NFL rumour mill

[BradshawsHairdresser]

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.

Nonsense. The NFL could require players to stand for the national anthem if they wanted to. Just because an action (such as not standing for the anthem) is legal in the country doesn't mean they have to allow it in their business. For example, certain drugs that are not illegal in the U.S., the NFL can decide to make them off-limits to its players.

The NBA actually has a rule requiring its players to stand for the anthem, and a few years back, suspended one of them who refused to do so. The NFL has never had such a rule. But the Collective Bargaining Agreement has nothing to say about the matter, so Goodell and Co. could institute a requirement to stand for the anthem, if they so desired.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

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.

While I will also defend a person's right to practice personal freedoms, I would say that standing for the flag honors our military a lot more than kneeling. As another poster pointed out, standing doesn't mean you agree with everything your country has done or does, but it does mean you recognize and respect the sacrifices made to preserve your freedom. While a person has the right to disrespect the flag (and I will defend their freedom to do so), that doesn't make it right to do so.

[MCHammer]

Kaepernick brings little to the table. He is at this point back-up QB material with a huge downside of bringing politically divisive viewpoints that will divide the locker room and fan base. That's why few owners or coaches see him worth the headache. It is not exactly a secret that in the NFL, talented players are given more leeway. Kaepernick has not produced at a high level in some time and seems more interested in political and social advocacy.

Simply put, he has made his own bed. Now let him kneel on it.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Simply put, he has made his own bed. Now let him kneel on it.

I see what you did there...

[Slapstick]

Brady and smart\elite quarterbacks \players would never do unpatriotic stuff like that.....

If they did, NFL owners wouldn't care a bit...elite trumps patriotic...

[feltdizz]

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.......

no, this isn't true at all.

Being elite has nothing to do with standing for the flag.

[phillyesq]

If they did, NFL owners wouldn't care a bit...elite trumps patriotic...

The issues with Kaepernick and Tebow are actually very similar. Both are exceptional athletes who are subpar QBs. Kaepernick is better, but neither is good. Both bring distractions for different issues, and teams have decided that neither is worth the distraction they create.

Teams will obviously put up with more distractions from more elite talent (see Brown, Antonio).

[Real Deal Steel]

The issues with Kaepernick and Tebow are actually very similar. Both are exceptional athletes who are subpar QBs. Kaepernick is better, but neither is good. Both bring distractions for different issues, and teams have decided that neither is worth the distraction they create.

Teams will obviously put up with more distractions from more elite talent (see Brown, Antonio).

If both were actually better qb"s , they'd be starters. Kapernick is a back up qb at best. But he thinks he's a starter. Therein lies another piece of his problem.

[Shawn]

Kapernick had a 16 TD to 4 INT ratio last year with zero supporting staff.

[phillyesq]

Kapernick had a 16 TD to 4 INT ratio last year with zero supporting staff.

He also averaged 6.8 yards per attempt, good for 23rd in the league and had a rating of 17th (between Alex Smith and Tyrod Taylor). The year before, he was 32nd in yards per attempt and 31st in rating.

That's a fringe starter on a bad team or a backup. Or, put differently, production that is replaceable by a guy who isn't a PR nightmare.

[Mr.wizard]

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.

Yes teams can blackball him, but the NFL can not step in and say don't hire this guy, they can't suspend him, or fine him.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Yes teams can blackball him, but the NFL can not step in and say don't hire this guy, they can't suspend him, or fine him.

Nope. Not right now. But they could add a rule that would enable them to do that. See my earlier post.

[Mr.wizard]

Nope. Not right now. But they could add a rule that would enable them to do that. See my earlier post.

They could enact a rule because they are a private organization, but that would be an even bigger PR nightmare.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

They could enact a rule because they are a private organization, but that would be an even bigger PR nightmare.

Perhaps that's why they haven't enacted such a rule. But they could. The NBA has such a rule. They enforced it a few years ago; don't know if they still do.

[Mr.wizard]

I honestly don't see what the big deal is, the protest is peaceful and the cause is worthy.