Posted on 09/10/2016 7:26:35 AM PDT by xzins
Tomorrow is the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack ever on American soil. Thousands died in the attack, and many thousands more died in wars that resulted from that attack. Solidarity with the dead drives patriotism in this regard. Our flag and our anthem are symbols of the unity that compels us to stand together in affirmation of those murdered lives and in determination to defend ourselves from those who would wantonly kill us.
Football also unites us in a way. To be sure, the NFL is a pastime. That is, it is a diversion -- a game that people watch to pass the time of day. As a game, it matters not one whit to the vast majority of the world what the NFL does or doesn't do. In terms of normal daily life and history, its championship makes no difference, its records are irrelevant, its play is completely 'here one moment forgot the next'.
It is a game.
At the same time, it is a multi-billion dollar wing of the entertainment business, so there is some impact in the lives of hot dog venders, parking lot attendants, beer salesmen, and tail-gate connoisseurs. It also features curiously paid 'stars' who are rewarded millions of dollars for throwing, pushing, shoving, tackling. But, the money would not be present if Americans didn't watch the sport by the millions. It gets close attention. From grade school to grave, football concerns our culture.
Therefore, the dissonance of professional football intentionally disrespecting our national anthem and flag, symbols of our unity in the face of vicious attack, leads to instant notice. The bottom line in the thoughts of most people is that the disrespectful behavior is rude.
It would be rude to enter my home, knowing that we have prayer before our meals, and choose that moment to launch into a diatribe over your hatred of religion. Better to not accept the invitation to dinner at all. Perhaps it would be wise to excuse yourself at the beginning of the meal for some errand you had overlooked or for a trip to the facilities.
It would be rude to attend a Christian funeral, knowing what is to transpire, and choose that moment to harangue the grief-stricken with your version of anti-religion. Surely it makes more sense simply to attend the visitation only or to send a card. Why impose on the grief stricken with bitter disrespect?
It would be rude to disrupt the annual town parade with its police, veterans, American Legion, and others marching proudly with their flags and banners. Surely your disagreement can more politely be handled with a letter to the editor or with a speech at the town council opposing the tradition.
It is the same with the football players who choose rudeness over understanding. With their access to media, they could voice their opinions and be heard all over the nation. And it would then be so easy for them politely to stay in the clubhouse for the duration of the anthem. Instead, they choose to disrupt, to disrespect, to ridicule, and even to promote injuring public servants.
The NFL allows them to do this. You can bet, though, that if any of the players chose to disrespect issues important to the NFL that the NFL would cite the players' relevant contract clauses and come down on them with a rebuke heard through the ages.
The NFL could require respectful disagreement, because the NFL and all the players are part of a private business. They are not the government.
Instead, the NFL seemingly is encouraging disrespect directed at its own fans who just want to enjoy their pastime and their traditions and their uniting symbols.
It's time to rebuke the NFL. Boycott them. Ignore their radio broadcasts, shun their TV broadcasts, avoid their stadiums, leave their merchandise on the shelves.
Remember, the NFL is simply an amusement. They seem to have forgotten that. We should remind them.
Some might want to boycott only those teams involved in the disrespect. Fine.
As for me, I'm ignoring them all.
boycott the NFL
Already done.
When they have to get real jobs because the money dries up, they might appreciate what they had a little more.
I stopped watching and caring when the Cardinals left St. Louis.
If players do not honor the flag tomorrow during the Nat’l anthem I will be done with the NFL.
Death to the NFL!
Aside from the issue of showing respect for the flag, in my opinion the NFL has become saturated with politics, political correctness, advertising, and too much showboating by overpaid prima donna athletes. Not worth watching anymore.
I started Thursday night.
Didn’t watch or listen to a drop of it.
I won’t until the NFL fixes this. Even then, it’s still just a game.
Makes more sense to boycott games on Fox because the same corporation hires Juan Williams.
The Denver Broncos player has lost his endorsement deal with a local credit union for Air Force employees over his actions. THAT's the sort of response I consider appropriate. Yours, I do not.
It drives home that there is no loyalties, relationships, etc. involved at all, doesn’t it?
If someone needs a football fix, they can go watch their grandkids in peewee ball. More fun, anyway.
I did this a long time ago. Use the time spent watching games to get out and do something for yourself.
Go Blue!
Already started my boycott.
I don’t get the controversy over whether the idiot has the right to refuse to stand for the flag. It is not that at all; it is his lowlife character and stupidity that is the issue.
No.
Done with the NFL. Plenty of other things to do.
I truly despise being lectured to by sports talking heads on political and ethical issues of the day.
Call the game.
Did you read the article?
Yes.
:>)
I did that years ago when they pulled the Super Bowl out of Arizona because we didn’t have a birthday party for Marty.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.