[Woodworkers] I'm done with the NFL

[Brian Johnson]

Hey Dave -

So I'm going to play a bit of Devil's Advocate on this one.

As Americans we are given a set of innate rights. The first of which is 
"Freedom of Speech". This freedom includes the right to protest, and 
isn't limited to the poor, downtrodden, nor the rich and successful. 
It's a right we all share. This includes NFL players making WAY, WAY too 
much money (on that we totally agree).

The NFL, as an organization, is also awarded this Freedom. If the NFL 
were to start limiting the freedoms of it's players they would be 
stomping on the rights that so many have fought and died to protect. 
While I don't agree with what Kaepernick started, I don't have a problem 
with him protesting in his own way. It's his right. There is nothing in 
the constitution that states we MUST stand and MUST place our hand on 
our heart during the anthem or we will be forced to leave the country. 
In fact, the right to NOT do so is protected under that first amendment.

When our President stepped up onto his podium (twitter) and directly 
attacked the right to that protest, he was stepping outside the rights 
of the office he was elected to. He has the privilege to represent the 
United States and the Freedoms we all value, but he instead decided to 
throw dirt on those Freedoms. While the entirety of the NFL (players, 
staff, C-levels) likely don't agree with what Kaepernick was doing, they 
do agree that he has the right to protest in his way. The NFL decided to 
take a stand behind that Freedom. They aren't backing Kaepernick and 
what he stood for. They are backing his RIGHT to do what he was doing. 
They are showing a unified front against tyranny, the tyranny of our 
President directly stating that Kaepernick shouldn't be allowed to do 
what he was doing.

Kaepernick's actions are not dissimilar to the right to burn the flag. 
That right has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Most of us don't agree 
with it, but it's being done as an extreme measure to bring attention to 
something that somebody believes strongly in. In this case, Kaepernick 
believes that African Americans are mistreated in the United States. Is 
he right? Probably. Is his form of protest the way to go about it?

Consider this: We are all talking about it. He has forced an entire 
nation, even the world, to have a conversation about something that 
nobody was talking about previously. If 50,000 people from Harlem march 
in protest, it's briefly mentioned on the news and we all move on. But 
when a couple thousand rich folks link arms in solidarity? Funny how 
there is suddenly tons of attention on the subject.

I, for one, applaud the NFL for not stomping on the rights of it's 
players and giving them the opportunity to institute real change, to be 
role models, to show that the voice of one person really can make a 
difference. I come from a family of veterans. My Grandpa was in WWII, my 
Dad was in Germany during Korea, both his brother served in the military 
during (relative) peacetime, my brother was in the Air Force during 9/11 
and for years after, I was unlucky enough to not be able to serve. I 
respect every single individual that makes the choice to put on that 
uniform and make a stand for Freedom in the world. But, this is exactly 
what they fight for every single day. The right to do what Kaepernick, 
and subsequently the entirety of the NFL, have done.

That said, you also have the right to turn off the TV and make a stand 
against the NFL. :)

-Brian





Dave Heitstuman via Woodworkers wrote:
> First I am not a gotta watch it type of football fan. But I do pay
> attention and when NASCAR is over I will watch the SeaChickens. If they
> have the early game I generally will have the second game on. Although I
> am not allowed to watch with my wife as I have a tendency to yell at the TV.
>
> Kappernick started my disdain for the NFL when they said nothing. Then
> Bennett started his little protest, which made me start thinking about
> not watching the SeaChickens.
>
> This weekend the NFL takes a stand. Well guess what NFL. Take your
> stand. I am too. There will be no football on any TV in our household. I
> hope your sponsors appreciate this.
>
> I have said for years that the players are paid way too much. If they
> feel that they need to protest then take some of that money and start a
> worthwhile endeavor to get your message out. Who knows maybe I’ll even
> support it.
>
> In the meantime, when the national anthem starts, stand your ass up and
> respect the flag.
>
> Better yet take a lesson from NASCAR, sure it is basically a bunch of
> southern boys and hillbillies but guess what they stand with their hats
> off and hands over their hearts during the singing. At the end the
> cheer. Why? Because they are true Americans.
>
> At our local track the Canadians come down a couple of times a year. The
> Canadian national anthem is played first, we stand and respect their
> flag. And they stand and respect our flag. Respect, that is what it is
> about.
>
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