NFL rumour mill

[Slapstick]

]

"...I already have one."

[BradshawsHairdresser]

It all depends upon who is perceived as disrespectful...our PRESIDENT publicly disrespected the family of a soldier who sacrificed his life in service to our country...which, IMO, is just as bad or worse than not standing for the National Anthem...the same people who bash Kaepernick support the president...

Again, I just don't get it...

I think you paint with too broad a brush. I would venture that most who disagree with Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the pledge would also NOT support Trump disrespecting a soldier's family. I for one don't. By the way, I know several people who have bashed Kaepernick who don't "support the President" at all (most of them are veterans).

[BradshawsHairdresser]

that's an incredible reach.

How so? Where do you think his paycheck comes from?

[BradshawsHairdresser]

]

"...I already have one."

Ha! Think I saw the same picture with the caption, "I don't believe in those!"

[Slapstick]

I think you paint with too broad a brush. I would venture that most who disagree with Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the pledge would also NOT support Trump disrespecting a soldier's family. I for one don't. By the way, I know several people who have bashed Kaepernick who don't "support the President" at all (most of them are veterans).

I truly hope this the case. I just see two rich, pampered guys who never served in the armed forces making very public statements that are not patriotic...one of them gets bashed and the other one receives support from many of the same people bashing the former...

I hope you're right...

[feltdizz]

How so? Where do you think his paycheck comes from?

but that's like saying you support domestic abuse, rape, etc because you watch the NFL or college football due to a few guys who broke the law.

I don't think it's that simple. There are tons of players who didn't agree with Kap and one can say they watched the NFL to support them.

It's like saying Villanueva supported Kap by playing in the NFL.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

but that's like saying you support domestic abuse, rape, etc because you watch the NFL or college football due to a few guys who broke the law.

I don't think it's that simple. There are tons of players who didn't agree with Kap and one can say they watched the NFL to support them.

It's like saying Villanueva supported Kap by playing in the NFL.

The NFL and college football take measures (rightfully) to show opposition to domestic abuse and rape, suspending players who've done those things. I'm certainly not suggesting that the NFL should put flag protests on par with those crimes, just pointing out that they didn't really do anything to show any opposition to Kap's actions (reprimands, directives, etc.). When Goodell made a public statement on the matter, he neither supported nor condemned the protests, but was noncommittal (https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/08/sports/football/colin-kaepernick-anthem-protest-nfl-roger-goodell.html?_r=0). What's more, the NFL provided plenty of free video publicity for Kap and the others who refused to stand. Thus, a considerable number of viewers may have concluded that the NFL was not in disagreement with the protesters ... and that's why they stopped (or cut back) watching the NFL. I know this is the case for several people in my area who quit watching.

Now, you're right that, by far, most NFL players didn't go along with Kap on the way he protested. And the great majority of NFL fans (including me) kept on tuning in, even though we might not have agreed with his refusal to stand. The overall viewership decline in 2016 was 9% for regular season games and 6% for the playoffs, and of course, we can't attribute all of that decline to the flag protests. I'm just saying that's likely the biggest reason why some of those fans checked out. Even if it only caused half of the decline, it had a significant financial impact on the league.

[Mr.wizard]

The NFL can't take a stand against Kap not standing for the national anthem, what he is doing is legal and outlined as a "right". If he was to receive backlash from an employer for not standing during the national anthem then I am sure he would have some legal recourse.

[Shawn]

Our military has been in numerous wars for freedom whether it be ours or others. Which way honors them the most? Standing for the national anthem or actually practicing and protecting freedom? It's dictator and communist societies which try to censor freedom of expression. I don't have to agree with the expression or the message, but I'll always defend someone's right to practice personal freedoms.

[Slapstick]

The NFL and college football take measures (rightfully) to show opposition to domestic abuse and rape, suspending players who've done those things. I'm certainly not suggesting that the NFL should put flag protests on par with those crimes, just pointing out that they didn't really do anything to show any opposition to Kap's actions (reprimands, directives, etc.). When Goodell made a public statement on the matter, he neither supported nor condemned the protests, but was noncommittal (https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/08/sports/football/colin-kaepernick-anthem-protest-nfl-roger-goodell.html?_r=0). What's more, the NFL provided plenty of free video publicity for Kap and the others who refused to stand. Thus, a considerable number of viewers may have concluded that the NFL was not in disagreement with the protesters ... and that's why they stopped (or cut back) watching the NFL. I know this is the case for several people in my area who quit watching.

Now, you're right that, by far, most NFL players didn't go along with Kap on the way he protested. And the great majority of NFL fans (including me) kept on tuning in, even though we might not have agreed with his refusal to stand. The overall viewership decline in 2016 was 9% for regular season games and 6% for the playoffs, and of course, we can't attribute all of that decline to the flag protests. I'm just saying that's likely the biggest reason why some of those fans checked out. Even if it only caused half of the decline, it had a significant financial impact on the league.

I don't think the anti-Kap viewership was even a blip on the radar...people are just sick of seeing the Pats**.

[phillyesq]

The NFL can't take a stand against Kap not standing for the national anthem, what he is doing is legal and outlined as a "right". If he was to receive backlash from an employer for not standing during the national anthem then I am sure he would have some legal recourse.

He has a constitutional right to free speech, which means that the government cannot preclude him from refusing to stand. An employer, on the other hand, can very easily decline to extend a job offer to Kaepernick if they believe that his actions will reflect poorly on them. It's two very different concepts.

[Sword]

The NFL can't take a stand against Kap not standing for the national anthem, what he is doing is legal and outlined as a "right". If he was to receive backlash from an employer for not standing during the national anthem then I am sure he would have some legal recourse.

But, the teams are... they are not signing him....

[Sword]

He has a constitutional right to free speech, which means that the government cannot preclude him from refusing to stand. An employer, on the other hand, can very easily decline to extend a job offer to Kaepernick if they believe that his actions will reflect poorly on them. It's two very different concepts.

correct! that is exactly what is happening....

[Slapstick]

But, the teams are... they are not signing him....

The NFL will say that teams aren't signing him because he hasn't been very good...If Tom Brady sat during the National Anthem, would he still be looking for a job?

[Sword]

The NFL will say that teams aren't signing him because he hasn't been very good...If Tom Brady sat during the National Anthem, would he still be looking for a job?

Brady and smart\elite quarterbacks \players would never do unpatriotic stuff like that.....Anyone who truly understands the national anthem , standing facing the flag and freedom gets it !!!! ....and those that don't .....
well some posters included an image that tells the story of dumb and no brains......He can go on his own time and protest his cause.......