(This post may contain disputed claims. We make no assertions as to the validity of the information presented by our Opinion Columnist. We are an opinion blog, not a traditional news outlet, and this post should be treated as such. Enjoy.)After two seasons of controversy and falling ratings, the NFL tried to stamp out an agreement. But before the new season officially starts, the drama is rising to the surface. It looks like all the hard work offseason was for nothing. Now, President Donald Trump is forced to enter the fray.
For over two years, one of the nation’s biggest sports has been dying. American Football, once a beloved pastime, has been mired in toxic politics. This has everything to do with entitled players.
You remember how it started. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick started kneeling during the National Anthem. He claimed he was “protesting” racism in America. The rich, entitled ballplayer had the audacity to insult our flag and nation.
Today, Kaepernick is out of work, embroiled in a lawsuit against the NFL. Perhaps that was his goal all along. But his bad influence has left a stain on the sport that might mean its demise.
Countless players — wealthy, privileged athletes — followed Kaepernick’s lead to insult our flag. It coincided with a serious drop in viewership and game attendance (but I’m sure that was just a coincidence).
News surfaced in the offseason that an arrangement was reached that would end the protests. Or at least, make the league look a little less terrible before fans. Even that flimsy agreement was rejected.
The season hasn’t even started yet and trouble is brewing.
Three Dolphins players either knelt, or raised a fist during the playing of the national anthem on Thursday night.
Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills and newly acquired receiver Albert Wilson knelt during the anthem, while defensive end Robert Quinn raised his fist, Pro Football Talk reported.
In July, the NFL decided to suspend its new anthem policy which required all players on the field to stand for the national anthem. Instead, the league opted to join with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) to come up with a joint policy. However, three weeks into those negotiations, a resolution has still not been produced and player protests have continued.
The league and the NFLPA have just over a month to form a new policy before the start of the regular season. [Source: Breitbart]
It’s pretty ludicrous to think — after all that’s happened — players are still acting out.
These aren’t persecuted victims of injustice, mind you. These are a select few who made it to the NFL. Do you know how well they are treated? Do you know the kind of perks and stardom athletes can enjoy just for playing a game?
They are hardly the people to protest over racism. But even if they wanted to discuss that topic, there are numerous, appropriate times to do so. Not during the National Anthem. Yet they do this, as a way of insulting our flag and disgracing their sport.
Naturally, the President of the United States had to speak out over this injustice.
The NFL players are at it again – taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
…..Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
Football players earn quite a bit to play the sport. They have little reason to “protest” during a game. It’s all a political stunt aimed at tarnishing the president and his supporters.
Liberal news outlets cover the protests like some kind of crusade. They make these players out to be heroes when all they are doing is insulting the flag.
What’s the end result? It’s a continued loss for the sport. More and more fans will grow tired of these spoiled players’ antics. They will simply tune out. Many fans will cut their cable and sports packages. Many more will stop buying tickets or team merchandise.
Is that what the league wants? They are putting a few spoiled players ahead of millions of supporters — and millions of dollars. But it’s clear that the NFL cares more about politics and their players than the very people who support them. If they don’t settle this issue quickly, before the season, they will certainly not recover.
