Posted on 12/01/2014 7:41:03 PM PST by Phillyred
I guess life would be less complicated if we just left sports to be about the games.
I get it that a lot of people who watched Sunday’s NFL game between the St. Louis Rams and Oakland Raiders were angered that Rams players Jared Cook, Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens and Tavon Austin made a visual statement about a polarizing social issue.
During the introduction of the St. Louis offense, the five players stopped near the tunnel and raised their arms in the universal sign of “I surrender.”
It was a statement about the recent grand jury decision not to indict Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson in the Aug. 9 shooting death of teenager Michael Brown. Wilson is white. Brown was African-American like the five players. Some witnesses to the shooting said Brown had his hands up and was surrendering when Wilson fatally shot him.
The grand jury decision not to indict Wilson for a trial set off a second series of protests - several that turned violent - and has re-opened a national debate about police and the value they place on the lives of African-Americans.
Still while I understand the position of those who say, this debate does not belong on a football field, I applaud the NFL for reportedly supporting our Constitution by deciding to not fine or discipline the Rams players for exercising their First Amendment rights.
In our society, sports, particularly televised sports, have become a powerful platform for addressing social issues.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
Free speech is OK...as long as it’s on your own time. Those duffus’ are being paid very well to do a job, and that job doesn’t include making some sort of Al Sharpton statement..
Fire them for inciting to riot.
“national debate”???? There’s nothing to debate, attack a cop and things will not go well for you.
Everybody everywhere in every country knows this.
They have no way of knowing if the player is praying.
>> “Everybody everywhere in every country knows this.” <<
.
Tianamin Square!
.
I agree. But they should be sent to an IDIOT rehabilitation camp. If there is such a thing. Any entrepreneurs listening?
really?????? this is laughable... no--it's bull$h17...
Never paid much attention to the Rams, but now I can see why they consistently lose.
It’s not about the First Amendment, it is about a business making a decision about a few employees.
If you wish to discipline the Rams players, you can buy the team.
It’s legal to be an a$$hole in this country.
I think that the players showed that the truth does not matter to them and that they will side with the thugs if there is an incident. No policeman should be put in that no-win situation.
The police should respectfully decline an invitation to provide security at the stadium. No cops protecting the players, no cops directing traffic, no cops within 500 feet.
No they should just be forced to play their next game with their pants on the ground, to celebrate black culture
The league says it’s concerned about what the players do on and off the field. So this is not just okay because they can do what they want. It is an insult to the community and the cops in the area.
Well I do not give two hoots about that football team.
I personally don’t give two hoots about any football team, basketball team, etc. I grew up with athletics in my family. Sure it did keep many of the kids out of trouble and off the streets (not cruising main, however). . . .now look at their role models. . .their actions, dress, conduct, lack of patriotism, values. . .let alone the tax dollars that were provided to send most to school for an education they never received. If my siblings had gone around with over sized clothes, jewelry, piercings, tattoos, coin return pants and outlandish hair do’s my Dad would have “grounded for life”.
Personal life[edit]
On April 12, 2011, Britt was arrested in New Jersey on three counts (including a felony) following an alleged car chase with police. The charges were later reduced.[9] On June 7, Britt pled guilty to careless driving and was fined.[10] On June 8, 2012, Britt was arrested in Hoboken, NJ, charged with resisting arrest.[11] On January 13, 2013, Britt’s close personal friend was involved in a stabbing and Britt reportedly drove him to the Jersey City Medical Center. When police attempted to ask Britt about the incident, he was allegedly not willing to cooperate. The incident marks the ninth time Britt was involved with police since he joined the NFL.[12] In May 2014, a sex video briefly appeared on Britt’s Instagram. The Rams announced they were looking into the incident. [13]
“The Fans have to stop being Stupid Fans and take their money elsewhere”
Exactly. The NFL is a business. It’s about the money. If fans agree with their heroes that cops are out to assassinate black youth, then they can keep buying tix to support the cause.
A commie lib “applauding” somebody supporting the U.S. Constitution. ROTFL! Now there’s a first.
In 1972, Elvis was asked a question concerning the Vietnam War at a press conference:
Question: “You were in the Army and were drafted. What is your opinion of war protesters? And would you today refuse to be drafted?”
Elvis: “Honey, I’d just soon to keep my own personal opinions about that to myself? Cause I’m just an entertainer and I’d rather not say.”
For me, it’s not about a football player’s freedom of speech. It’s about the fact that they are paid to play football, and if we want anything else from them...like their opionion on anything...we’ll ask for it.
Stupid ‘hands up’ gesture by a bunch of black millionaires.
Like the nba, I don’t watch it anymore. I watch some college football but that is about it. I am not going to support a bunch of “hands up” type clowns.
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