Take-a-knee protests at NFL games drop dramatically after backlash

The Washington Times ^ | October 1, 2017 | Valerie Richardson

[jazusamo]

There was a lot more standing and a lot less kneeling at Sunday’s NFL games in what could be viewed as a victory for team unity or President Trump, depending on your perspective.

About 40 players — 30 of those from the San Francisco 49ers — took knees during the national anthem during Sunday’s slate of afternoon NFL games, far below the estimated 200 who knelt or sat last weekend in a show of protest during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The vast majority of NFL players stood at attention — in some cases linking arms with teammates and coaches — as the anthem was played. Several teams knelt in unison before the anthem was played, then stood.

The dramatic drop-off came after a backlash that saw some fans burn jerseys and vow to stop watching games in reaction to last weekend’s protests, which spiked after Mr. Trump suggested at a Sept. 23 rally that team owners should fire players who refuse to stand.

Some players found other ways to protest: About 15 raised their fists either during the anthem or afterward, while Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch wore a T-shirt before the game saying, “Everybody-vs-Trump,” then sat on the bench as the anthem played.

In London, three Miami Dolphins players took knees during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sung by Darius Rucker, then stood for the British anthem “God Save the Queen.”

[jazusamo]

As long as anyone in the NFL takes a knee during the National Anthem or raises a fist in protest the NFL will be dead to me.

[jazusamo]

League leadership, team owners and coaches have let this get out of hand, loss of revenue will solve it.

[Mr. Mojo]

So it’s finally beginning to penetrate their thick skulls that a backlash would eventually hurt them in the wallet.

Too late.

[Former Proud Canadian]

You and about 30 million other (former) fans.

What the NFL doesn't understand is that people have had enough. They will not settle for anything less than 100% participation of every player standing erect and still for the anthem. No kneeling, no locking arms, no stretching, no nonsense.

The league doesn't have the smarts to enforce its own rules and the players don't have the brains to get back in line, play the game, and cash the checks. The league will start to bleed cash and the game will never be what it once was.

[SkyPilot]

The NFL and Roger Goodell refuse to put a stake through the heart of their crybaby, out of control players, and until they do many fans are simply not coming back.

People have to understand that at black colleges, in Black Studies curriculum, and in conversations in many black households, the repeat the lie that American history is nothing by oppression, rape, and enslavement of blacks. They refuse to see that it was this country who ended slavery (and it was Christians who led the charge). They refuse to see God's plan for America, the goodness of our Constitution, and the incredible blessing is it to live here.

They want it both ways. They want to hate America, and yet they want to personally profit from it. They want all the luxury, and none of the sacrifice and respect that accompanies being an American.

This is what the black racists believe:

Out of Darkness (A Film by Δ+)

[moovova]

During the anthem, Carolina Panthers’ Julius Peppers stood by the team bench while the rest of his team stood, hand over heart.

Traitorous pig.

[SkyPilot]

The league doesn't have the smarts to enforce its own rules and the players don't have the brains to get back in line, play the game, and cash the checks.

Over 70% of the NFL is comprised of black males. Over 95% of the defense players in the NFL are black males.

The owners are terrified of having to stand up to their own players, because they don't want to be called "racists." Trump knows this. He tweeted the owners are afraid of their players.

[hardspunned]

The owners could take one positive step by firing that leftist idiot Goodell. By throwing him completely under the bus they could at least get my attention again.

[MtnClimber]

Most of the players are really stupid and will be making less than $15 per hour flipping burgers unless they live in Seattle.

[jazusamo]

Agreed...Goodell should be gone.

[umgud]

Too little too late, besides, we already know how the kneelers feel about out anthem, our flag and us.

[jazusamo]

Lets git ‘er done, folks!

Please bump the Freepathon or click above to donate or become a monthly donor!

[right way right]

Never again, they showed their lousy Marxist hearts.

[redcatcherb412]

Over 70% of the NFL is comprised of black males. Over 95% of the defense players in the NFL are black males. The owners are terrified of having to stand up to their own players, because they don't want to be called "racists." Trump knows this. He tweeted the owners are afraid of their players

Probably time to finish the segregation that is almost complete with the 70%/95% figures. NegroFootballLeague and a separate AmericanFootballLeague would work. Seems that's the end goal looking at player ratios.

[ExSES]

TOO LATE!

[MUDDOG]

in some cases linking arms with teammates and coaches

Aaron Rodgers gay link-a-thon is just as bad.

Same message to the patriotic fans -- FU.

[RightGeek]

Paging the Boo Hoo girl

[stinkerpot65]

Yep. Will Never Watch Again.

Millionaire thugs want us to applaud their criminal culture.

Cowardly cuck owners.

[SaxxonWoods]

It’s dead to me even if they all stop protesting.

They hate white people and America.

Eff them.

[metmom]

They are not fooling anyone.

They are still protesting and still going to lose viewers.