Posted on Sep 12, 2016
Do the NFL/professional athletes sitting & kneeling during the National Anthem bother you?
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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.
NFL
National Anthem
Freedom of Speech
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 35
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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.
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Suspended Profile
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.
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.
SSG (Join to see)
I think we can both agree that there is a well-defined difference between an act of workplace violence and a peaceful protest.
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Suspended Profile
Of course there is, that's not the point.
CPT Joseph Ogulin
This is entirely how I framed my argument any time someone asked me about it. This is an employer (NFL and Team) vs employee (Player) issue and cannot be resolved by a bunch of armchair quarterbacks and talking heads. Look up their contracts and the collective bargaining agreement. Look for an employee code of conduct. If this issue is not specifically addressed in there, then STFU and let them worry about it per these contracts. The only people the government can give an order/directive to on personal deportment during the Pledge of Allegiance or the performing of the National Anthem are members of the military and the civilian employees. For everyone else it is a suggestion or the freedoms that we all fought for mean absolutely nothing.
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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
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SFC James William Bolt [ 40 Yards ]
Young women@ men died under that flag and that song for your right to protest . You cross the line and make the protest that you are involved in mean nothing for what they have done for you to make that protest in the first place sign 40 yards
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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.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
Nope. Not once. Never. As a matter of fact, I deliberately went OUTSIDE whenever I heard the 5 minute warning and my duties would allow. And hemmed up anyone I saw trying to dodge saluting OUR flag.
But I do agree that any vet who has a problem is a hypocrite. Because we all swore to support and defend the Constitution. Which includes the 1st Amendment. I don't have to AGREE WITH your peaceful protest. But I do have to support your right to do so.
But I do agree that any vet who has a problem is a hypocrite. Because we all swore to support and defend the Constitution. Which includes the 1st Amendment. I don't have to AGREE WITH your peaceful protest. But I do have to support your right to do so.
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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.
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.
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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
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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!
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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".
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What they should have done was have national anthem before they brought out the team.
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