In Defense of the Players

[G-Man]

I keep hearing about the cry-baby millionaires who get paid too much.

Question:  How much is too much?  How much is someone worth, or how much should someone earn who is the best at what they do? 

To become a professional athlete takes more effort than just about any other profession.  Athletes begin their "careers" at 6 in pop-warner, then local leagues in middle school, then high school, then college.  Millions of kids across the nation practice every day and play once or twice a week depending on the sport.  They sacrifice throughout the years.  They train their bodies and stick to strict regiments.  They are hyperfocused and some even seek psychotherapy to get to the next level to be the best.  And because the athlete is that good, millions of other people will pay to watch him use his skills to obtain victory over someone else who is just as trained, determined, focused, etc.

Yes, we all work hard and long, go to school or get training, but, have we been preparing and sacrificing and working for it since grade school?  Did we beat out millions of other people with incredible skills for our position?  I realized the magnitude of all this when I took my son for an AAU basketball league tryout.  This one gym had 150 12 year olds trying out for a spot on two teams of 12 players each.  24 kids out of 150 and parents had to answer the phone when called and agree immediately or lose the spot.  THAT'S how competitive it is,.... at 12.

Then there's the added layer of TV money.  The athlete puts people in front of the TV so the networks can sell ad time for billions.  If you make someone billions, shouldn't you be compensated appropriately?

So, what's it all worth?


"Hey Babe Ruth, you made more money than the President"  "I had a better years then the President"  (or something like that)

[Kep]

One soldier gives his life serving and protecting his country  is worth more than any $$$$$ amount .

[G-Man]

Has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but thanks for playing.

[Rams]

Has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but thanks for playing.

I whole heartedly disagree.
When it comes to disrespecting our anthem and flag, I don't care how much money anyone makes.
I don't care what color they are, I don't care what sex they claim to be or what religion they do or don't have.   IMHO, money has nothing to do with how I look at these entertainers and their issue.

IOWs, I don't give a damn who or what they are.   Having a right to do something does not mean one should do it.

[hubcapsc]

I think people are talking at odds here...

Players work to get where they are, the game makes a mint
and they deserve their share, it wasn't easy to get where they
are.

I hope their share sees a big reduction because of the way
they're acting now.

AT&T has begun to refund the money of people who paid
for NFL on their teevee services. I contacted Amazon and
told them I'd rather not see that giant Thursday Night Football
ad on the home page of my firestick.

-Mike

[JimC]

Gman
I agree with what you are getting at, I really don't have a bitch with the salaries.  Although at times I have been frustrated by the on field antics some perform for doing what they are paid millions to do. (that is another topic)

My main complaint is still the fact that they are using the wrong platform for the protest. We in a round about way have paid for their salaries, our enlisted men and woman have paid the ultimate price for their freedom, so I feel that they owe it to them to honor the flag and the anthem.

By the way, I just got off the phone with ATT, it took an hour to cancel my Uverse program that used to bring me the NFL. So in a round about way they have saved me some money.

Jim

[Serk]

If the market can bear the money they're paid then I don't begrudge them that salary, as long as it's not being forcibly extracted from me to pay them. (Which unfortunately due to government subsidies of sports stadiums it kind of is.)

I think the issue isn't that they've earned or not earned the exorbitant salaries, or that they're not deserving of the large amount of money they're earning.

The issue is how ungrateful they are, having a life most can only dream of, making more money in a single season than most hard working people make in an entire career, and still whining and complaining about every little perceived problem.

[phideux]

I don't care how much they make, that is not the issue. They are all spouting off on oppression about the Black man.
We just had a Black President
Black First Lady
2 Black Attorney Generals
Black Doctors
Black Lawyers
Black CEOs
Black Professors
Black Governors
Black Mayors
Black Senators
Black Congresspeople
And the list goes on and on. They are Playing in a game that is Majority Black(most sports are)
They made it, all the other people made it, where is the oppression???? The world is what you make of it, the educational opportunities are there for everyone regardless of race. If you work hard at life anyone can be a success, regardless of your race.
These players are paid to play a game and entertain us, with their protest they are pissing people off and driving them away from watching. The people stop watching, stop buying products they endorse, stop going to the games,they won't be getting paid millions to play anymore because the money they used to bring in starts drying up.
They are protesting about all the black people being shot by the police, more White people are shot and killed by the police every year than Black people. The White people praise the police when they take another criminal off the streets permanently, give them a freaking medal. In the Black community when the police shoot and kill a Black Criminal, which by the way was the case in over 99% of the police shoots, the Black people come out of the woodwork about how the dead guy was such a good guy, getting his life straightened out, going to school, carrying hiss bible, whatever, then the protests start along with the looting and burning.
Then there is the unfair treatment by the NFL. Colin Kapernick can wear his little socks with the police depicted as pigs on them, and he is a hero. Another player wants to wear shoes that have 9/11 on them for the 15th anniversary of the terror attacks, NFL says nope. The Cowboys want to wear a little memorial sticker on their helmets for the 5 police officers who were gunned down by a Black man to protest police killing blacks, NFL says no way.

Again, I don't care what they are paid, millions??? don't care. But you are getting paid to entertain, your disrespect to the flag and this nation is not entertaining. Stand up in respect to this land that lets you do what you do.

[The emperor has no clothes]

If the market can bear the money they're paid then I don't begrudge them that salary, as long as it's not being forcibly extracted from me to pay them. (Which unfortunately due to government subsidies of sports stadiums it kind of is.)

I think the issue isn't that they've earned or not earned the exorbitant salaries, or that they're not deserving of the large amount of money they're earning.

The issue is how ungrateful they are, having a life most can only dream of, making more money in a single season than most hard working people make in an entire career, and still whining and complaining about every little perceived problem.

Every little perceived problem ?  The killing of the kid playing with a toy gun in a park may seem a little problem. The killing of a man selling cigarettes on the sidewalk may seem a little problem, the shooting in the back of a man stopped for a traffic violation may seem a little problem. These might all seem trivial to you. They aren't to many, including myself. I think the players are wrong how they are going about showing their protest. That doesn't make the problem any less.

https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/

[solo1]

IMO, the issue is not how hard they worked to get there.  I don't give a rat's patootie. They knew it was for entertainment only AND they knew that they would well be compensated for that by loyal fans paying big bucks.

The problem is that they picked the wrong venue to demonstrate against 'wrongs'  First of all, they are similar to Hollywood people in that success in the entertainment world seems to make them think that their opinion means something........it doesn't to me.

They are idiots to demonstrate against our country, our Flag, and our National Anthem.  If they don't like the prez, they can demonstrate against him in a different way when they're off duty, so to speak

They have pissed off veterans and all others who show their patriotism,( which is not a dirty word) and they went about it the wrong way.  Disrespect for our country is different than our opinion of our politicians.  Both are covered under the First Amendment but one should be inviolate (but it isn't, i know)

Our Republic still is the best and has survived the many politicians....so far.  It should be respected for that.

[Wizzard]

Could not agree more with Wayne. I do not watch a game to get political statements. Especially ones against our flag. They had a fit when Tebow kneeled and now they are doing it. I cancelled all subs to the NFL and have not watched a single game. I am done with their crap. They have all kinds of rules about dancing in the end zone and celebrating, but they cannot control this one? I call a capitol BS 

[Robert]

As many have said money is not the issue, its the lack of respect and caring that went into giving you the ability to train and get that position in the USA. There are many ways to protest, burning buildings, sucker punching people, stealing, killing taking a knee when others have died to protect your freedoms are all failed ways to protest.

While they are training maybe they can train them to have manners and respect like the old etiquette schools did. But I doubt seriously you can instill in these people all of them of any color that there are some things that you dont do.

I would like to say one other thing to dismiss Kep the way you did was not respectful. I think you missed the point. maybe you are too close, but thanks for playing.

This will bring it all home below, absolutely disgusting.


Picture Of Man Kneeling At Tomb Of Unknown Soldier Infuriating The Internet
https://www.weaselzippers.us/358772-picture-of-man-kneeling-at-tomb-of-unknown-soldier-infuriating-the-internet/

If players dont have respect for the country why should the country have respect for the players? Appreciate what you have and be grateful.

[Oss]

lots of good points

For me its like 3W said to me once about why you shouldnt try to teach a pig to dance.

You will just get dirty and it will frustrate the pig

Now before someone gets all upset I am not saying either side is a pig

If a person or group will show no or lack respect for the country and lack of  respect for other people then one should not be surprised that the group members cant understand why their "protest" is being so viscerally opposed.

I dont care how many or even the  types of perceived insults that are being protested NEVER resort to insult the country, its soldiers, families and supporters.  It demeans them and frustrates everyone and polarizes the country

As I say often  WHO STANDS TO GAIN BY FURTHER DIVISION of the country. Does it  seem to be the far left and the globalists.  Surely the players cant benefit, the NFL cant benefit look deeper my friends

All lives matter, the ones who agree with us and the ones who dont. The litmus test for me comes when someone wishes ill toward someone just because _________ (pick religion, race, geographic region, sex)  Someone wants me gone, then that is different, game on

[hubcapsc]

The killing of a man selling cigarettes on the sidewalk

He died while resisting arrest.

the shooting in the back of a man stopped for a traffic violation

The officer is in jail.

-Mike

[Alpha Dog]

As I say often  WHO STANDS TO GAIN BY FURTHER DIVISION of the country. Does it  seem to be the far left and the globalists.  Surely the players cant benefit, the NFL cant benefit look deeper my friends


[/quote]

Nailed it spot on OSS.

[G-Man]

If the market can bear the money they're paid then I don't begrudge them that salary, as long as it's not being forcibly extracted from me to pay them. (Which unfortunately due to government subsidies of sports stadiums it kind of is.)

I think the issue isn't that they've earned or not earned the exorbitant salaries, or that they're not deserving of the large amount of money they're earning.

The issue is how ungrateful they are, having a life most can only dream of, making more money in a single season than most hard working people make in an entire career, and still whining and complaining about every little perceived problem.

Every little perceived problem ?  The killing of the kid playing with a toy gun in a park may seem a little problem. The killing of a man selling cigarettes on the sidewalk may seem a little problem, the shooting in the back of a man stopped for a traffic violation may seem a little problem. These might all seem trivial to you. They aren't to many, including myself. I think the players are wrong how they are going about showing their protest. That doesn't make the problem any less.

https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/

Perpetuation of half truths to make a poor point.  Boy cut orange tip off of toy gun and didn't obey police commands.  Man with respiratory disease disobeys police and physically fights with them.  You should have also used Hands Up Don't Shoot since you're perpetuating garbage.  Yes, the guy who got shot in the back was awful, the rest, justified, as per court decisions based on evidence, not hateful thinking that cops are out to kill people of color. 

[PhoenixRizing]

Well to start off I don't watch sports. Don't like football. Never got into it. I'm not your normal 40 something middle age man. I got into an accident when I was in 1st grade and was never allowed to play sports growing up and was raised by my momma so sports wasn't a big thing in my house. My wife however BIG broncos fan so whenever they play she usually watches them. One of my sons play in any sport through out his years in school and so forth. Sorry just a little back ground. Anyhoo coming from someone that doesn't like sports all too much to begin with, I'm more upset that they disrespected the country and the flag and what it stands for. I've got family that has fought for and since passed away for our freedoms we all take for granted . My son just came back from Afghanistan from fighting for our freedoms, and as do millions of other folks have families that have fought it's a big slap in the face to them. They need to remember who made them who they are and gave them the lifestyle they take for granted, as it was stated before if it wasn't for the fans they wouldn't have the money or that lifestyle. A fact that they are soon going to find out. Besides think of all the great things you guys are now gonna be able to do instead of being glued to the tv for hours. Just my two cents.

[The emperor has no clothes]

If the market can bear the money they're paid then I don't begrudge them that salary, as long as it's not being forcibly extracted from me to pay them. (Which unfortunately due to government subsidies of sports stadiums it kind of is.)

I think the issue isn't that they've earned or not earned the exorbitant salaries, or that they're not deserving of the large amount of money they're earning.

The issue is how ungrateful they are, having a life most can only dream of, making more money in a single season than most hard working people make in an entire career, and still whining and complaining about every little perceived problem.

Every little perceived problem ?  The killing of the kid playing with a toy gun in a park may seem a little problem. The killing of a man selling cigarettes on the sidewalk may seem a little problem, the shooting in the back of a man stopped for a traffic violation may seem a little problem. These might all seem trivial to you. They aren't to many, including myself. I think the players are wrong how they are going about showing their protest. That doesn't make the problem any less.

https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/

Perpetuation of half truths to make a poor point.  Boy cut orange tip off of toy gun and didn't obey police commands.  Man with respiratory disease disobeys police and physically fights with them.  You should have also used Hands Up Don't Shoot since you're perpetuating garbage.  Yes, the guy who got shot in the back was awful, the rest, justified, as per court decisions based on evidence, not hateful thinking that cops are out to kill people of color. 

Gary, I assume since you quoted me you are releasing me from your admonition to never communicate with you ? The boy was gunned down within seconds of the police driving up on him. You really believe that they were in the right ? They handled just about everything incorrectly in that incident.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2014/nov/26/cleveland-video-tamir-rice-shooting-police

[Moonshot_1]

This comes from the perspective of having umpired our local little league and CABA 10 and under World Series games years ago.

I've never been a big fan of pro sports. Ever. But if you want to see real baseball a little league baseball tournament series is a sight to see. I'd take that over any pro game any day.

That said, it was my observation that we would see highly talented kids playing in these tournaments. What I did notice over the years was that the great 12 year old player generally became the good 14 year old player. The kid would hit his or her peak at 12 then their classmates and peers would catch up athletically. It was rare that the great 10 or 12 year old would continue to keep his or her edge as the years progressed. Seen a number of kids pushed way too hard, particularly pitchers, and lose their elbow or wrist. Sometimes the price is just too damn high at that age for a fleeting shot at glory.

As to what pro athletes get paid, who cares? It is a business and the business will pay what the talent is worth to them.

As to the value of the pro athlete, or any business for that matter, to me, if they choose to do something that disrespects me or the things I hold dear, their "value" will diminish respectively.

If I own such a business and my employees conduct themselves in a way to disrespect my customers, they no longer have any value at all.

[Varmintmist]

They deserve every dime they can get paid to play games. They deserve no respect, nor do they deserve to be coddled by their employer which is what this is about. It isnt about their opinion, its about acting like a adult. If I wore my company uniform and/or protested while I was on the clock, I would be unemployed. Tebo was reprimanded for hitting a knee in a prayer. There is a bit of disconnect here.

[98valk]

If the market can bear the money they're paid then I don't begrudge them that salary, as long as it's not being forcibly extracted from me to pay them. (Which unfortunately due to government subsidies of sports stadiums it kind of is.)

I think the issue isn't that they've earned or not earned the exorbitant salaries, or that they're not deserving of the large amount of money they're earning.

The issue is how ungrateful they are, having a life most can only dream of, making more money in a single season than most hard working people make in an entire career, and still whining and complaining about every little perceived problem.

Every little perceived problem ?  The killing of the kid playing with a toy gun in a park may seem a little problem. The killing of a man selling cigarettes on the sidewalk may seem a little problem, the shooting in the back of a man stopped for a traffic violation may seem a little problem. These might all seem trivial to you. They aren't to many, including myself. I think the players are wrong how they are going about showing their protest. That doesn't make the problem any less.

https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/

more blacks are murdered by other blacks than by police, more Non-blacks are killed by police. More black children are killed by the abortion clinics than by the police. Statistical Facts!
blacks that die by the police are at a high % of fighting the police, holding a weapon and refusing to drop it and resisting arrest.
Remember McNabb was crucified for stating black on black crime is the main problem.
the cigarette guy had a heart attack. If people would watch the video it is extremely clear that he was not choked out by the officer. The office controlled his head to take the over 300lb guy resisting arrest down. where the head goes is where the body goes.
u really need to do in depth reading and analysis instead of just reading the large print headlines.

[Roadog]

If the market can bear the money they're paid then I don't begrudge them that salary, as long as it's not being forcibly extracted from me to pay them. (Which unfortunately due to government subsidies of sports stadiums it kind of is.)

I think the issue isn't that they've earned or not earned the exorbitant salaries, or that they're not deserving of the large amount of money they're earning.

The issue is how ungrateful they are, having a life most can only dream of, making more money in a single season than most hard working people make in an entire career, and still whining and complaining about every little perceived problem.

Every little perceived problem ?   The killing of the kid playing with a toy gun in a park may seem a little problem. The killing of a man selling cigarettes on the sidewalk may seem a little problem, the shooting in the back of a man stopped for a traffic violation may seem a little problem. These might all seem trivial to you. They aren't to many, including myself. I think the players are wrong how they are going about showing their protest. That doesn't make the problem any less.

https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/

more blacks are murdered by other blacks than by police, more Non-blacks are killed by police. More black children are killed by the abortion clinics than by the police. Statistical Facts!
blacks that die by the police are at a high % of fighting the police, holding a weapon and refusing to drop it and resisting arrest.
Remember McNabb was crucified for stating black on black crime is the main problem.
the cigarette guy had a heart attack. If people would watch the video it is extremely clear that he was not choked out by the officer. The office controlled his head to take the over 300lb guy resisting arrest down. where the head goes is where the body goes.
u really need to do in depth reading and analysis instead of just reading the large print headlines.
[/quote

White on black crime is the only crime the msm can 'see' .  Black on white crime, black on black crime doesn"t exist .  

Roadog

[G-Man]

If the market can bear the money they're paid then I don't begrudge them that salary, as long as it's not being forcibly extracted from me to pay them. (Which unfortunately due to government subsidies of sports stadiums it kind of is.)

I think the issue isn't that they've earned or not earned the exorbitant salaries, or that they're not deserving of the large amount of money they're earning.

The issue is how ungrateful they are, having a life most can only dream of, making more money in a single season than most hard working people make in an entire career, and still whining and complaining about every little perceived problem.

Every little perceived problem ?  The killing of the kid playing with a toy gun in a park may seem a little problem. The killing of a man selling cigarettes on the sidewalk may seem a little problem, the shooting in the back of a man stopped for a traffic violation may seem a little problem. These might all seem trivial to you. They aren't to many, including myself. I think the players are wrong how they are going about showing their protest. That doesn't make the problem any less.

https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/

Perpetuation of half truths to make a poor point.  Boy cut orange tip off of toy gun and didn't obey police commands.  Man with respiratory disease disobeys police and physically fights with them.  You should have also used Hands Up Don't Shoot since you're perpetuating garbage.  Yes, the guy who got shot in the back was awful, the rest, justified, as per court decisions based on evidence, not hateful thinking that cops are out to kill people of color. 

Gary, I assume since you quoted me you are releasing me from your admonition to never communicate with you ? The boy was gunned down within seconds of the police driving up on him. You really believe that they were in the right ? They handled just about everything incorrectly in that incident.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2014/nov/26/cleveland-video-tamir-rice-shooting-police

You joined my thread, if I disagree, I'm gonna say so.  Just watched the video, you can't see anything.  I'll bet, can't be certain of course, that they were yelling commands from the car before they even stopped and got out.  And tell me, oh brave one, how many seconds does it take to tell the difference between a black pellet gun and a black bullet gun coming out of a waistband, and how old the gun holder is?  Too, late, you're already bleeding and your partner is yelling officer down while visions of your wife and kids flash in and out.

But you were there, right, so you know exactly what happened.  The courts got it wrong again, I guess. 

[G-Man]

Well this one went south quick, even took me down with it.  Just sick of the perpetuation of garbage that is keeping us from moving forward and sending us back to the 1970's.

Cops are shooting black people.  WHY?

Why are blacks or browns engaging in confrontations with police at a higher rate than those of other races?  And when confronted, why don't they know how to behave?  Liberals don't want to discuss these issues.  Progressives blame institutional racism.  Police forces in these communities are the most diverse in the world, and yes, with hierarchy of color all the way to the top including DA and defense.

Would love to have that real discussion, but it will never happen.  The cause can't be from within, it has to from our racist society and if you are a patriot of this society/country, you too are racist.

 

[The emperor has no clothes]

If the market can bear the money they're paid then I don't begrudge them that salary, as long as it's not being forcibly extracted from me to pay them. (Which unfortunately due to government subsidies of sports stadiums it kind of is.)

I think the issue isn't that they've earned or not earned the exorbitant salaries, or that they're not deserving of the large amount of money they're earning.

The issue is how ungrateful they are, having a life most can only dream of, making more money in a single season than most hard working people make in an entire career, and still whining and complaining about every little perceived problem.

Every little perceived problem ?  The killing of the kid playing with a toy gun in a park may seem a little problem. The killing of a man selling cigarettes on the sidewalk may seem a little problem, the shooting in the back of a man stopped for a traffic violation may seem a little problem. These might all seem trivial to you. They aren't to many, including myself. I think the players are wrong how they are going about showing their protest. That doesn't make the problem any less.

https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/

Perpetuation of half truths to make a poor point.  Boy cut orange tip off of toy gun and didn't obey police commands.  Man with respiratory disease disobeys police and physically fights with them.  You should have also used Hands Up Don't Shoot since you're perpetuating garbage.  Yes, the guy who got shot in the back was awful, the rest, justified, as per court decisions based on evidence, not hateful thinking that cops are out to kill people of color. 

Gary, I assume since you quoted me you are releasing me from your admonition to never communicate with you ? The boy was gunned down within seconds of the police driving up on him. You really believe that they were in the right ? They handled just about everything incorrectly in that incident.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2014/nov/26/cleveland-video-tamir-rice-shooting-police

You joined my thread, if I disagree, I'm gonna say so.  Just watched the video, you can't see anything.  I'll bet, can't be certain of course, that they were yelling commands from the car before they even stopped and got out.  And tell me, oh brave one, how many seconds does it take to tell the difference between a black pellet gun and a black bullet gun coming out of a waistband, and how old the gun holder is?  Too, late, you're already bleeding and your partner is yelling officer down while visions of your wife and kids flash in and out.

But you were there, right, so you know exactly what happened.  The courts got it wrong again, I guess. 

Your thread ? I'll go back to the non communication. 

[Hook#3287]

Gary, I feel you're right, those paid entertainers are paid what the market bears and how much that is has absolutely nothing to do with their protesting.

But, they have chosen to defile their entertainment venue to protest a political issue that has nothing to do with football or entertainment, alienating a large percentage of their customers.

I enjoy football and my perception is the NFL does a ton of localized charity work and some players are great role models, helping their communities.

I would love to see a list of the players (and others now) that "Take A Knee", against a list of how much they actually commit, both monetarily and physically, to help their fellow man.

My feeling, not much cross reference there.

My opinion, this crap has gotten outta hand.

I'm holding my response, or reaction to it, till after this Sunday and I'm going to base it on what the man in the NFL I respect the most does, if anything, Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

If he leaves it alone or stops it, he's got my continued support.  If he continues the rhetoric, I'm out and I'm gonna burn my Patriot hat.  (That's the only NFL thing I own and it was given to me )

I don't understand what Jerry Jones was trying to accomplish by joining his protesters on the field last week, but what he did, was make me dislike him more.

America's Team?  I don't know.

[MarkT]

Last game, last weekend 34 Broncos took a knee.  Now the backlash has come home.  The coach says ALL will stand for the anthem this Sunday against the Raiders.  Note, this is a game no Broncos fan wants to miss - Denver is the Home of the Raider Haters.  We'll see.  If I see ONE KNEE - the game is off in my house.  This crap really pisses me off.

The Bears and Packers face off in an hour.  At Lambeau.  Another rivalry I don't want to miss.  ONE KNEE - and it's off.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

IMO, the issue is not how hard they worked to get there.  I don't give a rat's patootie. They knew it was for entertainment only AND they knew that they would well be compensated for that by loyal fans paying big bucks.

The problem is that they picked the wrong venue to demonstrate against 'wrongs'  First of all, they are similar to Hollywood people in that success in the entertainment world seems to make them think that their opinion means something........it doesn't to me.

They are idiots to demonstrate against our country, our Flag, and our National Anthem.  If they don't like the prez, they can demonstrate against him in a different way when they're off duty, so to speak

They have pissed off veterans and all others who show their patriotism,( which is not a dirty word) and they went about it the wrong way.  Disrespect for our country is different than our opinion of our politicians.  Both are covered under the First Amendment but one should be inviolate (but it isn't, i know)

Our Republic still is the best and has survived the many politicians....so far.  It should be respected for that.

  Well said. 

[Rams]

Last game, last weekend 34 Broncos took a knee.  Now the backlash has come home.  The coach says ALL will stand for the anthem this Sunday against the Raiders.  Note, this is a game no Broncos fan wants to miss - Denver is the Home of the Raider Haters.  We'll see.  If I see ONE KNEE - the game is off in my house.  This crap really pisses me off.

The Bears and Packers face off in an hour.  At Lambeau.  Another rivalry I don't want to miss.  ONE KNEE - and it's off.

There are quite a few "Pros" who are back pedaling.    I think they finally realized that what they were doing was an insult to every American who ever served and the backlash has gotten their attention.    Some will continue their protest and I won't suggest they don't have that right.    What I will say is that I also have the right to change the channel.   Which is precisely what I'll do if and when I decide to watch another game.   That decision is still off in the future.


I'm betting the networks will stop showing and discussing who did what, they don't want to lose viewers.

[art]

I can just imagine what Reginald Denny has to say about the way the poor black men are treated.

[cookiedough]

Last game, last weekend 34 Broncos took a knee.  Now the backlash has come home.  The coach says ALL will stand for the anthem this Sunday against the Raiders.  Note, this is a game no Broncos fan wants to miss - Denver is the Home of the Raider Haters.  We'll see.  If I see ONE KNEE - the game is off in my house.  This crap really pisses me off.

The Bears and Packers face off in an hour.  At Lambeau.  Another rivalry I don't want to miss.  ONE KNEE - and it's off.

I missed most of the playing of the national anthem at the beginning grilling some pork.  Did anyone on either side take a knee?   I still would watch the Pack play but still is disgusting to see such disgrace by highly paid wussies...

That one Steelers lineman who came out of the tunnel against his coaches doings made me proud to be an American and in even more hatred towards the Steelers in general...

[MarkT]

Nope. Both sides stood and locked arms in "solidarity".  And "love". Looks to be NFL-directed.

[G-Man]

If the market can bear the money they're paid then I don't begrudge them that salary, as long as it's not being forcibly extracted from me to pay them. (Which unfortunately due to government subsidies of sports stadiums it kind of is.)

I think the issue isn't that they've earned or not earned the exorbitant salaries, or that they're not deserving of the large amount of money they're earning.

The issue is how ungrateful they are, having a life most can only dream of, making more money in a single season than most hard working people make in an entire career, and still whining and complaining about every little perceived problem.

Every little perceived problem ?  The killing of the kid playing with a toy gun in a park may seem a little problem. The killing of a man selling cigarettes on the sidewalk may seem a little problem, the shooting in the back of a man stopped for a traffic violation may seem a little problem. These might all seem trivial to you. They aren't to many, including myself. I think the players are wrong how they are going about showing their protest. That doesn't make the problem any less.

https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/

Perpetuation of half truths to make a poor point.  Boy cut orange tip off of toy gun and didn't obey police commands.  Man with respiratory disease disobeys police and physically fights with them.  You should have also used Hands Up Don't Shoot since you're perpetuating garbage.  Yes, the guy who got shot in the back was awful, the rest, justified, as per court decisions based on evidence, not hateful thinking that cops are out to kill people of color. 

Gary, I assume since you quoted me you are releasing me from your admonition to never communicate with you ? The boy was gunned down within seconds of the police driving up on him. You really believe that they were in the right ? They handled just about everything incorrectly in that incident.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2014/nov/26/cleveland-video-tamir-rice-shooting-police

You joined my thread, if I disagree, I'm gonna say so.  Just watched the video, you can't see anything.  I'll bet, can't be certain of course, that they were yelling commands from the car before they even stopped and got out.  And tell me, oh brave one, how many seconds does it take to tell the difference between a black pellet gun and a black bullet gun coming out of a waistband, and how old the gun holder is?  Too, late, you're already bleeding and your partner is yelling officer down while visions of your wife and kids flash in and out.

But you were there, right, so you know exactly what happened.  The courts got it wrong again, I guess. 

Your thread ? I'll go back to the non communication. 

Yep, just as expected.  They won't have that conversation.   

[0leman]

I got tired of this mess with the players, decided that I would not watch another single game this year.

If the players who are taking a knee would work towards erasing this "Social Injustice" then maybe I would start watching and have respect for them.  Taking knee doesn't cost them anything (unless the extra money they were getting is stopped).  They make a bunch more money than most of us. They should be using it to make neighborhoods more safe, keep young kids out of gangs, work to get the unemployed jobs,  work toward making the poor lives better.  Not just taking a knee, which is easy way out.  Walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I got tired of this mess with the players, decided that I would not watch another single game this year.

If the players who are taking a knee would work towards erasing this "Social Injustice" then maybe I would start watching and have respect for them.  Taking knee doesn't cost them anything (unless the extra money they were getting is stopped).  They make a bunch more money than most of us. They should be using it to make neighborhoods more safe, keep young kids out of gangs, work to get the unemployed jobs,  work toward making the poor lives better.  Not just taking a knee, which is easy way out.  Walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

Many of them do