We all remember the disgraceful NFL protests that have poisoned the league over the last two seasons.
But a solution by a few team owners might finally put this pathetic stunt to bed.
I don’t have to tell you about the scandal. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick started this stunt, to get attention. He knelt during National Anthem, as a “protest” to racist America. A white man, who enjoyed the life of a celebrity, had the audacity to insult our country.
It spread from there. The usual suspects in the league started to kneel. Across the country, rich football players insulted our country by kneeling during the Anthem. Fans across the league were outraged. Many abandoned their favorite teams, feeling betrayed after supporting them for so long.
It has damaged the NFL, perhaps forever. Viewership is down across all TV networks. A once reliable source of viewers, networks are now looking to replace games on their stations. Stadiums are clearing out, as many fans refuse to pay money to watch protests.
Maybe things are about to chance. As the league refuses to do anything, team owners are coming up with a solution. It might solve the problem.
From Sports Illustrated:
On Tuesday, NFL owners put three hours aside for a privileged session to speak—amongst themselves and family members—about the most sensitive of topics.
One was how the league will handle players kneeling during the national anthem going forward. An idea being floated in the room goes like this: It would be up to the home team on whether both teams come out of the locker room for the anthem, and, should teams come out, 15-yard penalties could be assessed for kneeling…
UPDATE: Roger Goodell announced their ban of kneeling during the National Anthem and the consequences. From Fox News:
The NFL announced on Wednesday that it has adopted a policy that would fine a club if teammates and league personnel did not “stand show respect for the flag and the Anthem.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced in a statement that the policy was approved “in concert with the NFL”s ongoing commitment to local communities and our country.”
Most NFL fans are fiercely patriotic. They love football, but more than that, they love America. You can’t expect most people to put up with these pathetic protests forever. Enough fans will reject the sport over time, leaving them in a massive hole.
Leave it to toxic, liberal politics to destroy an American pastime. But that is the reality. Anything the left touches withers and dies. Even the most popular sport in the country.
Will this new agreement do anything? It has a good chance at working.
If this agreement works, it will make sure no players insult the country. Few will be willing to hurt their team’s chances with penalties. It’s all about the game for most of them, after all. Is engaging in a pointless protest worth yardage? Not when the chips are down.
Don’t be surprised if this solution is adopted by many teams.
Source: Sports Illustrated
