RADIO STATION IN FAYETTEVILLE WON'T AIR ECU FOOTBALL GAME AFTER BAND MEMBERS' PROTEST [Flag Band]

ABC11.com (WTVD) ^ | October 4, 2016

[TYVets]

It also translates into riled-up university donors who may transfer donations elsewhere.

PLENTY of $ involved!

Ask the University of Missouri

[polymuser]

“I’m surprised a little bit that the director didn’t tell them to go pound sand.”

You mean the artsy fartsy, university-indoctrinated band director? Do you know how rampant queerness is in school bands nowadays?

[xzins]

Don’t invite the bands

[HKMk23]

NFL?

NFL.

Hmmm. N. F. L...

Are you, by chance, referring to that antiquated “sports” organization from yesteryear that committed suicide by kow-towing to the reprehensible narcissism of an increasing number of players?

[BlueLancer]

"Do you know how rampant queerness is in school bands nowadays?"

Well, I'm glad that I played in the band in high school and college when I did.

Why, I remember this one time at band camp ....

[polymuser]

Well, a lot of kids come back from band camp same-sexing nowadays.

[jch10]

Protest all you want but on your own time. Some have not learned that. I hope those taking a knee are suspended or removed from the band.

[bjorn14]

All this kneeling junk reminds me of the John Wooden/Bill Walton sagas. Bill had grown a ponytail and John had told him to get it it cut. Bill said it was his right and Coach told him that was his right to decide who plays or not. Bill had it cut that day.

Another time Bill wanted to make a political statement at a game and Wooden told him it was nice having him on the team and wished him luck in the future.

May Coach RIP.

[Colofornian]

All this kneeling junk reminds me of the John Wooden/Bill Walton sagas. Bill had grown a ponytail and John had told him to get it it cut. Bill said it was his right and Coach told him that was his right to decide who plays or not. Bill had it cut that day. Another time Bill wanted to make a political statement at a game and Wooden told him it was nice having him on the team and wished him luck in the future.

I think coaches (& teams/schools) can certainly set clearly demarcations on most things...but doesn't mean it's an absolute tow-the-line.

Let me give three examples...two from this NFL season & one from a college football team over 45 years ago:

(1) Avery Williamson of the Titans NFL won't fine Titans' Avery Williamson for 9/11 cleats

Williamson wore his customized red, white and blue cleats include stars, an American flag-inspired logo and the words “Never Forget” printed on the heel, despite the fact that the NFL had previously told all NFL players 'no':

NFL says no to 9/11 tribute cleats, police unions offers to pay fine

Even if Williamson had had to pay a fine, at least that-s a "win-win" situation for both sides: A player could stick to "free expression" convictions; the league can stick to setting & enforcing boundaries.

(2) Dallas Cowboys & decals on helmets after assassinations of Dallas officers: NFL says no to Cowboys helmet decal honoring fallen officers

(3) Participants in Black 14 incident share views

In this last case, 14 black football players for the 1969 University of Wyoming wanted to wear black armbands for a single game...the upcoming game vs. BYU. They were denied the request once. When they asked a second time, they were dismissed from the team.

They didn't even carry out a plan worth the dismissal.

Why the armbands? Because per Mormon theology, blacks could not be priests in the Mormon church in 1969. [This was true up thru 1978]. Hence, if you couldn't be part of the priesthood (which is every male Mormon 12 & up), then you were not eligible for living forever with God the Father in the Mormon heaven (per Mormon theology, that is).

I vigorously disagreed with the Wyoming coach kicking those 14 players off. Now had they wore the armbands after the coach told them "no," they could have chose to suspend each for a game. But to be kicked off the team for merely making a request? No. Definite overreach!

[Colofornian]

Protest all you want but on your own time. Some have not learned that.

My belief is I understand those who don't want to compartmentalize their own convictions. (Likewise, too many Christians are already culturally handcuffed from living out their faith in the public square).

So, I say:

"OK, if you're a college band member or a football player in uniform, and you want to go public with your convictions with that uniform on, fine. Proceed. Not going to stop you. Just don't think there won't be repercussions. If you're a Tim Tebow & you bend to one knee & pray on the field, they'll be media repercussions. Your reputation may be impacted, which in turn, could effect your career. Does that mean 'Don't pray on the field?' Nope. Does that mean 'Never pray publicly?' Nope. It does mean, however, 'be prepared to pay the price.'"

"Likewise, you can't be a football quarterback & run your own play without including the other 10 on the field. Nor can you be a football or basketball player who elects to wear a uniform that either looks like or is too close to the other team jersey. Boundaries exist for various reasons. Some are common sense; some militate vs. common sense. No matter. Not everything Martin Luther King did was 'within the law.' No matter. He was willing to pay the price, even when the law was unjust. So bend the knee to yourself and not the flag? Fine. Just be willing to pay the price, then, of your public convictions. And don't be surprised if you're booted from the band for a week or more."