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By now we all know about the protests around the NFL. The kneeling during the National Anthem to originally bring attention to one self in a contract year....I mean to bring attention to wrongdoings against African Americans and minorities in the United States by Police. Nevermind that all Races have experienced a "wrongdoing" by people who were doing their job, and if people would just act civilized, the police would not have to do their job. But it was his Freedom of Speech (expression) Right to do this. I don't agree with it but I understand his Right

Then when no one would pick up a below subpar backup who wanted Superstar Money, the protests grew because of the perceived color of the original protestor's skin and the ignored negative fan based interest that came with him, he was being blacked-balled throughout the league. But that is their Freedom of Speech Right. Once again, I don't agree with how they are using that right but it is a right.

Then when the Protector of their Freedom Of Speech Right chooses to express his Freedom of Speech Right, the original protestors say that he does not have that Right by protesting and kneeling. So the original protest meaning is lost and now the current protest's true meaning is to protest "I don't like what you said."

Then came the now infamous "Inmate" remark by an owner on a Friday. The remark has been used for centuries and it is an analogy to represent the Chain of Command. Even though the owner used another word, the intention was there. When someone brought to the attention the insensitivity of the Freudian Slip, he realized his mistake and apologized. He then had a 4 hour closed door meeting the next day with his employees where he apologized again and gave them a chance to express their opinions in hopes of coming together for a better understanding. At the end of the meeting, the initial response was that it was productive. However, a heart felt apology and an attempt to work things out as men wasn't good enough, so again we have protestors who are protesting "I don't like what you said and now my feelings are hurt"

And then when the leader of the "Offended" states that he puts his body and mind on the line every time he steps on that field to disrespect the ones who actually put their bodies, minds, and lives on the line so he can have the right to protest, it becomes apparent that he does not appreciate what he has.

As a military brat and having lost a close family member who died protecting that right, now I am offended.

But now, a washed up, injury prone, uneventful former draft bust NFL QB, not the original protestor mind you, is saying that he is being blacked balled by the League because of the color of his skin, nevermind that he is now without the millions he signed for as a rookie and has been out of the game for 3 years. No one has the "Right" to play in the NFL, that is a privilege. And that privilege is based on the talent of the player and not by the color of his skin.

End of Soapbox

Hi

As you speak about this, i would like to give you a view how it is (mostly) seen outside of the USA. I live in Austria and it is mostly seen as a nice form of protest for a good Thing. But more important, nobody really cares a lot. Its just not a big Thing. Theres a guy who doesnt want to stand during the Anthem? Fascinating, btw. the wheather today is realy bad, isnt it?

To you the Anthem and the flag may mean a lot of positive Things, to others not or maybe even negative ones. Of Course its a symbol, but to me it seems in america such things are a bit overrated. If someone doesnt like to stand, why should he be forced to do so? Maybe you should visit Austria when we play a socer game against Germany and hear what the crowd does during the Anthem of the other team. I guess if that would happen in a game against america it would be enough to declare war ;-).

Oh, btw. Happy Halloween!

Nobody is forced to stand for our national anthem. Nor should they be, nor will they ever be. A lot of people died for that right and more would die again for everyone to keep this right. Thats just who we are.

Some people try to turn the flag deal into a military one. In fact our flag does not just represent our military and the people who died for our freedom. It also represents every man women and child here. Those that have died for our freedom, those who are serving or have served, business owners, laborers, car salesmen/women, cashiers, police, doctors, landscapers, firemen/women etc.....

imo not standing for our anthem is disrespecting every american here. When I stand for our national anthem at a sporting event, I dont just look at our flag. I also look around at all the people and enjoy that whoever is singing their heart out, is doing so for all these people before me.

So when these guys refuse to stand with the rest of us, in a way they are disrespecting themselves as the flag also represents them. I guess you can say they have a right to disrespect themselves.

As far as the McNair comment, he has a right to free speech and people have a right to protest it. That's whats going on so it's a non issue.

The media has turned this mole hill into a mountain. Ten years ago, teams stayed in the locker room during the anthem, and only stood on the field once the DOD paid the NFL for patriotic displays.

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/pentagon-paid-nfl-displays-patriotism/

I don't sing, put my hand on my heart or even like our national anthem (UK) it doesn't make me any less patriotic, however I am a socialist and labour activist and go on anti racism marches and pro immigration marches as well, I did write a huge 'war and peace' type response to this but deleted it so to avoid this getting messy will opt out of this thread.

Would love to read it. Its your opinion. I might not like it, but it is your opinion. If you can defend your beliefs as well as respect a possible rebuttal, even though you might not like it and how nasty it may get, because of a different opinion, then I'm all in. PM me your "War and Peace" and we can do a Point/Counter Point Debate. Being able to see through another eyes helps one see clearly. And I promise I will not do a "Jane, you ignorant ****."

One untouchable rule
No Family involvement

I don't like what you said and it hurt my feelings is the theme of the current protests.
Never mind that it was a Right under Freedom of Speech
Never mind that it was brought to his attention about how insensitive his remarks could be
Never mind that upon notification, he immediately apologized about his remarks
Never mind that he had a 4 hour closed door meeting with his employees where he again apologized for how insensitive his remarks could be interoperated and opened the floor for discussion for a better understanding of different views
Never mind that even the "Team Spokesman" of the situation initially gave a favorable response towards the results of the closed door meeting
Never mind that the same "Spokesman" led the current protest.....So all the apologizing and open discussions towards improvement was for naught.
To me that was the ultimate slap in the face of respect for his boss as well as himself. It is a shame that an over paid, uneducated, racist hypocrite little snowflake boy millionaire has not grown up.

I come on MFN to unwind and get away from RL and posting my views is not something beneficial to me coming on here.

I'd say the comments refer more to hate speech rather than free speech, though I think the continuing tirade against is ridiculous as it serves no purpose but as an expression of hate. As for the kneeling I agree part of the decision was based in Kaep trying to save his job through public opinion and social media popularity. But the others were actually for the movement that has been in sports for a long time of protesting the anthem because our country is not living up to the standards those symbols are supposed to represent. Thats real patriotism. When you take a stance for your country and try to better it. To say just stand without critically thinking of has our country earned it with its actions lately is blind nationalism, and is supposed to be reserved for places like Russia, Nazi Germany, North Korea etc. Not the USA. Taking a knee to bring attention to something that needs to be improved on is important for our country and patriotism at its finest.