Posted on 10/14/2017 1:16:50 PM PDT by markomalley
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell signaled last week that a change in policy regarding standing for the national anthem would be approved by team owners at the annual fall meeting next week.
But the players and their allies in the media pushed back -- hard. Now it appears that Goodell and the players union will codify a policy that will allow kneeling or any other protest during the playing of the anthem. And the league will justify it by using the NFL brand as a "platform to both raise awareness and make progress on issues of social justice and equality in this country."
In other words, a total, complete cave to the players.
“What we don’t have is a proposal that changes our policy, we don’t have something that mandates anything. That’s clear. If that was the case I doubt the head of the NFLPA would have put a joint statement out with us.”
The statement released on Wednesday said Goodell invited NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith to the meetings and that the agenda will be a continuation of how to make progress on the important social issues that players have vocalized.
The protests, in a league where African-Americans make up the majority of players, have continued through the current season, with some players kneeling and others standing arm-in-arm in solidarity.
The gesture is intended to call attention to what protesting players see as a pattern of racism in the treatment of African-Americans by U.S. police.
The issue has been exacerbated after U.S. President Donald Trump said last month that players who did not stand during the anthem should be fired.
Lockhart said the discussions will focus on how to use the broad platforms of the NFL, players and clubs to try and make progress on issues of equality, social justice and criminal justice reform.
“These are issues that are important to our clubs, issues that are important to our players, issues that are important to the communities in which we play,” said Lockhart.
”That’s what we are discussing. So for everyone who has speculated over the last few days that somehow there is a proposal that is set for a vote on Tuesday or Wednesday you are speculating.
“Those who are reporting it as fact are reporting it incorrectly.”
And that will be that. The league will bow to the players' disrespect for the flag -- even though they piously claim that's not what they're doing -- and adopt their radical thesis that police are targeting black people and are racist to the core. I think that in responsem police departments in NFL cities should refuse to provide any security for NFL games. After all, we wouldn't want the delicate nature of 350 lb. men to be affected by having all these racist police in uniforms making it possible for fans to enjoy the games in safety.
The inmates are in control of the asylum. The National Football League cares more about the radical political views of its players than the feelings and patriotism of its fans. They have apparently resigned themselves to having to live with this controversy for the foreseeable future.
In the meantime, they will continue to lose fans who attend games and watch on TV. Other revenue streams like merchandise will also be negatively impacted.
So much for "America's Game."
That covers about 95% of all jobs.
So the NFL league office of the Remissioner can still fine players for illegal hits or drugs but won’t fine them for not standing while the anthem is played? Well then perhaps their rights are also infringed on if they can’t perform illegal hits or take drugs to enhance their careers. Roger Badhell is a poor guardian of choose to watch over Pandora’s Box.
What do you expect from 20 somethings with earnings in the million dollar range? They don’t seem to care that they are being used to destroy the very thing which pays them their gigantic earnings,
And thus the NFL dies.
Perfect. $50 to the first player to use the anthem to post a “Choose Life” sign or banner and watch all the black bigots throw a fit. Raising awareness to social causes....what better than an anti-abortion message?
>Will true Americans have the guts to boycott the NFL? Or will this be like most boycotts, where everyone gives in because they can’t do without?
We don’t even need to boycott it. SJW by their nature are there to destroy institutions. People are naturally repelled by them and the NFL will now die a slow death. Before it’s gone Arena football will be more watched than the NFL.
ah yes, reminds me of the Indiana Jones movie, where that dude said the guy who drank from the wrong grail, “chose poorly”, as he died from having chose the wrong grail to drink from.
LOL, these NFL owners, Goodell, etc. are siding with the liberals and will see their business income erode as a result.
Good riddance, NFL.
Goodell backbone of an over- ripe banana.
I thought about more colorful description of the ripe fruit but opted to restrain myself.
Is that Goddell’s wife; I think I heard his wife had gone on web sites to comment in support of the players and NFL owners? But she was there secretly, didn’t reveal her identity?
If so, then that brings up more questions to me, such as, is his wife liberal? And is the commish making business decisions based on pillow talk from a liberal woman? Even if it is his wife?
Excellent points.
When you are a SJW, all rules are tossed out the window. The end justifies the means.
Very true.
I like my job overall, but there are aspects of it I don’t care for. But I realize, that as a professional, I’m being paid to sit there and do those distasteful tasks.
I’m also a pretty well paid professional, and like the paycheck I get from the job. I appreciate getting a good paycheck to make my life better in other areas, such as the neighborhood I get to live in, etc. provided by that pay.
LOL, what a funny off color joke. I’m sure Bill Clinton could appreciate it, considering his consorting with Monica.
I wonder if Hillary would laugh it up at such a joke......
Let’s not let this go unnoticed during black history month and Martin Luther King day. The black bullies are going to lose this one.
If it isn’t the milkman visiting the ****** family...
Mall cops for security?
I can’t speak for other places, but I know, when the Chargers were in San Diego, games against the Raiders drew a bad element, and the San Diego police presence was routinely doubled at games vs. the Raiders.
I shudder to think about how it would be, with mall cops, as opposed to actual police, at those games.
His wife is Jane Skinner, and she used to host a news show on Fox News.
Death knell to the NFL. Bye-bye you privileged felons.
The number of season ticket renewals next season will be interesting.
Why bother since viewership is tanking. Pretty soon they’ll just be playing for nothing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.