frankj1 wrote:kidding aside, Dan, I'm in the minority here regarding our views on players protesting during the National Anthem, and that's fine.
But I happened to say to my wife yesterday afternoon that I hoped all of them would stand respectfully before last night's rendition. I just thought it might, in some small way, indicate that previous protests were not meant to tear down their country, but hopefully the protests were trying to improve a country they love...at least that's what I always hope protests are trying to accomplish...to make the best even better.
Frank, my comments were not directed at Kaepernick or any of the subsequent flag or anthem protests resulting from his actions. To be quite honest, the NFL had already lost me a few weeks prior to Kaepernick’s initial kneeling and protest. It all began for me when five Ram’s players did the hands up don’t shoot pose prior to a game in late 2014 in support of the protesters in Ferguson, MO. The NFL let it go without any consequences whatsoever. Fast forward to the summer of 2016. Five Dallas police officers are gunned down, Dallas Cowboys request to be permitted to wear decals on their helmets to honor the slain officers in a pre-season game, and the NFL refuse them the right to do so. To be honest, I felt this was hypocritical on the NFL’s part. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me and then I said “Self, you will never watch another NFL game as long as you live.” And to date, I haven’t. One might say that I’m protesting, and he would be correct.
I don’t have a problem with individuals protesting whether I agree with them or not. Protesting is an individual right in this great country of ours. I’m glad that last night’s anthem was treated with respect, and that is the way it should be. Maybe one day we can sit down with a hand full of Cubans, a couple of bottles of good whisky and chase that rabbit hole on whether the protesters in question love their country and want to improve it.
Until then, you will have to keep me posted because I will not be watching.