Posted on 08/23/2017 2:55:52 PM PDT by GeorgiaDawg32
The NAACP's interim president Derrick Johnson has officially requested a formal meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss NFL players and their ability to exercise their First Amendment rights.
According to a letter sent to the league by the NAACP, the meeting will specifically focus on Kaepernick's perceived "blackballing" by the league in light of his protests last season. It also questions the silencing of NFL players' platforms, citing Tommie Smith and John Carlos's black power salute at the 1968 Olympics, among other examples.
Kaepernick's lack of a job has raised many eyebrows throughout the offseason, particularly with the quarterbacks being signed ahead of him. Johnson penned a concern regarding Kaepernick's First Amendment rights and also strongly insinuated that his protest was the sole cause of him not being signed. An excerpt of the letter reads:
Last season, Mr. Kaepernick chose to exercise his First Amendment rights by protesting the inequitable treatment of people of color in America. By quietly taking a knee during the national anthem, he was able to shine a light on the many injustices, particularly, the disproportionate occurrences of police misconduct toward communities of color. As outlined in your office's public statement, this act of dissent is well within the National Football League's stated bylaws. Yet, as the NFL season quickly approaches, Mr. Kaepernick has spent an unprecedented amount of time as a free agent, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that this is no sheer coincidence.
"No player should be victimized and discriminated against because of his exercise of free speech -- to do so is in violation of his rights under the Constitution and the NFL's own regulations.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbssports.com ...
Note to the NFL: Keep digging....
They go by the “Jim Crow” one drop rule.
If you are a punk, you will face repercussions. There is no protection from stupid speech, spout all the stupid crap, and do all the stupid crap you want. Just don’t be shocked when people react to your stupidity. Stupid’s!
Goodall is such an a-hole he will probably side with them. He threatened Texas if they passed the dudes in the girls bathrooms law. He is also going to get a 7 year extension.
no team owner who wants to sell tickets and other stuff.. will EVER hire or rehire anyone who gets out there and INSULTS, chases away the fans
they’d be crazy if they did
Even in the context of private employment, it is not the government's place to sanction me for my protected speech. The First Amendment protects only from government consequences though.
No one prevented him from running his mouth. His lack of job has to do with his behavior causing massive loss in sales. He agreed and signed his contract which has a conduct clause. If he failed to keep within the bounds of his contract or caused the ENTIRE NFL monetary losses so much that no one wants to touch him, then that’s all on him.
Yep.
Christian Ponder and Robert Griffin III are still available as are about 20 other QBs who have been on NFL rosters in the past.
http://nfltraderumors.co/2017-nfl-free-agents-list/
Yes, but your employer can sanction you. :-)
It’s not today. Thirty five years ago, I fired the son of the local NAACP president for sleeping in the janitor’s closet during work hours. Of course, I got in trouble and he got his job sleeping again.
Yep. Can and should.
“Congress shall make no law...”
The NFL is not Congress.
HaHaHa!! Great balls of fire!
actions have consequences, welcome to the big leagues
Don't Pepperball me bro!
I don't see anything in there concerning the NFL.
INDEED!
I’m sure they were all over Damore’s 1st Amendment Rights regarding his Google memo.
Hey Colin - you made your bed, now enjoy laying in it.
“As ye sow, so shall ye reap”
Everyone needs a lesson in “first amendment rights”.
It is 100% about what THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT DO - THE GOVERNMENT.
On an employers time, ANY employer, it - the first amendment - does not apply to any speech or behavior restrictions the employer has on what employees can and cannot do ON THE EMPLOYERS TIME.
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