Posted on 10/18/2017 5:29:48 PM PDT by 11th_VA
Just weeks ago, members of the Jacksonville Jaguars made international news by protesting the U.S. national anthem on foreign soil.
Ahead of a game in London, Jaguars kneeled — and owner Shad Khan supported their protest by standing with the team during the anthem.
In the interim, an attempt to walk it back: as a mea culpa letter from Jaguars President Mark Lamping to a city of Jacksonville official made clear on Oct. 6.
The team, wrote Lamping, “was remiss in not fully comprehending the effect of the national anthem demonstration on foreign soil has had on the men and women who have or continue to serve our country.”
“We owe you an apology and hope you will accept it,” Lamping added.
That formal apology followed a meeting between Jags ownership and management and military leaders and veterans — with one meeting attendee speaking out in a letter obtained by Florida Politics, which questioned the apology.
That veteran: Anthony (Tony) D’Aleo, the President of the local Nicholas J. Cutinha Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 1046.
D’Aleo’s account of the meeting filled in many of the gaps left by the Lamping letter to the city official, ascribing material motivations to the Jaguars’ about-face.
“What I got out of this meeting: they are worried of protest and ticket sales — merchandise very low. Michael from the USO said he purchased 1500 tickets at low price for the last game and only sold 200,” D’Aleo wrote.
D’Aleo also questioned the legitimacy of the apology itself.
“The Jaguars don’t think they did anything wrong, (to me that’s bull). They have reason why they knelt — they blamed it on Trump and the NFL Commissioner why they did it.”
“[Shad Khan, the Jaguars owner] and Mark [Lamping] said, the Jaguars will not apologize or say they are sorry to the Veteran Community. I felt they bought the city, with that Million Dollars donation,” D’Aleo wrote.
The $1 million donation was a financial commitment made in 2014 to the city’s military affairs department by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Our military, both active duty and retired, is an important part of the fabric of Jacksonville and the Jaguars fan base,” said Khan. “When veterans decide to call Jacksonville home, that’s an honor for all of us, and with that comes the responsibility to support them in their transition to civilian life.”
We have reached out to the city and the team for their comments on D’Aleo’s account of the meeting; check back for updates.
I love it !!!
But wait...why apologize? The players/coaches have a right to promote leftist politics at the game said everyone in NFL land.........
With all due respect, these pictures tell us nothing of the time, date and who the opponent was when they were taken. If we are going down this road, then WE need to not enter into any sort of hyperbole from which we can be discredited.
I was an original Jaguars season ticket holder and for five years thereafter until my involvement in professional motorsports conflicted with going to the games. In actuality, the top picture is before they installed the megatrons at both ends of the stadium and the shadows also tell me this was most likely a pre-season game over two years ago when it was HOT. Typically, days in August mid-day are around 100 with close to a matching humidity. Not exactly ideal weather for a meaningless game.
Personally, with the information from the vet who attended this meeting referenced, it just solidified where I already was because of the last year with crapperdick and the circus that Goodell let metastasize. We were given free Sunday Ticket when we changed from U-Verse to DirecTV and cancelled that so we were not counted as even possibly watching it.
Well heck, they SAID they were sorry that he didn’t understand why they were protesting...
The top photo I posted was confirmed to be at kick off time.
Believe whatever you wish to believe. And if you want any more proof, you are free to do your own homework.
I agree and who ever posted the pictures should be held accountable by the site owner and taken to task
You could be correct that the Twitter poster was lying - didn’t consider that. If so, my apologies.
There ya go.
No worries. Its just that if we are to have the day, we need to rule it, not them.
BTW, I saw that second picture on Monday and had to snicker. That alone is the reason that letter was made public and I am even happier that the vet mentioned in the article blow the BS whistle, pun intended, on them.
I was very pleased with the Coach coming back and thrilled about watching Fournette develop but as a vet myself, they first disrespected me and all my brothers in arms who ask so very little if anything at all and all of a sudden I was back in 1972 again. Then we see Leonard was one of the kneelers. Fornicate them!
As a vet myself, I think this was disrespectful not just to my fellow vets, but to all patriotic Americans. That should be all of us. My non-vet friends are just as offended as I am. If you don’t love your country enough to show respect during the national anthem, then you should find a new country.
Point very well taken.
That scene is what needs to happen at every NFL game in every city, until they go broke. Nothing short of that will be a victory over these arrogant, anti-American brats...
Can’t wait to see the NFL bow down when their advertises bail on them. They putting a game above the USA, and their actions are based on lies that these liberals still believe; for example, “Hands up, don’t shoot!” And Michael Bennett lying about why the police detained him in Las Vegas. It is a purely emotional problem for them, so truth means nothing. Pathetic.
Note to NFL players: educate yourself on what the facts and data are; otherwise, quite crying and whining.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuump!!
Why the H is the USO still purchasing tickets since the NFL is supporting disrespect to our Anthem, and veterans by supporting the kneelers. .
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