Cap, well he's always been a douche and a bonehead to boot, so no shock here. I'm curious exactly what official US policy it is that he feels is oppressive toward minorities. And how ironic that the US is the only nation on earth where could earn his current salary with his very specific skill set.

Have you seen what those footballers (soccer players) on clubs in England and the Continent make?

 

[gja360]

Hopefully the defense will knock some sense into him. Maybe make him paralyzed than he will have a reason not to stand. Anyone who doesn't stand who can should be given a one way ticket to the country of their choice.

The great thing about this country is that we have freedoms... For example....Freedom to stand (or not) during the national anthem.

While I don't have the same opinions as he does, he does have the right to have them and the right not to stand if he doesn't want to. I'm not saying I think it's right what he did....

To say he should be paralyzed is disgusting....

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Have you seen what those footballers (soccer players) on clubs in England and the Continent make?

That's not his sport

 

[luvsJack]

Not at all, to me. But because he is "famous" it will be in the news. And kids see it and will be influenced. It IS a bigger deal than if you or I did it.

My point is it shouldn't be. Our kids should be taught to admire an athlete's playing ability, strive to play like him if you want to but his opinions and beliefs are just that and should not be more important than the next guy's. Find a true hero for those things.

The media focusing on it is part of the problem.

 

[Geoff_M]

Kaepernick is well within his rights not to stand... and I'm well within my rights to think he's an idiot for his expressed reasons for not doing so. I'm sorry Mr. Kaepernick, but there are just too many counter-examples that I can point to that proves that this nation does not exercise apartheid as he sees it. Geez, as if I needed ANOTHER reason not to like the 49'ers!

 

[lorimay]

My only thought when I heard this was this....
He hasn't really been in the news lately, when he was at the top of his game, he was constantly being talked about, now not so much.
So IMHO it was a way to get his name in the media again!!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My only thought when I heard this was this....
He hasn't really been in the news lately, when he was at the top of his game, he was constantly being talked about, now not so much.
So IMHO it was a way to get his name in the media again!!

Yeah, I suspect he'll be spending a lot of time sitting at games going forward, and not just during the anthem.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yeah, I suspect he'll be spending a lot of time sitting at games going forward, and not just during the anthem.

BAM!

 

[Unas]

Considering the total lack of international participation in American football, I guess I totally missed your point

 

[Patch'sD]

I think it would be more of a statement if he sat out the season or refused to play in this so called oppressive country. But no, he wants to collect is huge paycheck. Just another Mediocre Professional Athlete looking for attention.

 

[Deb in IA]

He has the right to not stand.

That is one of the protected freedoms in our Constitution that others won for him with their lives.


But as others said, I also have the right to think he is an jerk, and if he endorses anything (I don't know if he does or doesn't), I have the right to boycott it.