Posted on 09/29/2017 10:18:38 AM PDT by abb
Saints' Kenny Vaccaro explains choice to sit during anthem, says half his foundation's members left
BY NICK UNDERHILL | nunderhill@theadvocate.com Sep 29, 2017 - 10:42 am (3)
SUNBURY-ON-THAMES, England — The Saints plan to take a knee before the national anthem of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, and then stand during the playing of the song, in what they want to be a show of unity.
New Orleans had 10 players remain seated on the bench during the playing of the anthem last week against the Carolina Panthers, which came after President Donald Trump said any player who kneeled during the anthem to protest racial inequality was a “son of a bitch.” Trump also called on owners to fire any player who did not stand during the anthem.
Coach Sean Payton said Saints ownership was not involved in the team’s decision on how to approach the anthem this week against Miami.
“Look, those guys met, and like with anything, with the team, it’s something that I think they and all of us felt we want to be unified and I think that’s good,” Payton said. “We’ve got good leadership, and I think it’s a good thing.”
The widespread protests around the league last week have induced many reactions, with many fans posting videos of themselves burning team gear and tickets. Some of the many complaints players have heard is that they’re “spoiled millionaires” and suggestions that they should find other ways to protest that won’t offend anyone.
But the players want people to know that they’re taking a risk by kneeling. The Advocate was told there are players on the Saints who wanted to sit during the anthem but were afraid to do so because of what has happened to Colin Kaepernick. He was the first NFL player to kneel during the anthem last season and hasn’t been able to get on a team after his contract expired this offseason.
“You understand what happened with Kaepernick?” safety Kenny Vaccaro told The Advocate on Friday. “There are guys out there that he’s clearly better than. Not even a third-stringer? He’s not playing. We’re risking everything. I’m going to be a free agent next year. If I continue kneeling or whatever, and I start getting out in the community more and doing all of that, how will it affect my family? At that moment, it was bigger than football. It’s about progress, change.”
Vaccaro has quickly found out that sitting during the anthem last week is much bigger than football. The Slidell Mardi Gras krewe rescinded an invitation to him and Saints defensive end Alex Okafor to serve as grand marshals for the parade.
The New Orleans safety also had plans to grow his Kenny Vaccaro Foundation, which focuses on providing economically challenged students with literacy and education resources, this year, but he had to put the agenda on hold after half the members dropped him for sitting during the anthem. As of right now, Vaccaro said it looks like his foundation won’t be able to accomplish its goals.
“Is it that serious? I get it; I love America. I’m grateful for what we have; I’m grateful for our freedom,” Vaccaro said. “I know it’s not like that across the world. You have to understand the real reason why people were taking a knee. A lot of people were doing it because of the president’s comments, but I was going to do it regardless.”
Vaccaro takes offense to the idea that the players protesting are “spoiled millionaires” and that they should find other ways to protest. He says that the players in the league are not just speaking for themselves, they’re speaking out for those who do not have the same platform to bring attention to the issues people are facing.
He also believes that people are using the flag and anthem to try to bury the issues. Several teams, such as the Green Bay Packers, received scorn for locking arms during the anthem in a show of unity. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he could hear “negativity being yelled” during the anthem. After the game, Rodgers asked, “What’s disrespectful to the anthem, yelling things during it or standing at attention with arms locked facing the flag? Let you decide.”
“I’m half black and half white. It has nothing to do with race to me,” Vaccaro said. “My dad passed away when I was little. We come from nothing. I want to represent both sides.
“Sometimes I think people confuse what patriotism is. I think it’s a misconception. I think they’re just using this flag and military thing to cover up the real problem that’s at hand. It makes people uncomfortable. I don’t think everybody believes that we’re trying to disrespect (the anthem). The whole league?”
Still, Vaccaro is sympathetic to the flag. He and nearly everyone else who has sat or kneeled has stated they are not doing so to disrespect the flag. Vaccaro talked to members of the military before he sat last week.
He says he supports the troops and understands America has it better than most other countries. Vaccaro knows the right to kneel during the anthem is one of those freedoms many other countries do not enjoy.
But he also wonders what better platform exists. If the goal is to raise awareness and bring about change, the most effective place to do that is at a football game.
“People were complaining about the platform we’re using,” Vaccaro said. “That’s the only platform that’s going to get attention. If I start doing it in the street, no one is going to pay attention to me. But if you do it to the anthem, and you’re not disrespecting the anthem, people are going to watch. People are tuning in now to see what we’re going to do and not watch the game. Don’t get the two confused.”
(Major facepalm)
When are these useful idiots going to get it they are being used by the left and the enemedia to advance a lie????
The political statement he believes so much in risking his career, is based on nothing but lies. The massive backlash from social medias, proves Americans of all colors are coming to the defense of the flag and national anthem and don’t believe in these lies.
It’s so sad to see how bad these players have been duped but that’s our sick culture brought to you by the entertainment industry, our educations system, the enemedia, the sports enemedia, etc.
CGato
Dixie Chicks Effect. Any citizen has the First Amendment right to say what they want and not be dragged off in the middle of the night by jack-booted thugs from the government. It does not, however, protect the citizen from the consequences of that speech.
Vaccaro is far from the sharpest knife in the drawer. Not-too-bright....either!!! Actually, he is quite dumb!!!
Horseshite.
“People were complaining about the platform we’re using,” Vaccaro said. “That’s the only platform that’s going to get attention.....”
Hm - how about billboards (especially near the stadium), TV and internet ads to run during the game, a PSA that could be broadcast on TV and the in-stadium AV system, radio ads...
Oh, wait, he’d have to pay for those and he thought doing this would be ‘free.’
Wasn't he like 1-10 as a starter last season...3-5 the season before? Do you think the fact that he completely sucks as a QB might have some additional bearing on his current employment status...aside from his being a complete scumbag of course...
If I continue kneeling or whatever and I start getting out in the community more
You need to understand at work you work at your leisure you do as you wish.
Well Anthony, for every action there is a reaction. Welcome to the real world. No sympathy here, you helped make this bed, lie you lie in it.
You actually believe that nonsense?
He was mediocre at best, yet demanded a Bradyesque salary. Throw in the baggage, and it is no surprise he is not playing.
Reggie Whites athletic accomplishments were great. He never encouraged the "Victim" mentality on or off the field but rather encouraged those whom looked up to him to live lives right before GOD and give their best efforts in their own lives and circumstance. Reggie White by the time he played college ball was an ordained Minister of The Gospel. He understood where the problems lie and he addressed them. The knees he took were in his church to His Lord. The proper place and proper time. I do wonder how many pro-players taking knees had ridiculed Tebow for kneeling to GOD?
Remember, its a free society, there are plenty of people who want to play ball, many better than the brats currently on the field!
That narrative has been changing every day since this Shiite started. They’ve boxed in themselves AND their owners. They keep digging and digging and have no clue how to escape this issue that THEY started.
And, the more they dig, the worse it gets (for them). Too bad, so sad. Couldn’t happen to a nicer group of marxists.
Die National Felon League, die.
It's the same as peeing on the flag and saying you're not disrespecting it.
In order for Freedom of Speech to work, a person has to be smart enough to know the difference between what they CAN say and what they SHOULD say.
*Kenny. Sorry I don’t even know your name well enough to remember it for a few seconds.
You ignorant F&CK...you are entertainment...and entertainment only. You are paid to entertain those who want to watch you do what you do. No one cares about your causes except your frickin' agent and your wife, if you have one.
Dance the way the fans expect you to dance or take a frickin' hike and sell insurance like all the others who could not or would not dance for "American: football fans.
< /rant >
This guy has his head so far up his ass he needs a window installed in his upper abdomen to see out.
Just stand at respectful attention to the Flag during the Anthem. Hand over heart, back straight, chin up looking at the flag.
I’m never coming back to the NFL over your actions against our Vets and country but you might be able to hang on to some fans and bring some back if you just show respect.
When it comes to the flag and our country, you can’t please two masters. Pick your side.
Both sides, my ass. There are no sides to patriotism or unpatriotism. These ahole can’t lead obviously. He’s a yes man.
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