Poor Sportsmanship in the NFL

[JoeA]

How dare someone who has obtained success not ignore the struggles that many in his community still face.

He should simply take an I GOT MINE, YOU BETTER GET YOURS attitude.

Or he could help others in "his" community understand that they too can have the same opportunity in this country to gain wealth by using himself as an example.

 

[FINFAN]

Sure, because nothing says "you have your rights" more than suggesting someone leave after exercising those rights.

he has the right to stay or go if he is unhappy with his environment, he has the right to display his opinion. Everyone who he displays his opinion to has the right to express their opinion of his actions. The way I see it is if he is THAT upset as to show that level of disrespect to his country, find one that makes him happier.

 

[bcla]

he has the right to stay or go if he is unhappy with his environment, he has the right to display his opinion. Everyone who he displays his opinion to has the right to express their opinion of his actions. The way I see it is if he is THAT upset as to show that level of disrespect to his country, find one that makes him happier.

He's chosen to stay. I've never understood the love it or leave it attitude.

 

[FINFAN]

He's chosen to stay. I've never understood the love it or leave it attitude.

kind of like standing or not standing?

 

[bcla]

We don't know what his charitable donations are. Frankly, it's not of our business, first, how he spends his money and second, even the freaking bible tells you to do your good works quietly. Talking about how much you donate to charity is gauche and it's nothing but a humblebrag, to be honest. Do your good works without looking for fanfare and accolades. That's the way it's supposed to be. You do them because they are good, not so you get attention and head pats.

I'll start off my saying that I'm not a 49ers fan nor a Colin Kaepernick fan. I never really liked his attitude or his tats. I really hated him after he burned Cal when they played in Reno.

That being said, he has done charitable activities. I don't know how much he has donated out of his own pocket, but he has held charitable events and donated his time. It could be fluff, but so what?

http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2...p-Taylor/1cc28479-7217-43e8-bd39-59090376bd71

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

Who cares if he did or did not stand for the national anthem.
People need to get a hobby if this is the thing they are upset about.
A peaceful protest isn't something to get riled about.

 

[pryncess527]

I'm so grateful that throughout our nation's history, people who were upset about how we failed to live up to our ideals stayed here and fought (both physically in the military and civic-ally), to make it a better place. I hope we never stop speaking out when we see injustice and striving to make this a better place. A lifelong quest to live up to the lofty ideals of our Constitution is exactly what the flag symbolizes for me.

 

[JaxDad]

I have a rather nuanced view on the military. I'm neither of the "baby killer" nor "rah rah" persuasion. I appreciate what they do, but I don't go as far as hero worship either. Military members do all sorts of things, and many of these duties are extremely mundane. A friend served in the Army as a personnel clerk. He had a desk job and never slept in anything other than a bed outside of basic training. Another was an officer and spent time in the field, but also got to travel in those fancy corporate jets that transport flag officers and Cabinet members.

Sure what Kaepernick did is patently an insult to the national anthem and flag. It was meant to be. It might even be an insult to those who love the flag (who includes a lot of military members and veterans). But specifically an insult to the military? Not even.

I came out early in this thread and said I would not choose to do what Mr. Kaepernick is doing, but it is a free country. He is well within his rights to stage this protest.

Part of the reason it has not upset me too much is that I recognize I have not walked a mile in his shoes. I served on jury duty several years ago as the only white juror in a case with a black defendant. I learned a lot from my fellow jurors about the relationship between the police and young black men. It's not all about racism, but that doesn't make it better for those that have lived it.

I can't speak for Mr. Kaepernick, and I wouldn't presume to do so. As a military veteran, I would advise that you not to speak for us either.

 

[Magpie]

Or he could help others in "his" community understand that they too can have the same opportunity in this country to gain wealth by using himself as an example.

Actually, this makes me very uncomfortable... not every young black man can become a pro football player, though too many do waste their life and ruin their health trying. A few "make it". Many more are exploited, injured, and abandoned. It's much the same forces of poverty and limited opportunity and lack of education that forces many individuals into the military. When you have no other options, where do you go?

Football is not the answer to poverty, education is. And so, you'd think the whole college athletics scholarship system might be a perfect solution to the problem. In exchange for your athletic efforts on our school's behalf, we'll pay for your education. But it doesn't work like that! College athletes are even more exploited than pro athletes, and they almost never get any kind of education out of the experience either.

(Edit: Do be careful clicking on the link below. John Oliver has a bit of a potty mouth and they don't bleep him very well. It's still worth watching, though!)

Kaepernick holding up himself as an example to other young black men would be like saying, "You too can be a multimillionaire if you spend every last dollar on lottery tickets! I did, and I won! You can win, too!" I suspect he knows that, too.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson (arguably a much more successful black man than Colin Kaepernick) has talked about the obstacles that stand in the way of black men in the sciences. Teachers saying to him, "Science? Don't you want to be an athlete?" He talks about the road blocks in his way, and how his passion inspired him to overcome them... and then he talks about looking behind and wondering how much blood is on the tracks, that he made it when so many didn't. He doesn't say, "I succeeded, so what's wrong with you?" He says we need to remove those obstacles and level the playing field.

And he's absolutely right. He's not an example of how "they too can have the same opportunity in this country", he's an example of how unfairly the system is stacked against one segment of the population.

 

[bcla]

Neil DeGrasse Tyson (arguably a much more successful black man than Colin Kaepernick) has talked about the obstacles that stand in the way of black men in the sciences.

Tyson certainly isn't more successful financially.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

It becomes a problem when those dreams, ideals, and freedoms are not available to many Americans because of their race, ethnicity, or religion.

None of that is fact. People of all races, ethnicities, and religions are born into situations that could impede or even completely block those dreams & opportunities. Some races, ethnicities, and religions are more highly represented in that group than are others. But in today's world, one's race, ethnicity, or religion cannot be solely responsible for blocking one's dreams, ambitions, or opportunities in the United States.

 

[bcla]

I can't speak for Mr. Kaepernick, and I wouldn't presume to do so. As a military veteran, I would advise that you not to speak for us either.

When did I speak for the military or veterans? I stated my opinion that I don't believe that an insult to the flag or national anthem is an insult to the military. It may be a personal affront, but that's something on an individual basis. I'm appreciative of those who choose to serve, but I don't engage in hero worship on that basis.

 

[Nayan]

Tyson certainly isn't more successful financially.

Financially successful or not, it proves the point that there are huge hurdles to overcome if you are a black person.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

So because he personally has been successful he is not allowed to have any feelings about anyone else's oppression?

Don't be ridiculous. He can have whatever opinion he wishes & he can choose to express said opinion however he wishes.

But, I have just as much right to agree or disagree with his opinions as well as his method of expressing said opinions.

For the record, I do not entirely disagree with his opinion (I don't entirely agree either). I completely disagree with his method of expressing his opinion.

 

[luvsJack]

When did I speak for the military or veterans? I stated my opinion that I don't believe that an insult to the flag or national anthem is an insult to the military. It may be a personal affront, but that's something on an individual basis. I'm appreciative of those who choose to serve, but I don't engage in hero worship on that basis.

Respect doesn't equal hero worship. And they have earned the respect.

But if anyone does deserve hero worship it is the military men and women. NOT a football player.

 

[Magpie]

Tyson certainly isn't more successful financially.

There are many different ways to measure "success".

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Financially successful or not, it proves the point that there are huge hurdles to overcome if you are a black person.

No, it shows that your odds of having to overcome huge hurdles are higher if you're black. Being born black doesn't automatically mean you WILL face huge hurdles anymore than being white means by default you will never face such hurdles.

By the way, this is true of most modern nations, not just the U.S. Sadly, it's even more true in countries where black citizens are in the majority.

 

[LisaR]

I have to say I have changed my mind.

In my very first post I questioned why he would do this. It seemed to me that this man with so much star power, money, and powerful relationships could come up with a hundred other ways to bring this issue to the forefront. I didn't think quietly sitting for the anthem would make any difference whatsoever.

I've changed my mind!

This has so many people talking; way more than I thought possible over something so simple (and lame, as I said in my first post). I have seen so much discussion all over the internet about the meaning of patriotism, the flag, and the anthem and also a great deal of talk about race relations and the meaning of oppression. While some can say that he could/should have done more or taken a different approach, his quiet, simple protest has most certainly generated conversation. One man isn't going to change such a complex issue, but one man did manage to stir conversation. That's something.

 

[JoeA]

Actually, this makes me very uncomfortable... not every young black man can become a pro football player, though too many do waste their life and ruin their health trying. A few "make it". Many more are exploited, injured, and abandoned. It's much the same forces of poverty and limited opportunity and lack of education that forces many individuals into the military. When you have no other options, where do you go?

Football is not the answer to poverty, education is. And so, you'd think the whole college athletics scholarship system might be a perfect solution to the problem. In exchange for your athletic efforts on our school's behalf, we'll pay for your education. But it doesn't work like that! College athletes are even more exploited than pro athletes, and they almost never get any kind of education out of the experience either.

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.

 

[DizBelle]

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.