The politicization of the NFL

Anybody who knows me knows I'm not a big RARA America guy. I'm not one to be offended about flags or songs or pledges. I'm more worried about our overuse of the military industrial complex and our neverending bulkshit war on terror.

But I'm getting extremely tired at the politicizing of our entertainment and especially the NFL. I really don't care to watch millionaires whine after I've paid them for their services . And they keep yelling about free speech. Free speech doesn't mean you can say whatever you want at your job. It means you can't be imprisoned for what you say and the government can't tell you what to say.

How do you feel about this?

I didn't care much for it at first, for the same reason you said. Shut up and do your job, football playing guys.

However, I'm having a change of opinion as of late. If it's getting under the orange skin of our President, and it clearly is, I'm fine with it.

I'm glad to see that something is getting folks off their asses and making some noise to inspire some change. I may not agree with everything people are protesting about, but I'm glad to see the youth of today get upset over something more than what Starbucks is putting on their Christmas cups.

Don't watch football or sports in general, so it's kind of a non issue for me.

Though I heard New York Gov. Cuomo on the radio this morning, saying that he'd just returned from a trip bringing relief supplies to the hurricane-ravaged areas of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. When he got back to the U.S. to find this "OH MY GOD SOME JOCKS REFUSE TO STAND FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM LET'S GIT'EM!" crap had taken over the national conversation, he was "disappointed" because he thought we were "better than this."

I agree with him... there are WAY more important things to worry about.

"I love this country. I love the freedoms that we have; freedom of religion and the freedom of speech, to name a couple. I also love football; college, the NFL, and especially the Steelers.

There has been a great deal of controversy lately over NFL players kneeling for the National Anthem. First off, I personally do not agree with players who do this. I believe it is disrespectful to our Nation and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedoms.

However, I also believe these players, or anyone else for that matter, have the right to kneel or stand (or not stand, or stay in tunnel) if they so choose during the playing of our National Anthem. They are exercising their freedoms. I also believe that those who have chosen to boycott the NFL over this issue have the right to do so as well. Again, exercising their freedoms.

People are calling for NFL owners to fire players who don’t stand. What is next? Firing players who aren’t Christians? Firing those who support a particular political party? Firing those who support, or don’t, the 2nd Amendment?

Everyone is free to express their beliefs, regardless of what those beliefs are, as long as they are not physically harming others. What harm comes from some idiot football player taking a knee during the National Anthem? How does that effect you in anyway? Think about it for a moment. Aren’t there more important things we should be concerned about?"


My brother posted this yesterday and stated it better than I ever could. I totally agree with the above statements.

You don't have the right to do what you want at your job. If we did, the NBA and Nascar wouldn't be able to make their players stand for the anthem.

And it affects me because I don't spend my money to be preached to. You should tell your boss screw off. See if he cares about your rights to free speech.

I'm pretty indifferent to these spoiled brat athletes thinking they're making a difference by not standing for the National Anthem. It's all a sham IMO; it's more about "Hey, look at me!" than anything else.

But that said, I can't believe the President of the United States had to make some public proclamation about it. As others have said, he sure as hell as more important things to worry about; health care, tax reform, North Korea, various natural disasters...and he has to weigh in on spoiled millionaires not standing for the anthem?. Puh-leeeeze...

tohostudios wrote:

I'm pretty indifferent to these spoiled brat athletes thinking they're making a difference by not standing for the National Anthem.  It's all a sham IMO; it's more about "Hey, look at me!" than anything else.

But that said, I can't believe the President of the United States had to make some public proclamation about it.  As others have said, he sure as hell as more important things to worry about; health care, tax reform, North Korea, various natural disasters...and he has to weigh in on spoiled millionaires not standing for the anthem?.  Puh-leeeeze...

I know all presidents suck. I'm not a fan of the president and don't pay to have him entertain me. I do however spend 100s of dollars every year to watch my team play 16 games. If they want to play baby games with baby potus, they should do it on their own time. None of us have the right the right to alienate customers at our jobs. You're right though, they're spoiled brats.

I completely understand that sentiment. In fact, I've said the same things about various entertainers pontificating about their political views during concerts; I paid for my ticket so I could be entertained not preached at.

But I'm more concerned that this president decided to even bother with this "issue" considering everything else he's got to worry about. And this is far from the first time; he keeps spouting his opinion on the most trivial and mundane crap, from the number of attendees at his inauguration to the merits of Meryl Streep as an actress to this National Anthem "issue". C'mon, FOCUS!!!!!

tohostudios wrote:

I completely understand that sentiment.  In fact, I've said the same things about various entertainers pontificating about their political views during concerts; I paid for my ticket so I could be entertained not preached at.

But I'm more concerned that this president decided to even bother with this "issue" considering everything else he's got to worry about.  And this is far from the first time; he keeps spouting his opinion on the most trivial and mundane crap, from the number of attendees at his inauguration to the merits of Meryl Streep as an actress to this National Anthem "issue".  C'mon, FOCUS!!!!!

He can't help it. It his background coming from the reality tv aspect. I can't believe none on his staff told him that this was a bad idea. Of course maybe they did and he just ignored them. Or his staff is just a bunch of yes men.

tohostudios wrote:

I completely understand that sentiment.  In fact, I've said the same things about various entertainers pontificating about their political views during concerts; I paid for my ticket so I could be entertained not preached at.

But I'm more concerned that this president decided to even bother with this "issue" considering everything else he's got to worry about.  And this is far from the first time; he keeps spouting his opinion on the most trivial and mundane crap, from the number of attendees at his inauguration to the merits of Meryl Streep as an actress to this National Anthem "issue".  C'mon, FOCUS!!!!!

I'm much more concerned with the fact Trump is setting records for bomb drops. Killing millions of innocent people is much worse than yapping on twitter. But then again his twitter yappings are distracting the sheep from his really evil doings.

And Trump didn't politicize the NFL. The NFL did. Now they are going to pay the price.

tohostudios wrote:

I completely understand that sentiment.  In fact, I've said the same things about various entertainers pontificating about their political views during concerts; I paid for my ticket so I could be entertained not preached at.

Yep, when 80 percent of your customers are white, probaly not a good business strategy for your employess to promote the 'all honkies are rackst narrative.'

If anything, it just exposes what players are douche bags... They get millions, yet they cry like they're mistreated. Maybe this is the new black panther "fist in the air" show. I hate politics mixed into sports.

Ultimately, I think Toho is right.

It's a "hey, look at me" thing...

Troublezone wrote:

If anything, it just exposes what players are douche bags... They get millions, yet they cry like they're mistreated. Maybe this is the new black panther "fist in the air" show. I hate politics mixed into sports.

Ultimately, I think Toho is right.

It's a "hey, look at me" thing...

I agree. These protests are supposedly about "oppressed" people but you don't see them signing over their oppressed paychecks to help. Yes I know some do charitable work. I think it's a small percentage overall.

Yes, our president does have more to worry about than bratty athletes. He should remain focused on those issues instead of the NFL,NBA or whatever sports organization he's pissed off at.

To me, multimillionaire athletes commenting anything about politics seems pretentious. Everyone has a vote. Stop acting like you're more important. Same with pop musicians. I understand the plight of black people. You are the wrong people to comment on that. Don't use your fame as a tool. Run for an office after your career, if you really care.

My comment does not condone Trump's stupid comments - he also should know better. He is being made a fool here.

Throw your football and shut up

I hate when rich athletes and Hollywood celebrities try to influence dumb people with their political agenda. They can't even relate to the average American citizen... just shut up and do your overpaid job!

I like it when celebs speak out and/or protest. It's very patriotic and makes me feel proud to be an American. Never understood why people get so riled up about it.

The comments on Ted Nugent's FB page are absurd right now. He posted crap on the NFL, and his fans respond with "Amen, Uncle Ted! They should shut up and do their job!" Even though the only way Nugent has been able to stay relevant is with his outspoken political shtick.

The only "celebrities" I want to see "taking a knee" are porn stars!

Fat Freddy wrote:

The only "celebrities" I want to see "taking a knee" are porn stars!

Troublezone wrote:

If anything, it just exposes what players are douche bags... They get millions, yet they cry like they're mistreated. Maybe this is the new black panther "fist in the air" show. I hate politics mixed into sports.

Ultimately, I think Toho is right.

It's a "hey, look at me" thing...

I think it has a lot to do with their generation. Everybody is a victim, even million dollar athletes, many who do very bad crimes, but never do any jail time. It's what this generation does.

Whine.

Big Rich wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

If anything, it just exposes what players are douche bags... They get millions, yet they cry like they're mistreated. Maybe this is the new black panther "fist in the air" show. I hate politics mixed into sports.

Ultimately, I think Toho is right.

It's a "hey, look at me" thing...

I think it has a lot to do with their generation. Everybody is a victim, even million dollar athletes, many who do very bad crimes, but never do any jail time. It's what this generation does.

Whine.

Eh, it's what my parents said about the previous generation. And their parents the previous etc etc etc.

I've found the best way to deal with it to not whine about the whiners.

For the record, I hate sports.

corplhicks wrote:

Big Rich wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

If anything, it just exposes what players are douche bags... They get millions, yet they cry like they're mistreated. Maybe this is the new black panther "fist in the air" show. I hate politics mixed into sports.

Ultimately, I think Toho is right.

It's a "hey, look at me" thing...

I think it has a lot to do with their generation. Everybody is a victim, even million dollar athletes, many who do very bad crimes, but never do any jail time. It's what this generation does.

Whine.

Eh, it's what my parents said about the previous generation. And their parents the previous etc etc etc.

I've found the best way to deal with it to not whine about the whiners.

For the record, I hate sports.

I'm pretty sure my generation didn't need counciling when the guy they didn't want to be president lost the election. These pussies are going to breed. Keep defending them.

007 wrote:

corplhicks wrote:

For the record, I hate sports.

Haha and damn proud of it!