Welcome to the Second Civil War Vol. 5 (Bread & Circuses are not immune)

Throughout history, nations and peoples have taken to some form of entertainment and athleticism as an agreed-upon escape from the day-to-day; even during wartime. And for the most part, all parties viewed such venues ‘cease-fire’ zones, i.e, ‘This is a neutral realm. We don’t fight our battles here’.

But due to incompetence of leadership and the desperation of this enemy, the Second Civil War has reached what used to be a neutral space – The American Gridiron.

By J. Johnson

But due to incompetence of leadership and the desperation of this enemy, the Second Civil War has reached what used to be a neutral space – The American Gridiron.

This didn’t start with a hand full of National Football League (NFL) employees deciding to show blatant disrespect for their audience (read: customers). We can go back a few years when it was decided that ‘taking a knee’ as a Christian was frowned upon, and “October pink” became the order of the day. The NFL was already on the path of not recognizing their audience.

But after over a year of tolerated behavior which is the literal book definition of “not protecting the shield”, someone on September 22, 2017 finally decided to call out that Naked Emperor called “NFL Arrogance”. That person happens to be the President of the United States. Like it or not, he spoke for millions, and this writer has heard similar words spoken around water coolers, and outside stadiums themselves over the past two years.

The scribes of the enemy (read: media) took the bait immediately, and making the issue about (of course) the President himself, while making note that he did not mention the name of the court-jester that started this most recent debacle, a former QB of a west coast team. They didn’t report that Mr. Trump also didn’t mention the real culprit who has allowed a high-revenue generating, sports/entertainment venue to become weaponized…

… We’re speaking of one Roger Goodell – whose days should be numbered as Commissioner of the sport, else the league he governs may commit social and economic suicide.

The whole matter can be resolved by having NFL employees who choose not to join in with their employees for honoring their country to simple stay in the locker rooms until the remembrance is over. Or even playing the national anthem before the players even arrive on the field. But neither will probably happen since Goodell, and the 32 shareholders (owners) are committing ‘Category Error’. By wrongly thinking this is some kind of ‘protest’, all efforts to resolve the matter will also fail. You see, the moment an NFL employee decides to ‘take a knee’ in protest, it is no longer about the ‘issue’. It about themselves.

Yes, taking a knee is a great way to draw attention – to yourself. But in reality, how is it really addressing anything, and why decide to anger your customers in places where these issues are supposed to be left outside? (Remember, the good ol’ days when the NFL didn’t accept political ads?) And even more direct: Does it address any of the glaring internal issues facing this institution?

The answer: no, it doesn’t. So with that in mind, please allow this American who happens to be a descendant of African people to speak bluntly to the NFL employees who believe they have this ‘privilege’ for reasons other than entertainment:

Dear Black NFL players:

You may have noticed I referred to you as ‘employees’ during this entire article. That’s because it’s the truth. You are employed by an institution that has made more black men wealthy than any other entity on the planet. And the arrogance toward your audience and even your fellow players risks the destruction of the league itself.

The talk of boycotting the NFL has gone beyond threats. It’s happening before your eyes. Americans of all walks of life invest BILLIONS annually toward the NFL, but are coming to the realization that if forced to ‘choose sides’, pro football isn’t the only Thursday, Sunday, or Monday pastime in this country. Not supporting your cause doesn’t cost the NFL audience anything. In fact, we save money. There is no way you come out as winners on this.

The NFL owners have nothing to do with your perceived injustices in this country. There is nothing they can do about it. But if any of you think your prominence is such that it demands attention, I suggest there are many urban areas that could use a few more big brothers; a few fatherly figures to help keep the ‘at-risk’ youth kids from taking the wrong path, leading down a road to an angry confrontation with a peace officer (or more commonly, another angry black person).

If there was as much injustice in America toward black people as your claim, you wouldn’t be in a position to make noise about it. Look at your bank accounts. Most Americans of all colors don’t make that much. And you want them to take up your cause?

Or perhaps you would like Black football fans to help your cause… and boycott the NFL? Think about that.

We tune in to see your performance, not your politics. I suggest you ‘brothas’ take a look at how the racial make-up of Major League Baseball has changed over the years. Ask yourselves was the demographic change by that league deliberate to avoid what the NFL is dealing with right now?

So, before you decide to make it all about you on game day, remember what other sports leagues have learned in the past:

Football players replaceable. Football fans are not.

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