NFL Anthem Policy

[Daseal]

I agree with the changes the NFL made for a few reasons. It's not because of blind patriotism or anything of that matter. Quite frankly, the kneeling didn't affect me one way or another because I'm normally not even watching until kickoff happens. That said, the NFL was between a rock and a hard place.

1) They were losing money and viewers over people not standing for the anthem. While I don't consider it a disrespectful stance, I can understand why people feel it is disrespectful. When it comes down to it - people are not tuning in to watch because people are kneeling -- they sure as hell are tuning out because of the kneeling.

2) Most people can get behind the cause of keeping people from being assaulted/discriminated against. Leaving the ability to protest opens the NFL up to OTHER protests as well. You can't say it's okay to protest policy violence -- but then not allow players to protest other things. What if you have someone who wants to pose for Pro/Anti Abortion Rights? Pro/Anti Immigration Rights? Pick any Pro/Con stance and put it in there.

3) Lastly - the NFL isn't trying to silence anyone. Most of us, at our jobs would not be able to take a political stance in front of our customers, and we see significantly fewer than the NFL sees. However, in our off time we're free to use our money, time, and influence towards political causes if we like. NFL players are no different. In fact I bet owners and NFL Brass would even be willing to put forward some resources towards helping these causes.

TL;DR: Allowing protests during the anthem only causes the NFL to lose viewers - not gain them, the NFL then has to allow protests for other more controversial topics, and most of us every day folks wouldn't be allowed to make political stands at work.

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by Daseal

I agree with the changes the NFL made for a few reasons. It's not because of blind patriotism or anything of that matter. Quite frankly, the kneeling didn't affect me one way or another because I'm normally not even watching until kickoff happens. That said, the NFL was between a rock and a hard place.



1) They were losing money and viewers over people not standing for the anthem. While I don't consider it a disrespectful stance, I can understand why people feel it is disrespectful. When it comes down to it - people are not tuning in to watch because people are kneeling -- they sure as hell are tuning out because of the kneeling.



2) Most people can get behind the cause of keeping people from being assaulted/discriminated against. Leaving the ability to protest opens the NFL up to OTHER protests as well. You can't say it's okay to protest policy violence -- but then not allow players to protest other things. What if you have someone who wants to pose for Pro/Anti Abortion Rights? Pro/Anti Immigration Rights? Pick any Pro/Con stance and put it in there.



3) Lastly - the NFL isn't trying to silence anyone. Most of us, at our jobs would not be able to take a political stance in front of our customers, and we see significantly fewer than the NFL sees. However, in our off time we're free to use our money, time, and influence towards political causes if we like. NFL players are no different. In fact I bet owners and NFL Brass would even be willing to put forward some resources towards helping these causes.



TL;DR: Allowing protests during the anthem only causes the NFL to lose viewers - not gain them, the NFL then has to allow protests for other more controversial topics, and most of us every day folks wouldn't be allowed to make political stands at work.

Watch what happens to the ratings if they do not allow the first amendment to take place.


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[Daseal]

Originally Posted by punch it in

Watch what happens to the ratings if they do not allow the first amendment to take place.


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This is not a 1st amendment case. The government isn't silencing anyone. This is a private entity doing what's best for them by putting legal rules on their employees - the employees are free to do these activities when they're not working.

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by Daseal

This is not a 1st amendment case. The government isn't silencing anyone. This is a private entity doing what's best for them by putting legal rules on their employees - the employees are free to do these activities when they're not working.

It is a first amendment case in which the owners are silencing someone. Remember one thing also - anyone can serve a burger or chart spread sheets with a little bit of training. Not everyone can play football at such a high level. These players hold alot more weight than you think. Who is going to tune in for a strike? Nobody.


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[Daseal]

Originally Posted by punch it in

It is a first amendment case in which the owners are silencing someone. Remember one thing also - anyone can serve a burger or chart spread sheets with a little bit of training. Not everyone can play football at such a high level. These players hold alot more weight than you think. Who is going to tune in for a strike? Nobody.


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Uhhhh, it's not. When it comes down to it - players are free to leave and viewers are free to tune out. It won't happen. The first amendment states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This is not being violated. You can not like the rule, and I understand why you dislike the rule. Everything about it is legal and I would guess that it would have significantly less ramifications than allowing the protests. Under the new rules, players ARE free to protest, but there will be a fine associated with it that they can pay if they like. My guess is the NFL will donate that money to charities that work on inequality issues.

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Uhhhh, it's not. When it comes down to it - players are free to leave and viewers are free to tune out. It won't happen. The first amendment states:







This is not being violated. You can not like the rule, and I understand why you dislike the rule. Everything about it is legal and I would guess that it would have significantly less ramifications than allowing the protests. Under the new rules, players ARE free to protest, but there will be a fine associated with it that they can pay if they like. My guess is the NFL will donate that money to charities that work on inequality issues.

By law you are correct but it is still a first amendment “issue” - maybe “case” was the wrong word to use. And again this is the NFL. Without the current 70% makeup of African Americans they have no product. The same can not be said for McDonalds. Those employees break the rules they simply hire new ones. The NFL players hold all the cards at the end of the day and there is no way they will follow suit with this bologna. No way.


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[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by punch it in

By law you are correct but it is still a first amendment “issue” - maybe “case” was the wrong word to use. And again this is the NFL. Without the current 70% makeup of African Americans they have no product. The same can not be said for McDonalds. Those employees break the rules they simply hire new ones. The NFL players hold all the cards at the end of the day and there is no way they will follow suit with this bologna. No way.


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So much wrong with this.
1) Clearly, the players do not hold all the cards. If so, they would have played them by now.

2) This has been made into a speech issue by the cynical media and an uninformed population because it is absolutely a work conduct issue. Players speech on the job is absolutely regulated on the job. Have you seen how the NFL regulates uniforms? There is no question that players could not put a "black lives matter" or "MaKe America great again" patch/button/sticker/piece of tape with crudely written magic marker message on their jerseys/helmets/socks/bandana/on bottom of their shoe.

This is an employee conduct issue. The NFL should have treated it as such. A simple rule like "During pregame ceremonies players shall stand in unison along the sideline. At such times, players shall remove their helmets, stand with their hands at their side or with their left hand over their heart." Then accompany it with the statement "In order to promote the NFL brand and consistent with the league's existing rules regarding conduct and aparrel, the NFL has decided to adopt a standard policy regulating sideline conduct during pregame ceremonies. Violations of the adopted conduct regulations will be treated in the same manner as uniform violations."

It's legal, it makes sense, and players who want to violate the conduct every game are going to start paying big fines in short order.

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[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by punch it in

By law you are correct but it is still a first amendment “issue” - maybe “case” was the wrong word to use. And again this is the NFL. Without the current 70% makeup of African Americans they have no product. The same can not be said for McDonalds. Those employees break the rules they simply hire new ones. The NFL players hold all the cards at the end of the day and there is no way they will follow suit with this bologna. No way.


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The problem with this logic, is there are players lined up to take their place and the players who would walk out or strike probably cannot make the same money in other careers.

They "need" their NFL job in the prime years.

I would never second guess someone from walking away or for cashing the checks, it's up to the individual to figure out what is best for them and their family.

The product would probably suffer briefly, but the owners and organizations are much better situated to weather the storm, even if it lasted for a whole season.