Do the NFL/professional athletes sitting & kneeling during the National Anthem bother you?

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 06:55:48 -0400

I got it, you have the right to freedom of speech, but when you are a "professional" and a "role model" is there more expected from you? Is it from this platform that it now becomes you responsibility where you MUST act as that role model? I am interested in your thoughts.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Sep 12 at 2016 6:59 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 06:59:50 -0400

Although they are entitled to their opinion, I don't think it's cool to sit out the national anthem..ever! Represent your team and country....stand during the Anthem! Thanks for the poll CSM Michael J. Uhlig

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 7:30 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 07:30:37 -0400

Many teams have clauses in their athletes contracts that if they behave poorly, they will be released. The NBA started this (I think) after Latrell Spreewell chocked out his coach (boss) at practice (work). There was no legal means to address workplace violence in the NBA! So a character clause was added to contracts. Now, if the 49ers really thought this was poor behavior, they would tell their players (employees) how to act IOT represent their franchise in their parent organization (NFL).
I agree with freedom of speech but just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Freedom comes with consequences of action and the NFL's silence is notable.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 12 at 2016 7:57 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 07:57:36 -0400

What do I care what some dipshit millionaire does.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 12 at 2016 8:17 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 08:17:03 -0400

First off, professional athletes are not role models (well shouldn't be). Second, the freedom of expression is the cornerstone of liberty. I think it is great that they can protest the government and society in such a way without fear or arrest or worse even if I disagree with the manner in which they do it. However, the freedom to do something is not freedom from consequences. They are employees of an organization and if their actions violate their contract (which I am sure has a unilateral termination clause in it), then their employment can be terminated. That is matter between them and not my concern.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Sep 12 at 2016 8:39 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 08:39:01 -0400

To answer the question yes. 30 plus years served and still serving. Reason...find another avenue to protest. The anthem and flag don't represent the govt...it represents the Republic. CSM Michael J. Uhlig

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Sep 12 at 2016 9:13 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 09:13:16 -0400

Just because you HAVE the right to do something doesn't mean that it *IS* the right thing to do! Using your platform for this "demonstration" is wrong. I didn't vote in the poll because I think the answer is that you stand and respect the Flag/Anthem because you are an AMERICAN - period - not because you represent a team or organization.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 12 at 2016 9:21 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 09:21:15 -0400

Yes, we all have the freedom to do pretty much whatever we want within reason. But as they are representatives of an organization whether it be the NFL as a whole or their individual teams, they should act accordingly. Everyone is free to have their own platform and if they have a message to spread, then they should use their own personal platform to spread their message. They are role models after all and should act like it.

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 12 at 2016 9:35 AM

SFC George Smith — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 09:35:46 -0400

it is a display of Disrespect... and it has only gotten worse since The current Regime took Power...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 10:33 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 10:33:34 -0400

It bothers me but I support them exercising their First Amendment Rights.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 12:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 12:18:33 -0400

It's there right just like every other American has the freedom. As long as it's peaceful who cares? I have lost a few really close friends in a few deployments but to me what you do doesn't affect how I feel about anything. I think they are pushing a great issue we have not saying I would sit but if you haven't experienced it you wouldn't understand

Response by Steven Brown made Sep 12 at 2016 1:22 PM

Steven Brown — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 13:22:46 -0400

Honestly, it doesn't bother me and here's why. I believe the "objective interpretation", as opposed to the liberal, "subjective interpretation", in the Constitution of the United States of America. Many of our brave men and women in uniform have died to defend and protect it. But I also believe in what my good friend, CMSrgt Mark Schubert (aka "Chief") says about it: "...Just because you HAVE the right to do something doesn't mean that it *IS* the right thing to do..." In a bit of irony, the same people who "demand" respect are the very same people who don't “reciprocate” it. And this is what I had to say about it as far as Colon[sic] Kaepernick:

"... Hey Colin Kaepernick,

I don't even give a damn if you "DO" stand for The National Anthem. What makes you think I give a damn if you "DON'T"?...”

It’s his right just as it is my right to ignore him, to boycott him, including, but not limited to, his franchise and his endorsements. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction (a physics phenomenon). Actions have consequences. I certainly hope he is prepared to live with them.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 3:26 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 15:26:33 -0400

It does because they are ones that have benefited greatly from our free society.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Sep 12 at 2016 3:36 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 15:36:34 -0400

What they should have done was have national anthem before they brought out the team.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 3:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 15:51:31 -0400

Your statement brings to mind Charles Barkley's "I am not a role model" speech. While I do realize they are in the public eye and they should behave with that in mind, they shouldn't be expected to restrict themselves in their *legal* expression of their Constitutional rights.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Sep 12 at 2016 6:35 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 18:35:04 -0400

I really couldn't care less what some over paid asshat says/does/thinks. Every Veteran who has ever worn the uniform has bought and paid for the freedoms we enjoy in America today. That includes the right to act like a total jackass in public. That being said.... I think anyone receiving in excess of $500,000 today has lost any credibility when they complain of "inequality".

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 6:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 18:39:44 -0400

Who cares? I don't care what those overpaid primadonnas do. They get paid millions to play a game. They get paid millions in endorsement money to wear shoes etc.
That's why I don't watch "pro" sports. Now back to my homemade chili Mac. FYI. If you fry up some bacon and crumble it up and add it to it along with some Texas Pete hot sauce......that is a meal

Response by CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 made Sep 12 at 2016 6:56 PM

CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 18:56:57 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig When those jocks are such role models that their jerseys, ect are prized by fans, they should consider how the fans interpet their actions!

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Sep 12 at 2016 7:54 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 19:54:39 -0400

I respect the Constitution in which we all pledged our lives to defend. You want to take a personal stand against the NFL - stop watching the games, stop going, stop buying their products. This is also your right!

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Sep 12 at 2016 9:12 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 21:12:03 -0400

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Sep 13 at 2016 7:44 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 19:44:22 -0400

As an American they have the right to sit on their asses all they want during the national Anthem or during a game. We as American Veterans have the right not to watch any game they play in and not to purchase any product they support. The missing dollars will wake them up real fast....

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Sep 14 at 2016 3:22 PM

SFC Marcus Belt — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 15:22:52 -0400

As a Soldier and an African-American, I respect our flag, but, the flag is NOT the ideals; the flag represents the ideals of the nation, and without those ideals, then the flag itself is just a piece of cloth.

If people are being killed unjustly by authorities working under the aegis of government authority, which is the more egregious sin: unjust killings, or the action taken to bring attention to the unjust killings?

If you accept that there are currently an inordinately high number of unjustified police shootings, then, by extension, that would be a more serious affront to the flag than any reasonable non-violent protest.

Response by COL Sam Russell made Sep 20 at 2016 7:51 AM

COL Sam Russell — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 07:51:30 -0400

Progression--progress--is a constant struggle. We recognize that, as a species, we are fallible. It is the history of mankind, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion. As we progress toward an ideal, be it "Land of the free, home of the brave," or "Liberty and justice for all," or "All men are created equal," or "Liberté, égalité, fraternité," we will always be beset by regression, through our own frailty, distrust, bigotry, &c.

Some studies have suggested that we are wired, from the time we are born, to learn which faces to trust--our parents who look like us and protect us--and who not to trust--strangers who don't look like us. Thus our progressive struggle to be inclusive, accepting, diverse, and trustful of those who don't look like us, talk like us, or worship like us, is, in fact, an internal struggle against our most basic human makeup, a genetic protective mechanism evolved within us over millennia. We literally are wired to be bigoted.

Being inclusive, accepting of diversity, empathetic with those from different cultures, rubs against our innate grain. It is a struggle that every generation before us has faced, often failing miserably, and, more importantly, it is a struggle that every future generation will have to face. Let's hope they do better.

If I were a child psychologist I would include a link to Stranger Anxiety. I'm a historian, so following is a link to a historical look at our ongoing debate over our National Anthem.

https://theintercept.com/2016/09/13/more-proof-the-u-s-national-anthem-has-always-been-tainted-with-racism/

For the record, my upbringing has wired me to look with disdain at any American who doesn't stand during the National Anthem. It's just who I am, and I'm getting too damn old to change.

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More Proof the U.S. National Anthem Has Always Been Tainted With Racism

Our current difficulty in facing our past honestly and soberly strongly suggests that we are still a long way from laying it to rest.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Sep 29 at 2017 11:58 AM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 11:58:41 -0400

Any veterans who is anger about this is a hypocrite. I know for a fact that many if not all veterans have at one time or another rushed inside a building when the 5 minute warning is played before colors or taps. So spare us the hypocrisy.

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Sep 29 at 2017 12:49 PM

SFC Dennis A. — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 12:49:58 -0400

I don't really care what you are protesting I just don't understand how the National Anthem can be the blame. To me it is as disrespectful as not stopping for a funeral procession.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2017 12:51 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 12:51:20 -0400

I see this question was posed a year ago, before all this blew up.
For what it is worth, I think that people are entitled to express their views, protest, or speak out how they wish. Having consequences for that is part and parcel to that expression.
Unfortunately, what message there was behind all of this is lost when it becomes fashionable to protest the national anthem as some form of pushing back on Trump.
Much like all of the flag lapel pins after 9/11, I am afraid this is simply a fashion statement, and not an expression of a desire for change.

Funny thing about protests, the point of them is trying to affect some kind of change. What change will this kneeling business gain? Nada, probably.
The hell of it is, all these NFL players have a ton of personal resources in the form of salary, celebrity, and a platform to actually go out and make a difference in their communities. Many players have charitable foundations for various causes.
Let's see them put their money where their mouth is, and make a real difference in their community.
That would be something I can get behind.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 6 at 2017 1:54 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 01:54:36 -0400

They won't keep their jobs long if they drive the paying customers away.

Response by AA Joseph Moody made Oct 6 at 2017 11:55 AM

AA Joseph Moody — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:55:21 -0400

I spent a weekend looking up the criminal background of football players and at this point I'm asking if it is ethical to watch football. I like to think of things in terms of dollar-votes. And yeah I know people are messed up all over and I get it, but it sends a message when teams overlook criminal charges and sign people...it sends a message.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for a degree of live and let live and I'm not going to say that we should damn someone over a traffic ticket but on the other hand I do think a felony conviction should disqualify players from playing.

And now that that is said, when I see players kneeling and I spend some time googling their info and finding out how many of them have been brought up on drug,sex, weapon, assault charges and the like...quite frankly I am unimpressed by their statement.

Response by MAJ Joshua Entrekin made May 29 at 2018 3:42 PM

MAJ Joshua Entrekin — Tue, 29 May 2018 15:42:13 -0400

I fought for their right to express themselves. Them not standing is their right (i dont agree) I know their kneeling is not in protest of our flag but something else so i'm not offended.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 29 at 2018 6:13 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 29 May 2018 18:13:47 -0400

Patriotism is not forcing people to show respect to your flag. Instead, the country should endeavor to be worthy of respect, via its actions, laws and policies, so that people WANT to render honors.

Response by SPC Vic Pownall made Aug 20 at 2018 2:52 PM

SPC Vic Pownall — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 14:52:37 -0400

Everyone here is a Veteran. We all know that any of us would willingly give our lives to defend it. I recognize it is their right to protest but I still think it's wrong. Though it hasn't always been the case, today's military is colorblind. They teach you to judge a man by the content of his heart, not the color of his skin. All of us have experienced a level of brotherhood with people across virtually every ethnic background on this earth. In some cases, we are closer to these men than our own siblings. There are better ways to protest racial injustice suffered by minorities at the hands of law enforcement than disrespecting the flag.

Response by PVT Ted Rodosovich made Mar 25 at 2022 12:45 PM

PVT Ted Rodosovich — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 12:45:48 -0400

Non-violence, non-discrimination, non-hate,... Other forms of "non" free speech?

Response by PVT Ted Rodosovich made Mar 25 at 2022 12:48 PM

PVT Ted Rodosovich — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 12:48:20 -0400

Re contracts that prohibit, what if conflict with constitutional right?

Response by LCpl Jason Sinley made Oct 7 at 2023 5:25 PM

LCpl Jason Sinley — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 17:25:10 -0400

While freedom of speech is a cornerstone of this country, when you are on a team or part of an organization, your behavior and speech must be in line with the team/organization you are representing. This is not the time for you to push your personal feelings, beliefs, and opinions.

Response by SPC David C. made Oct 24 at 2023 11:50 AM

SPC David C. — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 11:50:53 -0400

Not at all. I stopped watching professional sports years ago so I don't care what they do.

Response by Bethina Lee made Jul 18 at 2024 12:33 AM

Bethina Lee — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 00:33:45 -0400

Politics and personal choice/opinion should not be in the workforce(no matter how much you get paid)..it also goes with religion. Also with whatever you do in the bedroom..of course you're going to stir up a shitst@rm whenever you speak out or demonstrate your political choices or other extremely personal choices. Deal with the repercussions of your choices and actions; just because you exercise your Freedom of Speech and all related to it, does not necessarily protect you from public fallouts.