The President & the NFL

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Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He’s fired. He’s FIRED!’ – President Donald J. Trump, September 22, 2017

In calling those NFL players who peacefully protest during the National Anthem, a “son of a bitch” President Trump united the NFL players, owners, and many others.

First of all, let me get this straight, I stand during the National Anthem and I either place my hand over my heart while facing the flag or during some events, I salute the flag because I am a veteran.

I know several people who died while serving in our military defending our freedoms. That is my way of honoring them and my country.

The big news on Sunday was showing how NFL players and fans reacted during the beginning of each game when the National Anthem was played. Many locked arms and some knelt during the playing of the National Anthem. Some raised their arms and made a fist. It was peaceful.

None of those protesting were showing disrespect to military personnel or to anyone in uniform. That angle used by those who dislike the protests is a non-starter.

Maybe you feel differently, but none of those protests bothered me. I served my country so people could have the freedom of speech and of expression. I am happy we still have that freedom.

I also believe there are more important things happening in this country and around the world that should have our attention: North Korea, hurricane relief, health care, etc., to name a few.

What the President did by calling those players who protest a son of a bitch is motivate the players and the owners and the league. Before Sunday, there were just a few protestors and the act was getting less and less attention. Now, the protests will be with us for the foreseeable future.

That’s not to say that those supporting the protestors did it right. NBA player LeBron James called the President a “bum” in one of his tweets because the President “disinvited” the Golden State Warriors from visiting the White House. The President and James should both learn how to use their words better. Name-calling gets us nothing but more name calling. It pulls us further apart.

It does not make a bit of difference to me if a championship team or players from that team visits the White House or not. I won’t plan my day around the event.

Finally, NBC sportscaster Bob Costas appeared Friday night on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. Costas had the following idea about the National Anthem:

Saying that the National Anthem doesn’t reflect only the nation’s military, police and laws, but its principles as well, Costas suggested that those “Please stand for the National Anthem” stadium recordings be changed to “Please stand for the National Anthem and the ideals it represents.” Both liberals and conservatives, he said, might get behind that. Maybe even stand for it.

God bless America!

 

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8 thoughts on “The President & the NFL”

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  3. Excellent post Jackie, I agree with it all!! It is time to stop listening to the “noise” and pay attention to what is going on. I think he did it to drown out the Kushner revelation. For myself, I’m keeping my eye on that ball. Thanks for your service and thanks for your great writing.

  4. Well said, JmB.
    What people are missing is this.

    Then he went to Alabama and riled up his racist base about a bunch of uppity black NFLers.
    Athletes responded
    America took sides with those opposed making up bogus reasons for the protests.
    Chaos broke out on twitter and the media.

    Then Sunday night a story dropped that Boy Blunder Jared is using a personal e-mail account to conduct gov’t business. We already know that Kobach and his voter suppression tack force, err Voter fraud (that doesn’t really exist) investigation are doing the same thing. (Bbbut Hillary’s!)

    And tRump still hasn’t made a peep about 3 million Americans in Puerto Rico that have no food, water, electricity, or phone service.

    P.S For all of you fauxtriots all wee-weed up about the flag, read this thread then go burn most of your wardrobe, etc.

    Since “disrespecting the flag” is still the narrative being used, this courtesy of the US Flag Code Chapter 10: Respect for flagA Thread— HennyWise (@koopa_kinte) September 23, 2017

    //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

    • Doug – thank you. Good info. It will be interesting to see how this email issue is handled. -JmB

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