Ultimately, they have that right unless the teams/top level NFL officials etc tell them they can't. (It's not "censorship" unless the GOVERNMENT does it. The NFL already has rules against many forms of "expression" including too much celebrating after scoring a goal, etc.) And many fans are turning away as a result, which is their right; so if the NFL or other such entities want to protect their money supply, they'll need to do something about it pretty quick.

I agree. The sponsors are God in professional sports because they control the money flow . The only difference here is, sponsors won't budge out of fear of looking anti-,expression or anti- whatever, insert your cause here.

It would take one big sponsor to back out to start the domino effect that would force the league's hand. I for one don't mind it but whole teams staying in the locker room rubs me the Wrong way. If you're going to play the game don't be reticent to pick a side.

Well the sponsors look at viewer numbers. If the viewer numbers drop because people turn off the TV in disgust, the sponsors have no reason to pour money into the NFL for no benefit to them.

The NFL players have just as much right to peacefully protest as any other citizen.

I personally stopped standing for the anthem (also stopped reciting the POA) when I was in the 8th grade (1967), It hasn't been easy through the years (especially back then) but I persevered.

Yes, they do have the constitutional right, and their employer has the right to fire them for doing it on company time. Or even privately if the employer so chooses, perhaps also based on their own commercial interests. Nobody has the right to make other people pay for exercising their rights. (Your right to free speech doesn't mean I have to buy you a newspaper, or radio or TV station. Or even have to just listen to you if you're just standing on the sidewalk yelling.) And if their employer is smart, they will start to crack down on it or perhaps go bankrupt (again).

@bratface said:

The NFL players have just as much right to peacefully protest as any other citizen.

I personally stopped standing for the anthem (also stopped reciting the POA) when I was in the 8th grade (1967), It hasn't been easy through the years (especially back then) but I persevered.

Persevered - and accomplished what? I'm serious - what does it accomplish?

The answer to racial divide is not to engage in divisive actions that you know infuriate a huge segment of the population, like disrespecting the Flag and/or National Anthem. If you think a person is being disrespectful, and you want respect, the way to receive it is NOT to spit in their face. You know what that causes? A fight.

This Anthem protest has gone on long enough. It's time to knock it off and do something productive if you really give a crap.

If you support sitting, taking a knee, or boycotting the National Anthem - please tell me, SPECIFICALLY, what it is you want changed. Because this "raising awareness" reason is complete and utter BS. Everyone is aware of what people are ticked about. So now you have the podium. I'm all ears. Tell me specifically what you want changed. Because what it appears to me is, people want bigotry to go away, or what they perceive as bigotry. I've got news for you, you're not just asking, you are begging to be disappointed. You aren't changing how anyone FEELS or THINKS. Not with these actions. Not like this. What this has devolved into is, every time any minority member of society is killed by a police officer, it's an automatic pivot to 'racism'. That kind of absolutism and default judgement is simply absurd and is fueling more problems than it's solving. And it is, in fact, another form of prejudice. Because you are pre-judging the situation. Engaging the the very behavior you hope to eliminate isn't the route to take. But in any event, please - tell me specifically what the goal here is. Because for people who claim to be fighting against 'divisiveness', you really couldn't act more divisive if you tried.

For me, the Flag was draped over my Father's casket. It was folded and given to my Mother by active Servicemen, and it is now with me. I will ALWAYS STAND and respect the Flag and The National Anthem. That's my take.

Again - if we want to work on things - let's get SPECIFIC. Because, again, what's being done now is creating another problem and more divisiveness, not solving those problems.

Lastly, for those who are in the crowd explaining how this isn't disrespectful, I can say this: Yes, it's your right to peacefully protest. But if you have to continually explain to millions why you're not being disrespectful - you're being disrespectful

And there's nothing quite like multi-millionaire athletes "protesting" how unfairly their race is treated.

I read a while back, in the first 9 months of I think it was 2016, there were like 2,000 or more shootings just in Chicago. How many were by police? As I recall, it was less than 20. If "black lives matter," try not killing each other before demanding other people give more respect than you give yourselves. And that includes having more abortions than other groups. People don't realize, that's exactly what Margaret Sanger was hoping for.

I was going to say to take this over to the politics board but then realized this was a different site. Anyways could someone please tell me what singing the national anthem has to do with playing a football game anyways. Then when the singing is over everyone yells and cheers and is off to pound their beers and watch the game. How respectful is that ?

@ArcticFox12 said:

I know this is extremely off topic but I'm interested in your opinions on this polarizing issue. A lot of professional athletes in this country have come under scrutiny for kneeling or taking a knee during the anthem to protest various perceived injustices.

Obviously President Trump put his two cents in and condemned it as "disrespectful". Problem is we don't how much of Trumps opinion is early campaigning /pandering, payback for the way the NFL shafted him when he tried to be an owner, or just outright misdirection to keep our focus off bigger issues. Some people hate it outright and some people invite the protest but detest the method and platform.

What do you guys think? Honestly I could give a **** if you spin around and dump a bucket of applesauce on your head during the anthem, it makes no difference to me what others do. I know I like to stand and cross my heart but if some even in a position of representing a franchise(pro athletes), want to protest that way, good on them.

That's a right the military is supposed to be fighting for. Instead a lot of people are wagging their finger "shame on you" thinking these athletes are disrespecting the military.

What do you think?

Primary Thought: If there were no one there to "take pictures" there would be a LOT LESS "Knee-Dropping" going on.

Secondary Thought: A peaceful protest by a person calling for positive changes .

@znexyish said:

I was going to say to take this over to the politics board but then realized this was a different site. Anyways could someone please tell me what singing the national anthem has to do with playing a football game anyways. Then when the singing is over everyone yells and cheers and is off to pound their beers and watch the game. How respectful is that ?

The fact you have to ask that question is bizarre. It's not got anything to do with a football game. It's a separate act. It's pretty self evident. It's a tradition to honor our country. Many take it as a moment to honor our Flag, Anthem, and Vets too. What does saying the Pledge of Allegiance in the morning before classes have to do with school? Same thing.

Now, does it go overboard? Perhaps. I really don't dig the whole singing of "GOD BLESS AMERICA" during the 7th inning stretch on Sundays, on Opening Day, and during every playoff game (and every single Yankee game). We get it - we love America. That bothers me because it disrupts the flow of the baseball game. You don't stop in the middle of the 3rd quarter of a basketball game to sing a tune.

Perhaps you could tell us how signing the National Anthem is disrespectful. I've never heard that POV before. Ever. Do you think it's bad just at football games? Or at baseball/basketball/hockey as well? These are sporting events. Not death matches at the Coliseum.

@Knixon said:

Well the sponsors look at viewer numbers. If the viewer numbers drop because people turn off the TV in disgust, the sponsors have no reason to pour money into the NFL for no benefit to them.

The NFL is a coveted tv product fueled by Gambling. The three highest rated events on television yearly are pretty much always three football games. As long as there are Gambling and fantasy leagues the ratings/veiwership will never decline by any significant level.

They're making more money than they know what to do with, the NFL and Vegas. Sponsors are going nowhere.

And what logical reason do the employers , the owners, have to fire players that are the subject of fantasy and gambling , the very existence of which make the league profitable in the first place?

At least try to make sense, Kerry.

@censorshipsucks06 said:

The answer to racial divide is not to engage in divisive actions that you know infuriate a huge segment of the population, like disrespecting the Flag and/or National Anthem. If you think a person is being disrespectful, and you want respect, the way to receive it is NOT to spit in their face. You know what that causes? A fight.

This Anthem protest has gone on long enough. It's time to knock it off and do something productive if you really give a crap.

If you support sitting, taking a knee, or boycotting the National Anthem - please tell me, SPECIFICALLY, what it is you want changed. Because this "raising awareness" reason is complete and utter BS. Everyone is aware of what people are ticked about. So now you have the podium. I'm all ears. Tell me specifically what you want changed. Because what it appears to me is, people want bigotry to go away, or what they perceive as bigotry. I've got news for you, you're not just asking, you are begging to be disappointed. You aren't changing how anyone FEELS or THINKS. Not with these actions. Not like this. What this has devolved into is, every time any minority member of society is killed by a police officer, it's an automatic pivot to 'racism'. That kind of absolutism and default judgement is simply absurd and is fueling more problems than it's solving. And it is, in fact, another form of prejudice. Because you are pre-judging the situation. Engaging the the very behavior you hope to eliminate isn't the route to take. But in any event, please - tell me specifically what the goal here is. Because for people who claim to be fighting against 'divisiveness', you really couldn't act more divisive if you tried.

For me, the Flag was draped over my Father's casket. It was folded and given to my Mother by active Servicemen, and it is now with me. I will ALWAYS STAND and respect the Flag and The National Anthem. That's my take.

Again - if we want to work on things - let's get SPECIFIC. Because, again, what's being done now is creating another problem and more divisiveness, not solving those problems.

Lastly, for those who are in the crowd explaining how this isn't disrespectful, I can say this: Yes, it's your right to peacefully protest. But if you have to continually explain to millions why you're not being disrespectful - you're being disrespectful

Censorship, once again great response, very detailed and insightful.

A lot of what you said I agree with especially the parts about automatic pivots to racism. I do think there are some issues with police letting thier preconceived ideas about minorities itch thier trigger finger in tense situations but I also believe a lot of those incidents are completely unrelated to race . Police brutality appears to be the main reason for these protests but if we're being completely transparent here, most of these athletes are kneeling now because it's a trend or because Trump insulted them and called them "sons of bitches".

The raising awareness excuse is a smokescreen. My Irish/English family is as patriotic as they come and none of us would ever kneel for the anthem. To me that anthem represents the changes we wish to see made in this country so we take those few minutes when the anthem is played to appreciate that .

Hey foxy, my only regret about getting engaged is that now I can't marry YOU.😝

@CalabrianQueen said:

Hey foxy, my only regret about getting engaged is that now I can't marry YOU.😝

Erica trust me, I'm about twenty years out of my prime. I wouldn't be of any use to you. 😏