Well I am about done with the NFL
- Thread starter sammyk
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Are you part of the offended generation or, is this just different because what offends you is what counts?
Listen, I get it with the reason for protesting, I truly do. However, the problem becomes when they use "it's my constitutional right" for doing so. Do they know how many people died and put their lives on the line so they can have that right? It's a slap in the face of all the Men and Women who served their country and especially in battle.
The players aren't even out on the field for the National Anthem in college.
I suspect that varies from school to school.....but you're right, in the vast majority of cases that's true!
It's funny watching people get so upset over this. The National Anthem is so oversaturated in sports anyway that it loses all meaning. Most people stand out of habit, not due to any feelings of patriotism.
No not going to watch protesters who make millions of dollars complain about injustices, I feel the same way when movie stars pitch a fit and protest. . And college football players not out there for the Anthem really last Wake Forest game I went to they were.
Personally I don't consider it a slap in the face if it's done respectfully- and I think they are trying to do just that.
That's really the whole point of why we served, to protect the rights that we have. If we all agreed on everything, there would be no need for freedom of speech.
Penn State players (at least for home games) are in the locker room when the National Anthem is played.
If these individuals not make millions of dollars, would it matter?
If these individuals not make millions of dollars, would it matter?
So the only ones that should be able to complain about injustices are those who don't have a voice? If you've been successful, then you forfeit the right to stand up for those who don't have a platform to stand up for themselves?
If not for sports, where else and how often do you hear The National Anthem? I'm curious.
In very few other countries is the national anthem even played before a sporting event. Earlier this week someone posted a link to an article which explains how it came to be standard practice here. I'm as patriotic as the next guy or gal but I agree playing the anthem before almost every sporting event is overdone. Does the PGA do it? Does the USTA do it? Maybe they do but I don't watch much golf or tennis. Why not play it before a bingo tournament? Or an opera?
As for the NFL, the national anthem is now simply a part of the show. The cameramen roam the sidelines to get close up shots of players faces. They don't show the guys who are just standing there. Instead they focus on the hyper intense guys who are all jacked up and almost crying, not because of the anthem but because that's part of their pregame ritual.
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PGA - No (outside of things like the Opening Ceremonies in the Ryder Cup/Presidents Cup). USTA - Yes (before the first match of the day, well before the cameras are rolling).
Uh.........many places (including PSU) they not only DONT "stand" for the NatAnthem, they are not even on the field while it is played
Might want to know the actual facts pertaining to what you are outraged about.
Maybe?
Exactly. I noticed at our game on Sat. that there were a lot of people walking up the aisles, trying to find their seats and the person in front of me was on their phone.
Maybe like Illinoislion says it differs from school to school. But I've never been to a Penn State home game that the teams were on the field before the National Anthem.
The only game I can think of that they might have been was the Wiscy game post 9/11 but even then I don't think so.
Driving to the game on Sat. there was an AM station that I picked up in and around MT. Union (doing PSU stuff) that played the National Anthem at Noon.
+1000. I don't like it but they have every right to do it and even if I don't like it they are being respectful.
The teams were on the field post 9/11. The schedule was altered to allow for it. Don't remember if it was just one game or the rest of the season, but there was a temporary change.
Noone stands out of habit. They stand out of respect. Not just respect for the flag, but also respect for others who are standing in respect of the flag.
If someone is standing for the national anthem, I will stand. Personally I would rather sit. But out of respect for my peers, I stand. That is in addition to my personal opinions of respect for the Anthem and the flag.
LdN
It's played at my work every morning at 0800. Everybody walking outside or driving who can hear it will stop and show the proper respect.
You guys have every right to protest his protest. As I have the right to protest your protest.
But don't let me catch someone protesting my protest of the protest of the protest. That's going a little too far me thinks.
But don't let me catch someone protesting my protest of the protest of the protest. That's going a little too far me thinks.
Not sure how I feel about this. They have a right to their protest and we have a right to criticize them and ignore them. This is what our freedoms are about. I think this gets blown out of proportion due to social media and the news media because anyone at anytime can spout off about anything whether right or wrong and it goes viral then the boring news media picks up and dramatizes it to get ratings or sell things. I have become numb to all the irrelevant issues that don't really affect my day to day life.
Here's a thought. The TV networks have a policy of not broadcasting unruly fans that run on to the field. This used to give them a way of getting on national TV, and for the most part: it has stopped. Why don't we petition the networks to not show these goofballs on TV? Take away the attention to their protest and render it moot.
You're missing the entire point... there'
There's plenty of ways they can protest and express their freedom of speech. My point is doing it during the National Anthem is not the right vehicle.
Yes, we should. We should definitely stop indoctrinating our children into blindly pledging their allegiance to an icon before they even understand what they are doing. Yes, yes, and absolutely yes.
Actually, they really don't, unless the team or league says so. The First Amendnent protects citizens from criminal punishment for "speech." It absolutely does not restrict the right of a team or a league, which are private entities, from prohibiting a protest of this nature or speech of any kind on private property. For example, there are many homeowners associations which prohibit the placement of political campaign signs in resident's yards...It is astounding to me how many Americans fundamentally misunderstand the First Amendment, and many other of our Constitutional rights. I guess we can chalk that up it up to poor education re government, civics, etc. in our schools.
Real social change tends to primarily come from such uncomfortable nonconformity. I don't know if this will ultimately lead to any sinificant change, but as long as these guys are civil in their efforts, I don't have any problem whatsoever with what they're doing. That people are talking about it indicates that there is at least some minimal discourse. Whether their ripple turns into a tidal wave has yet to be seen.
No, people stand out of RESPECT, not habit and often during the anthem get feelings of patriotism.
Just as there are many places to have a parade to exhibit your group's cause, yet the KKK is permitted to march in Jewish neighborhoods. It's the price of a free society.
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