I voted with my wallet........

Gofirstclass

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Apr 20, 2010
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Tri Cities, WA
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At the beginning of the Seahawks/Titans game today both teams elected to remain in the locker rooms until after the singing of the National Anthem.

I didn't realize it until I had switched over from the other game I was watching, and my wife read a short blurb about it and read Pete Carroll's statement.

I feel every player and coach has a right to speak out and/or protest about whatever the cause du jour is. When they choose to do that protest by not being present for the National Anthem that pi$$es me off. They are causing an affront to our country, the very country that affords them the opportunity to make millions of dollars a year, and the country that I spent 7.5 years defending during the Vietnam war era. .

So, I voted with my wallet. I turned off the damned TV, took down the "12" flag I have flown for every game and went to Costco. Fugem. My small protest may go unnoticed by the NFL, but if enough people who are offended put their principles ahead of their enjoyment of watching a bunch of spoiled millionaires play their sport, maybe the NFL and others will take notice.

Attendance across the NFL is down this year. http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-a...ce-down-2017-9 Maybe the NFL is going to realize that people vote with their wallets. We are already tired of paying $50 for parking, $150 for a seat, $15 for a beer and $15 for a hot dog.

Now please notice that I did not address what Trump tweeted about this. I don't care about his opinion. I also didn't comment about what Goodell and the team owners said in response to Trump. I don't care.

Please don't turn this into a Republican vs Democrat thread. That's not what it was intended to be.


NFL RULES!! The specific rule pertaining to the national anthem is found on pages A62-63 of the league rulebook. It states:

The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.

“During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.”


So, according to this, the sitters, kneelers, and disrespectful should be punished accordingly.

So, Goodell, are you going to follow your own rules or continue to be the wimp you are appearing to be?

Comments?
 
None!

I completely agree with you! I refuse to watch another game! It's the only way I can protest!

I thank ALL that have served both the US and CS. Many of my kin lost their lives fighting for VA
 
So the logic goes that kneeling, sitting on your ass, sleeping, staying in the locker room, raising your fist or locking arms during the National Anthem means something other than disrespect.

I see it as the next step that started two decades ago with schools dropping the Pledge of Allegiance because God was referenced and small groups of people were offended. It is just easier for institutions to stop saying the Pledge or singing the National Anthem than provide a national stage for unfettered ignorance. For that matter, we should also get rid of all the monuments the country has since they eventually will offend someone.

We seem to live in an age where history, duty, courage and honor offends some people. Well, standing and facing the flag means something to vast number of Americans who believe that this country represents what is best in this world. Many sacrificed their lives so that we and other countries can have the luxury of freedom. It is a modern day tragedy that multi-million dollar US professional athletes can be so disingenuous. Shame on them, the media and those that have no sense of a purpose greater than themselves.

I'm with you.....if the guys that own the sport franchises won't step up.....my TV stays off. After all.....it will give me more time to spend boating.
 
As a Patriots fan as much as I hate to do it I will find something else to do next weekend and take it week by week until this crap stops. (The Red Sox are doing great). Bunch of unappreciative morons. Sure Trump may lack tact in his delivery that's no excuse for disgracing the flag and this country that affords you the extraordinary opportunity to many times more dollars than you would otherwise. Grow up and I'll tune back in.
 
I agree 100%. NFL means "No Freaking Love" from me anymore. No more "purple Fridays", no hats, no T-shirts, no TV, no radio. I refuse to participate until these punks cut it out.

The real insult is when the media starts calling the reaction to the divisiveness divisive instead of the original act. Kraperneck started the divisiveness, plain and simple. He's a real, modern day Benedict Arnold. If any team does sign him, I'll be done for life and not just a single season. Your pick, Goodell. Choose wisely.

I never watched the NBA so I don't have to boycott them for being idiots. I quit following MLB in 94 after the lockout and 13 years later, I don't feel like I've missed a damn thing. It looks like I'll have to be a hockey fan from now on as soccer is simply not an option.
 
Remember, many products you buy also sponsor the NFL. I started sending emails to companies that sponsor the NFL, I won't be buying their products any longer.
 
At the beginning of the Seahawks/Titans game today both teams elected to remain in the locker rooms until after the singing of the National Anthem.

I didn't realize it until I had switched over from the other game I was watching, and my wife read a short blurb about it and read Pete Carroll's statement.

I feel every player and coach has a right to speak out and/or protest about whatever the cause du jour is. When they choose to do that protest by not being present for the National Anthem that pi$$es me off. They are causing an affront to our country, the very country that affords them the opportunity to make millions of dollars a year, and the country that I spent 7.5 years defending during the Vietnam war era. .

So, I voted with my wallet. I turned off the damned TV, took down the "12" flag I have flown for every game and went to Costco. Fugem. My small protest may go unnoticed by the NFL, but if enough people who are offended put their principles ahead of their enjoyment of watching a bunch of spoiled millionaires play their sport, maybe the NFL and others will take notice.

Attendance across the NFL is down this year. http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-a...ce-down-2017-9 Maybe the NFL is going to realize that people vote with their wallets. We are already tired of paying $50 for parking, $150 for a seat, $15 for a beer and $15 for a hot dog.

Now please notice that I did not address what Trump tweeted about this. I don't care about his opinion. I also didn't comment about what Goodell and the team owners said in response to Trump. I don't care.

Please don't turn this into a Republican vs Democrat thread. That's not what it was intended to be.


NFL RULES!! The specific rule pertaining to the national anthem is found on pages A62-63 of the league rulebook. It states:

The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.

“During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.”


So, according to this, the sitters, kneelers, and disrespectful should be punished accordingly.

So, Goodell, are you going to follow your own rules or continue to be the wimp you are appearing to be?

Comments?
If it was the NE Patriots, Goodell would be all over it!
 
I'm done, I'll be dam if I'm going to watch a bunch of millionaires disrespect the flag that all the great men and women of this country have died for. People need to get off their ass and send them a message where it counts, their billfold..........I'm not watching another game I hope the NFL goes bankrupt over this bullshit.........
 
I don't tweet or FB or any of those other things but somehow these feelings and comments need to be expressed on those levels as well
 
What the hell are they protesting? All this imagined oppression and hating on this great country is so out of control.

I do not even watch the news anymore, haven't for a few years. I will not be spoon fed some idiots' version of reality.

The NFL had no problem smacking down Tebow and others but they sanction this foolishness?
 
Finally some comments from people that I know will speak sanely....

This issue is no longer about the cause....the media has made it about the method of protest. I believe in Freedom of Speech as much as the next guy but, at this point the media, and most NFL fans, don't give 2 shits about the cause. We went through this when the first person burned the flag publically 20 years ago and it made the news. What was that guy protesting? Don't remember....all I remember is some asshole burned a flag on TV. The players don't seem to realize that they are invalidating the reason for their protest with their method of protest.

If Colin Kaepernick, truly a man of questionable intelligence, had called a press conference and stated, "....I've asked everyone here so that I can proclaim my displeasure and disgust of the treatment of blacks by the police, blah, blah, blah...." People may have said, "Hmmm...Well thought out comments." However, he chose, as usual, to speak before thinking of the long term effects his kneeling, for the singing of the National Anthem pre-game, might have as it relates to the big picture.

I also don't want to see this discussion about President Trump or the divide in the political system. Nor do I want it to become a racial thing either. BUT....the people of color, who are demanding equality in our society have been doing so since the first African slave got off the boat. And we've seen great changes in racial equality through the years. I'm 67 years old, I lived through race riots of the '60s and '70s. I watched black friends assaulted and beaten by whites and I watched white friends assaulted and beaten by blacks....40 years ago. And here we are fighting the same fight. But there has been change....so much change. In fact....the first black player entered the NFL 1946 but he was never paid what white players were paid. I would say that much has changed with today's salaries for black athletes.

Here's something else that has changed. For some reason blacks seem to want it to be OK to tell the police to piss off, they will not comply with commands. Is that the equal rights they want? I don't have that right so how is that equal? Oh wait, I guess we all have that right....as long as we understand there may be an ass-whippin' ....or worse, as the consequences for making that choice. Maybe I'm just an ignorant old geezer but I just don't understand where today's youth came up with the belief of being "Entitled." I wish things would just go back to what I recall was normal. I wish someone would just take a stand and declare, "ENOUGH!" Unfortunately I just don't see this coming to any resolution anytime soon.

At this point I will apologize to all of my Club Sea Ray friends for my rant and go out to the garage and put some more varnish on teak. Respectfully....I'm out.

Shawn
 
Trump has the balls to call it like it is and you see how that's working out for him.
 
I am not much of a NFL fan, never have been - I was at the lake and happily missed all of the theatrics. The whole flag, taking a knee during the national anthem is just BS. I am not military, I am not rich, I am not poor, and I am not a celebrity, I am just a plain old American who's Navy veteran father taught him to stand, remove my hat, and place my hand over my heart during the national anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance we, actually did that every morning in school - the whole school went out side and stood at attention while the flag was raised - it was an honor to get picked to raise and lower the flag each day. (You would go to jail for that today!). I think the NASCAR owners Richard Childress and Richard Petty summed things up Sunday - their message to their drivers and teams were pull a no show or sit out during the national anthem and you'll get a Greyhound ticket home - but I don't think they had to tell their guys anything, I guess a different culture than football. If you can't put your issues aside for 3min and stand with your had over your heart for the national anthem, well that just tells me all I need to know about you.
 
I invested a career in law enforcement in defending the Constitution and protecting my community without regard to race or religion or political affiliation. I witnessed police officers uphold laws correctly time and time again and get spit on for their efforts; I also witnessed them being treated with great respect at times. I know great officers, good officers, and some lousy officers. Most officers I've met are unsung heroes to me. I've buried friends who have been killed in the line of duty. I worked Internal Affairs for several years and participated in charging/firing officers that betrayed their oath and community. I don't like what I see unfolding in this great country. To me, the U.S. flag is a representation of the promise of opportunity for all in America, it is the protection of one's right to protest the government, and it should be respected always. The NFL is off the rails. I won't watch another second of NFL football until they get their shit together - they have a right to protest, I suppose, and I exercise my right to tune them out. God Bless the men and women that fought for my right to post these comments on a public forum.
 
I agree 100%. NFL means "No Freaking Love" from me anymore. No more "purple Fridays", no hats, no T-shirts, no TV, no radio. I refuse to participate until these punks cut it out.

The real insult is when the media starts calling the reaction to the divisiveness divisive instead of the original act. Kraperneck started the divisiveness, plain and simple. He's a real, modern day Benedict Arnold. If any team does sign him, I'll be done for life and not just a single season. Your pick, Goodell. Choose wisely.

I never watched the NBA so I don't have to boycott them for being idiots. I quit following MLB in 94 after the lockout and 13 years later, I don't feel like I've missed a damn thing. It looks like I'll have to be a hockey fan from now on as soccer is simply not an option.

The NFL might mean "No Fans Left" shortly.
 
Also I am thinking about recording the games so I can watch the commercials to boycott and contact the various sponsors.
 
No disagreement Mike with what you posted! Strong agreement.

It's not about race - it is about respecting our country, our flag, our national anthem.

Are there problems in a given city police department, a county law enforcement, or a given location - maybe.

What I have observed is that when issues have surfaced the local District Attorney has dealt with it - as they should.

is there a .01 % or .001% of law enforcement who is out of line? Probably - we are dealing with imperfect humans. The end of the day - the local environment has dealt with it - not a federal issue.

What we see with NFL players kneeling is a protest against the USA and what it stands for. Find another country where a 22 year old can get a multimillion contract to play ball. If you can find it - then I would say to the player move there and play ball.

When a player takes the money to play pro ball - they have to accept they are a role model. And act accordingly. If the team owners or the league is not willing to address - then we vote with our attendance or watching.

This is a misplaced protest.

We have a President who was elected. I expect and appreciate a President who is willing to go on the record defending our flag, our anthem, and our country.

just my thoughts...
 
I am a hardcore Steelers fan but looks like I may have a few extra free hours on my Sundays this winter. Tomlin said if the whole team can't agree then they all stay in the locker room??? If you can't all agree then you default to that? Why not default to the norm until you figure it out? And he said he wanted the whole team to be unified in this? By leaving Alejandro Villenueva (who by the way fought so his teammates have the opportunity to make millions) on the field by himself? He is the only real hero here. Tomlin then said after the game that he wanted 100% participation, singling out Villanueva. So today Villanueva has a press conference saying it was his fault it happened the way it did. Come on! Pretty sure Tomlin was behind that speech. He said they were all supposed to come out but he went too early and then the media got in the way and the rest of the team didn't make it out in time and didn't want to come out in the middle of the anthem. They said next week they will be on the field for the anthem. Too late.

I understand Tomlin didn't speak for all the players but he has been classless since being hired and there is a serious lack of discipline on that team since he has been there. Remember Tomlin tripping Jacoby Jones on a punt return a few years ago? They said today that Villanuevas jersey is now the #1 selling jersey in the NFL...lol. Sounds like many spoke with their wallets.

I don't care if you love or hate Trump or his comments. Our flag and anthem is not the place to voice your protests. Find another way. With social media as popular as it is post a video or something. Do not disrespect our flag or our veterans.

I may have watched my last Steeler game until Tomlin is gone. Ben did come out today and say they may not have thought that out as well as they should have. You think???

On another note, what is this teaching our kids? We have already seen high schoolers kneeling during the anthem. If anything these athletes should be saying to our kids, hey you can protest but do it respectfully. The message they are sending now is do whatever it takes to get your message across, no matter who it hurts or what the consequences are.

I am sickened and embarrassed to say I am a Steeler fan. Hope they lose the rest of their games this year.
 
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