Posted on 09/12/2016 11:41:45 AM PDT by EveningStar
DUMPING DOLPHINS
I have to say, after the pathetic display by the Miami Dolphins yesterday - and I'm not just talking about their usual pathetic play on the field, but rather, the silly seated protest during the national anthem - I am sad to say, the time may have come to finally hang up my fins.
To be completely fair, I must confess, I actually stopped watching professional football almost two decades ago... Don't get me wrong, I am still a longtime Dolphin fan... It's just they haven't played professional football since 2002.
I remember the golden days of the Dolphins, Don Shula and the '71, '72, '73, '82 and '84 Super Bowl teams, the two Super Bowl wins. The '72 perfect season, 14-0! The no name defense directed by Bill Arnsparger and led by Nick Buoniconti, with Bill Stanfill, Manny Fernandez, Dick Anderson and Jake Scott. The power offense fueled by Larry Czonka, Mercury Morris and Jim Kiik, and reinforced in the air by Bob Griese and Earl Morrall, to Paul Warfield, Howard Twilley and Marlin Briscoe.
The post WFL reconstruction with the Killer Bees led by Bob Baumhower, Doug Betters, Kim Bokamper, Charles Bowser, Bob Brudzinski, and the Blackwood boys.
The Marino era and the air attack led by the incomparable Dan Marino and the dueling Marks, Mark Clayton and Mark Duper, with supporting roles by Nat Moore, Jimmy Cefalo, and Jim Jensen and then the defense with Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor.
Awe, the good old days... It was a time when Dolphins made a bold statement on the field instead of on their butts.
And now, the current era.... Sitting on the bench during the national anthem.. if it wasn't for the what the national anthem stands for, most of these guys deserve to be permanently sitting on a bench. Pathetic.
I'm all for anyone exercising their constitutional right all they want. I'm a big proponent of the first amendment. We've discussed the idea that stupid people have to the right to be stupid. It's what makes America great. But enough about the election.
These players are celebrities. They have access to media all the time. We are used to them mouthing off on and off the field, in front of cameras and prosecutors. They have a right to do so, even during the national anthem.
But the national anthem represents all the rest of us. Have some decency and decorum.
I know you're a bunch of pampered quadrillionaires and it is so difficult to fight the oppressive nature of not having all the green m&ms sorted out of your snack packs while you luxuriate in your private jets, hot tubs and opulent hotel suites. The wrong caviar? I understand. Such oppression.
Our eyes and wallets are what pays your salary. You want to disrespect us? Let's return the favor.
If the NFL does not want to honor our National Anthem by allowing players to continue to display such ignorance and show a total lack of respect to the American people and our great country, then let's take a pass on watching the NFL.
You see, the NFL could easily ban this contemptuous behavior - the sitting during the national anthem, not the pathetic Dolphin performance on the field. Fine them. Let the players put some real skin in the game.
If you want to be disrespectful to our country, to our flag, to your fellow citizens, to your fans, then put your money where your big fat.. er, mouth is. I'm sure these overpaid celebrity athletes can afford it. The money can go to charities that are actually doing something more than sitting down to help blighted communities.
Then everyone can return to watching professional football. The players can defy the NFL rules and continue to protest and we can all continue to say they're a bunch of spoiled rotten babies but at least appreciate that they must really believe in the protest to shell out that kind of dough or more likely, continue to think they get paid way too much for far too little. Communities will get an infusion of well spent and well needed money.
I'm sure the Lamborghini dealerships, bling shops, bail bondsmen and defense lawyers will be in a state of mourning.
I'll turn the TV back on, I'll put my Dolphin jersey back on and.... I'll continue to skip watching professional football.
Like every Miami Dolphin fan, I haven't watched it for years.
-m
I believe we need to push these thugs to the front line in Iraq or Afghanistan. They might have a better appreciation of what our nation has to offer.
It would suit me fine if none of them ever came back.
Wait till some of the old Dolphin players weigh in on the antics of these newbies. It should be fun to see.
I’ve dumped the NFL. Done.
Yes, I am a compulsive Saints fan, so I checked on nola.com yesterday to see that they did their usual pitiful loss, but I didn’t turn the TV on for football all day, and I’m not going to again.
Get out of my country.
I watched the Dolphins game Sunday. I had no idea these knuckleheads were protesting because I didn’t start watching until after halftime. I was a huge Dolphins fan in the 70’s but haven’t watched a game in over 20 years. All I could say when it was over is “that was painful” Wow they really suck.
Damn Right
I grew up there and was a fan from the beginning but they lost me with this crap.
“Dolphins.... haven’t played professional football since 2002.”
Pffft. He should try being a Browns fan.
Mike, you can be a Seahawks fan.
For a long while I shunned the NFL when the Rams left LA but have had a long running love affair with the Hawks, especially when Krieg and Zorn lead the team. Russell Wilson is a brother in Christ and I admire him greatly, both on and off the field. They would welcome a talent such as you as one of the 12.
(Thanks for your great cartoons, my favorites!)
I dumped the NFL. I am a long time Falcon fan, and as far as I know, none of them took part in the hateful protest, but I am on total NFL blackout. When sports radio or other station start talking NFL, I turn the station. Same with ESPN and other tv stations.
Let me know when the NFL becomes American again.
I don’t watch football to hear politics. It’s supposed to be an enjoyable time away from the world. They want to piss on my beliefs and force their politics on me, then it’s an easy choice. #BoycottTheNFL
Yep. a total NFL blackout.
All teams, employees, sponsors, products and outlets will be held to account.
Get rid of these disrespectful, ungrateful a-holes, or you are gotten rid of.
Choice is your, you got one chance.
Kenny stills took a knee and refused to Stand for anthem.. Then dropped a wide open sure fire touchdown. Karma for that biatch.
SMH, this isn’t a constitutional right as the author expresses (the rot of schools)....the 1st amendment is freedom of the individual not to be a target of its government because he,she or entity speaks out against the government. It doesn’t protect a person within a private company!!!!!
Heck, *all* the old players would be fun to hear from. Somebody give Conrad Dobler a microphone!
If they can ban 911 cleats, then they can ban sitting during the anthem.
I’m on board.
Guy says what a lot of us are thinking/doing. I checked out when Steven Ross gave JLo a fractional ownership share.
That said, I’d really like to see Larry Csonka interviewed on the subject.
First game was 1973, my old man took me to see the Bills, Dick Anderson came up from the secondary, tackled OJ Simpson, and sent him out of the game with a sprained ankle. Anderson went on to get a law degree and become a state senator.
I was a big fan of Bill Stanfill and Jake Scott....
...when they played for the Georgia Bulldogs.
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