Ben is garbage

[Slapstick]

I've said this before, but the media and the president are making the protests into the story. What should be the story, and the reason why people should be outraged, is the cause of the protests. But, we Americans aren't interested in fixing that, for the most part. But, damn, those players better stand for the anthem!!!

[feltdizz]

Yup, something better could have been done and that was to do it on their own time to raise awareness. The problem with that is that the players don't have the same bullhorn as the NFL, nobody cares if John Smith the 3rd string ILB for the 0-3 Cleveland Browns thinks he's been oppressed, or that police target African American males unfairly, etc. The players used what the NFL built to voice their protest and since the owners and the NFL let them, they get what they deserve. This should have and could have been nipped in the bud the first time kaepernick took a knee. Now they have a PR nightmare because Goodell's inability to have any consistency. Willie Gay isn't allowed to promote domestic abuse awareness, the Cowboys couldn't show support for the 5 officers murdered in Dallas, Manning couldn't pay tribute to Johnny Unitas, etc. but Kaepernick, he's allowed to kneel, break an NFL rule and disrespect the flag and vets and the NFL is fine with it because they don't want to appear to be racist. The NFL deserves everything they get and personally, I hope it hits them in the pocket hard.

Pappy

what's the rule Pappy?

and why is everyone trying to make this about the troops?

[feltdizz]

Yes, better. Surely there is a better way to support the cause without doing it during a football game. Doing something on their own time. Hell, I'd rather they start wearing custom shoes and getting fined for it than doing something that angers a nation of fans.

No one is forcing them to stand for the anthem. But to continue kneeling after it's clear that the majority of fans and the nation, do not want the Anthem used in protest, is just stupid IMO. It's not helping the cause. The only reason to continue doing it now is defiance. Why would players want to continue angering their fan base? A fan base that I think mostly understands and sympathizes with their cause.

I think it's a dangerous game to start protesting any cause by using the Anthem before a game. What's next? What's the next issue that some player is going to protest? Maybe some player will start sitting? Or turning their back? There's enough issues in our country that every player from every race is affected in some way. So, maybe everyone should just sit. Maybe the fans should just stay in the concessions area or turn their backs or leave their hats on. Where does it stop?

Is it not possible to be simultaneously proud of your country while understanding that it's not perfect and certain injustices need to be corrected?

you really think most fans empathize with Black NFL players when it comes to police and how they treat Blacks? I disagree. Most fans think these are spoiled millionaires and thugs. I mean, Ben is white and he is called a rapist by more than half of NFL fans.

Maybe the NFL should stop forcing players to be on the field for the anthem? You do realize this was only started in 2009.

[feltdizz]

I've said this before, but the media and the president are making the protests into the story. What should be the story, and the reason why people should be outraged, is the cause of the protests. But, we Americans aren't interested in fixing that, for the most part. But, damn, those players better stand for the anthem!!!

exactly Slappy. No one wants to talk about the actual protest so they made it about the flag, the troops, America, etc...

Now you aren't an American if you don't stand for the anthem.

Heck, look at Trump, he NEVER puts his hand on his heart and looks like he has to take a crap any time the anthem is played. It's all so silly.

[feltdizz]

oh look what a FIRE chief in Pittsburgh had to say about Tomlin

“Tomlin just added himself to the list of no good (racial slur). Yes I said it,” Smith wrote.


smh... is it really that serious? of course he "regrets it" now that the story is out.

stay classy Steeler fans

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/pittsburgh-area-fire-chief-sorry-public-discovers-hateful-post-aimed-mike-tomlin-151118735.html

[papillon]

what's the rule Pappy?

and why is everyone trying to make this about the troops?

There's a rule (unless its fake news) that both teams will be present on their sidelines during the NA, stand, face the flag, and hold their helmet in their left hand. The home team is to ensure that the flag is good condition and some other stipulations. Now, is it a rule? I don't know, but I've seen it around the internet, it could be bogus and if it is I stand corrected. But, I still think the whole debacle could have been avoided if the NFL and the owners would have just said, you need to do this on your own time, not in our stadiums.

I think everyone makes it out to be about the troops, first responders and police because they are the people that put their lives on the line so that the rest of us can sleep under the blanket of security that they provide. It may or may not be misdirected but that's my take on it. Many people, myself included, feel like the players are being ungrateful for the rights and privileges that come with being an American citizen. I'm not saying they shouldn't protest if they believe something is wrong in society but this isn't the way to do it and it is alienating (rightly or wrongly) many people who believe they are attacking the flag, troops, police, first responders, constitution, etc.

I try to take an unbiased look at the whole mess but when your family and friends have had many vets that served it is difficult to do that.

Pappy

[feltdizz]

I definitely think it's a misdirection. Plenty of NFL players probably have family in the armed services. My brother went to the Naval Academy. I really don't see how kneeling for the anthem is disrespectful.

Kid rock performed a half a half time show at the Super Bowl in 2004 and cut a hole and the flag and wore it like a poncho. I don't think fans even remember let alone were outraged.

I also read read that the flag should never be horizontal but I have no idea if that is true.

Just seems like folks folks would rather fake outrage over troops and flags instead of actually talking about the point of the protest by Kaepernick.

[Slapstick]

oh look what a police chief in Pittsburgh had to say about Tomlin

“Tomlin just added himself to the list of no good (racial slur). Yes I said it,” Smith wrote.


smh... is it really that serious? of course he "regrets it" now that the story is out.

stay classy Steeler fans

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/pittsbu...151118735.html

Of course, this also absolves the players of any blame, even though it was their decision...

[squidkid]

I definitely think it's a misdirection. Plenty of NFL players probably have family in the armed services. My brother went to the Naval Academy. I really don't see how kneeling for the anthem is disrespectful.

Kid rock performed a half a half time show at the Super Bowl in 2004 and cut a hole and the flag and wore it like a poncho. I don't think fans even remember let alone were outraged.

I also read read that the flag should never be horizontal but I have no idea if that is true.

Just seems like folks folks would rather fake outrage over troops and flags instead of actually talking about the point of the protest by Kaepernick.

whats really funny is the players that are 'protesting' arent even talking about what kaepernick was talking about
the fact is almost all of the players taking part of this circus dont really care, dont really know or care a little but are doing nothing more about it other then kneel, hold hands, stay in tunnel or lock arms. woopdeedoo

[feltdizz]

whats really funny is the players that are 'protesting' arent even talking about what kaepernick was talking about
the fact is almost all of the players taking part of this circus dont really care, dont really know or care a little but are doing nothing more about it other then kneel, hold hands, stay in tunnel or lock arms. woopdeedoo

thats because they aren't talking to the right people and it's intentional.

this movement has been co-opted/hijacked for obvious reasons.

[Mr.wizard]

There's a rule (unless its fake news) that both teams will be present on their sidelines during the NA, stand, face the flag, and hold their helmet in their left hand. The home team is to ensure that the flag is good condition and some other stipulations. Now, is it a rule? I don't know, but I've seen it around the internet, it could be bogus and if it is I stand corrected. But, I still think the whole debacle could have been avoided if the NFL and the owners would have just said, you need to do this on your own time, not in our stadiums.

I think everyone makes it out to be about the troops, first responders and police because they are the people that put their lives on the line so that the rest of us can sleep under the blanket of security that they provide. It may or may not be misdirected but that's my take on it. Many people, myself included, feel like the players are being ungrateful for the rights and privileges that come with being an American citizen. I'm not saying they shouldn't protest if they believe something is wrong in society but this isn't the way to do it and it is alienating (rightly or wrongly) many people who believe they are attacking the flag, troops, police, first responders, constitution, etc.

I try to take an unbiased look at the whole mess but when your family and friends have had many vets that served it is difficult to do that.

Pappy

Actually it's not a rule it's a policy stating what a player should do for the anthem, it is not required that a player stand or any of that. The actual rule only states that a player must be on the sideline before the anthem, unless of course they clear it with the league office. Snopes actually clears this up and has a quote from the NFL that clears it up.

[NJ-STEELER]

oh look what a police chief in Pittsburgh had to say about Tomlin

“Tomlin just added himself to the list of no good (racial slur). Yes I said it,” Smith wrote.


smh... is it really that serious? of course he "regrets it" now that the story is out.

stay classy Steeler fans

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/pittsbu...151118735.html

Police chief?????

[feltdizz]

Police chief?????

thx.. lol.

damn, how did I miss that?

[RuthlessBurgher]

oh look what a FIRE chief in Pittsburgh had to say about Tomlin

“Tomlin just added himself to the list of no good (racial slur). Yes I said it,” Smith wrote.


smh... is it really that serious? of course he "regrets it" now that the story is out.

stay classy Steeler fans

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/pittsbu...151118735.html

Fire chief fired for using racial slur toward Mike Tomlin
Posted by Darin Gantt on September 27, 2017, 5:52 AM EDT

Well, the President got his wish. Someone has been fired over national anthem protests.

Only it was the fire chief of a Pittsburgh-area volunteer fire department, who posted a racist message about Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Facebook.

According to the Associated Press, Paul Smith of the Muse fire company in Cecil Township, Pennsylvania, referred to Tomlin as a “no-good n—–” because the team stayed in the locker room during the national anthem.

The Cecil Township Board of Supervisors said on its website on Tuesday that Smith “is no longer the volunteer fire chief.”

Smith told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he’s “not the racist the media portrays me as,” saying that he “posted in anger.”

Of course, perhaps that’s when his true feelings came out. Either way, he’s able, in his anger, to use one of the most despicable slurs in the book.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/09/27/fire-chief-fired-for-using-racial-slur-toward-mike-tomlin/

[Steel Maniac]

Hilarious.