The politicization of the NFL

Witchfinder wrote:

Cultural Marxism

In what way?

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Witchfinder wrote:

Cultural Marxism

In what way?

In what way what?

Witchfinder wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Witchfinder wrote:

Cultural Marxism

In what way?

In what way what?

In what way is what I was talking about related to Cultural Marxism? I am not sure what you mean.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Witchfinder wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Witchfinder wrote:

Cultural Marxism

In what way?

In what way what?

In what way is what I was talking about related to Cultural Marxism? I am not sure what you mean.

Oh, sorry Shawn I wasn't really responding to you, just to the topic in general.

Good words, Shawn. I would even say excellent mic drop but have learned over the years that just doesn't happen on the internet.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Players were not even on the field for the anthem prior to 2009 when the DOD paid the NFL for huge injections of showboat patriotism as a means of boosting military recruitment.

I read all of this thread just to see if anyone brought this little nugget to life.


It certainly contradicts a whole faction who are leaning on the patriotism crutch.

martinsane wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Players were not even on the field for the anthem prior to 2009 when the DOD paid the NFL for huge injections of showboat patriotism as a means of boosting military recruitment.

I read all of this thread just to see if anyone brought this little nugget to life.


It certainly contradicts a whole faction who are leaning on the patriotism crutch.

I've never understood patriot fanboys. I'm a big fan of America. But this whole echo chamber outcry is the same odor as the time Ben Affleck was appointed as Batman.

Or whenever Creed was mentioned on this board OH SHIT I WENT THERE.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

These athletes taking a knee has nothing to do with politics, the flag, veterans or respect for the country. Just stop that bullshit now.

These athletes taking a knee has to do with the social injustice that is STILL alive in this country, despite all this "we're all one big happy family" rhetoric. We're not.

Peaceful protest is a protected freedom under the US Constitution. They are protesting peacefully. As long as they're not breaking the law or violating the Constitution, you do not get to dictate where and when they decide to protest.

As to the "try this at YOUR job and see what happens" thing; that one lady who protested gay marriage by refusing to issue a marriage license is somehow a hero now. Besides, the NFL has stated their support for the player taking a knee.

As to the "shut up and do your job" thing; their job is to play football. They are all playing football. You have no argument.

Players were not even on the field for the anthem prior to 2009 when the DOD paid the NFL for huge injections of showboat patriotism as a means of boosting military recruitment.

It's NOT disrespectful, it's NOT harming veterans, it's NOT ungrateful. It's NOT anti-cop. It's NOT anti-America.

It's a peaceful show of empathy for those in this country who are daily treated like shit and even killed for no good reason.

This may be the best post I've ever read on here

The thing that has been running through my head is the fact that U.S athletes absolutely can't just shut up and play ball because your sport is so tied up with the promotion of America and the American dream. In my country, guys who play sport represent their clubs or themselves and that's it, therefore there is nothing to protest. The only time the National Anthem is played is when they are representing the nation itself which if they feel really strongly they don't want to do they can decline to do and still make their living.

Boris2008 wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

These athletes taking a knee has nothing to do with politics, the flag, veterans or respect for the country. Just stop that bullshit now.

These athletes taking a knee has to do with the social injustice that is STILL alive in this country, despite all this "we're all one big happy family" rhetoric. We're not.

Peaceful protest is a protected freedom under the US Constitution. They are protesting peacefully. As long as they're not breaking the law or violating the Constitution, you do not get to dictate where and when they decide to protest.

As to the "try this at YOUR job and see what happens" thing; that one lady who protested gay marriage by refusing to issue a marriage license is somehow a hero now. Besides, the NFL has stated their support for the player taking a knee.

As to the "shut up and do your job" thing; their job is to play football. They are all playing football. You have no argument.

Players were not even on the field for the anthem prior to 2009 when the DOD paid the NFL for huge injections of showboat patriotism as a means of boosting military recruitment.

It's NOT disrespectful, it's NOT harming veterans, it's NOT ungrateful. It's NOT anti-cop. It's NOT anti-America.

It's a peaceful show of empathy for those in this country who are daily treated like shit and even killed for no good reason.

This may be the best post I've ever read on here

The thing that has been running through my head is the fact that U.S athletes absolutely can't just shut up and play ball because your sport is so tied up with the promotion of America and the American dream. In my country, guys who play sport represent their clubs or themselves and that's it, therefore there is nothing to protest. The only time the National Anthem is played is when they are representing the nation itself which if they feel really strongly they don't want to do they can decline to do and still make their living.

See, this is the type of dialogue I wish would come from both sides. Everything written in both of these posts is varietal in examples, arguments, and reasoning. I haven't seen any exchanges like these on Facebook, haven't heard them from my friends, hell I haven't even thought of half of any of it. These thoughts exists on a spectrum, and help challenge critical thinking of anyone willing to listen, even if they aren't going to agree with some or all of it. At least it could be understood. And it's doubly awesome that one of these posts comes from a Brit who offers a socio-historic perspective from his country that has strong ties and common threads to America. This is helpful.

And then there's the Right. Guys, I WAS a conservative, and a die-hard one at that. I WAS a patriot fanboy. I revered Rush Limbaugh as much as I do Jimi Hendrix. I could go into why I changed to a more progressive, near apolitical stance in the middle of Obama's second term, which is another story (and does not involve being brainwashed by the media, to head anyone off at the pass), but I will say that my groundbreaking epiphany came when I realized that "oh my god, we sound really dumb." Seriously, echo chamber, bumper-sticker rhetoric, call it what you will, but this trend of condensing a small collection of reactive thoughts--"shut up and play, entertainers," "libtards are brain damaged," "drank the kool-aid," "millennials are whiny brats," and the likes of Killary, Obummer, Snowflakes, and all those spurts of cute creativity--enhanced by a violent aggression that I not only was familiar with but fed from the megaphones of other Tea Party Supermen, was all beginning to sound redundant to me. I had to kill this inner thought process and change up my game plan. Think before speaking. Give things time to brew in my head before formulating an opinion. Stop watching and reading ALL news--I know, that's tough, but I did say I was near apolitical, and the reason for that is a total lack of reliable information in this world. Broaden my reason to go beyond just the impulsive, self-righteous haze of over-confidence. Supply some tact and compassion. Don't tell it what it is--because the danger is, I could be wrong--but tell it how it could be. And absorb every thought from ally and opponent as a possibility, even if I don't come to a conclusion.

It's made for some damn dynamic conversation, and I've made a friend or two because of it.

Yet at worst, my right friends can't take it. No matter how chill I am in my presentation, no matter how much I actively listen, the bitter boom of conservative gnashing has flooded my ears to the point of ringing. I've been labeled "progressive (most likely true but why is that a bad thing and why do conservatives always put that word in quotes?)," "traitor to America," turned your back on god," "voted for Killary (I didn't vote at all)," "snowflake," "brainwashed" "millennial (technically I think this is true or close to true,)" and worse. It's made broaching political subjects with my past brothers impossible. I'm being absolutely serious here, but I've also lost a friend or two because of it.

And no, I don't need counseling for that loss, but it hurts, and I've seen gaggles of my Red friends cry like babies at stuff I really don't understand. I've also helped them through very hard times. Hell, I remember grown men crying when Obama got the second term. Of course, the crying turned into rage and suffering for that entire second term.

[Something else I don't understand--the whole, "he is OUR president, stay out of HIS way, let him do HIS job" ordeal--if conservatives would have followed this line of thinking when Obama was elected twice, then every talk show host would have shut down. We actively fought the liberal govt every day just by pandering to our cognitive bias via talk radio and Fox News. Made a splash in those dopamine levels. Just sayin'.]

I'll end this with a story that some of you may get a kick out of. I was travelling today with my Dad, a big fan of Trump, and he was driving through town. On the horizon we could see a dozen people holding signs. Miles before this, he had been talking about this subject of the NFL and said the same thing I always hear: "why do libtards think they'll get anything accomplished by protesting?? They should just get a job!" As we approached the signs he started yelling out the window "boo, protesters!" I melted way down into my seat. As he slowed to heckle them, he saw the signs.

It was a pro-life group. He instantly rolled up the window, sped up, and quickly said, "oh, they're protesting abortion. Cool."

Sorry for the long post. I'm totally cool if no one reads it. Just been wanting to get it off my chest for a long time.

BTW, where the hell are Vexer6 and Manny? Manny posted something really good on Facebook. I'll try to get around to share it.

I just got back from a sports-themed trip with 7 other fellas. I'm not a drinker, so I'm the default DD and trip "dad" among other things.

Needless to say, this subject came up. The phrase "in veno veritas" could not be more true. As the only sober guy most of the trip, I got to hear everyone's true thoughts and feelings.

I guess it's good to know how people really feel/think, but it can be disappointing.

Quote :

"in veno veritas"

Oh, I love that place. Try the eggplant parm and the tiramisu.

The NFL was becoming unwatchable before all this nonsense and now I just stopped altogether. The patriotism is a bunch of corporate/league/players scam to come across as good citizens trying to cover the greed on part of the owners, players and corporations.

I really do not have the time or interest to watch one-percenters whine and complain.

Everything reported on network TV news is politicized in some manner or another. It goes hand in hand with advertising revenue and socio economic demographics

Black people have killed more black people in the inner-cities of America the past 17 years than soldiers killed in Afghanistan & Iraq in the same period, or by police officers during traffic stops. Where is the outcry for them ?

its a free country...do as thou will is my view... Personally I think they should quit doing the national anthem at sports events...introduce the team and PLAY BALL...

Quote :

its a free country...do as thou will is my view... Personally I think they should quit doing the national anthem at sports events...introduce the team and PLAY BALL...

That's my position too. Political significance aside, I really can't stand the song anymore, mostly due to so many vocalists "embellishing" it to show off their range or how long they can sustain that final note. I'll stand for it, but get me some earplugs.

James B. wrote:

Everything reported on network TV news is politicized in some manner or another.  It goes hand in hand  with advertising revenue and socio economic demographics

Black people have killed more black people in the inner-cities of America the past 17 years  than soldiers killed in Afghanistan & Iraq in the same period, or by police officers during traffic stops.   Where is the outcry for them ?

i think if anything should be the focus of protests should be the state of school systems in major cities. That is really where the atrocities are being committed. It is shameful to think of all the young people who never had a chance to reach their potential (and all their contributions to society that never were) because of corrupt, mostly one party rule that put money above students.

brokentulsa wrote:

Personally I think they should quit doing the national anthem at sports events...introduce the team and PLAY BALL...

100% AGREE

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

brokentulsa wrote:

Personally I think they should quit doing the national anthem at sports events...introduce the team and PLAY BALL...

100% AGREE

Yea, that's a stance I can get behind. Stop playing the anthem all together. It's an out-dated tradition that needs to be shelved. The teams need to be smart about it though. All teams, all leagues, without making grand announcements, just slowly and quietly phase it out of the pre-game ceremonies. Within a month or 2 noone would notice or care.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

brokentulsa wrote:

Personally I think they should quit doing the national anthem at sports events...introduce the team and PLAY BALL...

100% AGREE

Me too

That would make the athletes have to put some actual effort into making a social statement and not on somebody else's dime.

exact33 wrote:

I really do not have the time or interest to watch one-percenters whine and complain.

Are rich people not supposed to notice injustice? Are they not able to recognize it from behind their mountains of money?

The demonization of local law enforcement.You guys just can't wait for a federal police force can you?

John Madden wrote:

The demonization of local law enforcement.You guys just can't wait for a federal police force can you?

Oh for the hot breath of Christ; I dunno how much longer I can stand gross exaggerations like these.