NFL players, teams and owners across the league responded Sunday to President Trump's criticism of players kneeling in protest during the national anthem, with some kneeling, others locking arms and still others choosing not to participate in the national anthem ceremony at all. As the "Star-Spangled Banner" played at Soldier Field in Chicago for the noon game between the Chicago Bears and the Steelers, the Pittsburgh team's sideline was virtually empty. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told a CBS Sports reporter prior to the game that his team would stay in the locker room during the anthem. "We're not participating in the anthem today," Tomlin said, adding that the action was "not to be disrespectful to the anthem" but to remove the team "from
First off, kneeling during the National Anthem is unpatriotic. This is the greatest country in the world. It gives everyone who comes here an opportunity in life, and the right to pursue a life of happiness. It is crazy to think Americas finest football players will still disrespect our Anthem. This problem has gotten so big that even our president has had strong words concerning the issue. President Trump has taken to twitter multiple times saying how unpatriotic it is. Also, how it should be illegal and players who are choosing to kneel should leave the NFL. With that being said, there are still NFL players who stand in support of the Anthem. Some coaches do not allow players to stand alone, like Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Instead these players they hide in the locker room during the Anthem. In my opinion,
In 2017 controversy struck when the NFL tried “taking a stance” and protesting the National Anthem. In this protest, many NFL players one by one knelt down while the National Anthem played at their sporting event. The National Anthem is a song for our country and symbol to represent all of the men and women who have fought in our military. This song is not played just for our entertainment, it is to honor the flag and what it stands for. The protesting was started by Colin Kaepernick, last season, when he was the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He was the first player to take a knee during the playing of the National Anthem, now many other NFL players this season are following in his path and doing the same thing. Many players and viewers claim it is for police brutality and the injustice that is being served, while other viewers see it as entitled millionaires disrespecting the flag and the military. Everyone has different opinions on the issue, but no matter what the country needs to respect one another as humans and be united; the American Flag is a symbol of our freedom and the NFL needs to recognize the National Anthem rather than kneeling and disrespecting what it stands for.
“Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave. O'er the land and of the free, and the home of the brave.” These words from our beloved national anthem, are words that this country chooses to live by. Ladies and gentlemen will remove their caps, and then all rise for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. Most Americans have become comfortable about this right and pleasure that we have. To be able to show respect for the ones who aren’t here, and can’t even stand to do so. One professional American football player had another agenda for this time. He decided to kneel instead of stand like we have all become accustomed to. In my generation, we take our freedom and rights for granted. We do this, because we never had
Americans have been standing for the National Anthem since 1891. This tradition started in the military, before The Star Spangled Banner became the National Anthem. Players in the NFL weren’t always required to stand on the sideline for the Anthem; it became a regular occurrence for players and teams to stand in 2009. Recently, many teams and players in the NFL have disrespected the flag and the unity within the country that is portrayed in the song. They do this by kneeling, sitting, and not coming out of the locker room during the playing of the National Anthem. All American citizens should always stand for the National Anthem, in respect for the flag and for the men and women who fought for the freedom we have.
July 4, 1776 was the day America became its own country. 231,000 Americans fought for America’s independence in the American Revolution. The National Anthem was written in 1814, after the soldiers kept the flag standing during the bombs being dropped in the War of 1812. Every war or battle in American history has been for America’s freedom. Many people think that wearing hats during the National Anthem is rude and disrespectful to the soldiers who have fought or died for America’s freedom, but what about kneeling? Kneeling during the National Anthem is rude and disrespectful to the soldiers that have fought for America. The NFL players began kneeling last year during the National Anthem as a protest to police brutality against different races. President Trump spoke out against the kneeling and was accused of suppressing the NFL players natural right. President Trump is not suppressing the NFL players rights because no one has been fired and he has just as much a freedom of speech as any other man in the United States.
In some cases not standing for the country’s anthem is viewed as disrespectful and unhelpful in changing people’s views. Other NFL players have spoken out against the kneeling, saying that it won't get results. “Malcolm Jenkins, safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, supported Kaepernick's message but said, “My grandfather served in the military. And this is the country I love. So, me not standing for the National Anthem isn't going to get me the results I want” (ProCon). This divides the NFL and is the wrong way to go about
Since the 1918 World Series the National Anthem has been played at sporting events. The anthem is a symbol for the soldiers who raised the flag after the horrors of cannon bombardment during the war of 1812. Some people seem to think that the anthem has no connection to a sporting event, others find the anthem to be discriminatory. During the anthem we’re asked to stand to remind ourselves of the sacrifice American’s have made for our freedoms. At a recent 49ers football game, Quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem. While Tim Wendel (pro) and Merrill Matthews (con) decided to express their opinions in an article for the Tribune Company. Tim Wendel is for “Protests push all of us to face the dilemma of racial
This is not a solid argument because the National Anthem is played in honor of our nation and the freedom of a diplomatic government; a player feels that his government is not holding up to its purpose then he has the right to not stand and honor it. It seems that the news only reports the problem of the racial discrimination and police brutality with no solution to fix these issues. Consequently, the players are using the same news to air their protest in which sheds light on thousands or millions of viewers about the problems in America for quite some time. Even Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints disagrees with the delivery of the message by stating, “It’s an oxymoron that you’re sitting down, disrespecting the flag that has given you the freedom to speak out” (Refusing 3). However, Drew Brees supports Kaepernick’s statement that he was protesting against the racial injustice. As stated by Colin Kaepernick, “I’m not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color… To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way” (Refusing 2). This is a great point that the flag provides them freedom, but what is the point of having the ability to protest if they do not use it.
The Tennessee Titans and the Seattle Seahawks teams both stayed in their locker rooms while the national anthem played before the start of their game in Nashville, but one player didn't miss the patriotic moment on purpose, according to E News.
I do agree that it wasn't the proper way to pledge your allegiance to the flag, but it does not state it was disrespectful to kneel when presented with the flag. I think that people are blowing the situation out of proportion. I believe that the NFL players have their Individual rights, and that includes the right of speech. I understand where the people are coming though, many people are prideful of their country and do not accept disrespect. But I think most people only seem to hear one side of the argument, and will not listen to the opposing side's opinion also. Let's all try to not just see the surface of the situation, see the bigger picture, and accept others opinions might be different from your but it's not wrong, just
The National Football League players who are kneeling for the national anthem are disrespecting our country and what it stands for. Our flag stands for freedom and liberty. The players should respect that. Before every NFL game, the flag is brought out by an Honor Guard. This is part of a time-honored ceremony intended to present our nation’s colors (the flag) and National Anthem in a respectful manner. By kneeling during the national anthem, they are disrespecting the flag, the national anthem, all our nation stands for, the people currently serving in the armed forces and all of those who gave their lives in our nation’s service. As a result of all the players or coaches kneeling, long time NFL fans are burning jerseys, cancelling season tickets, not showing up for games, not watching games, and canceling the NFL Sunday ticket and well they should.
Trump and the NFL both feel that their views are valid, however, his comments and tweets have only caused more players to take a stand and protest. The players do not see things in the same way as the President. While he considers them to be disrespectful to their country, the players feel that they are exercising their freedoms. When they take a knee, or link arms, they are taking advantage of the freedoms that those in the military have found so hard to give them.
During week 1 of the NFL Kickoff week, San Francisco 49ers faced of against the Los Angeles Rams. Jordan Smith singing the National Anthem, but Colin Kaepernick sat during it in protest instead of standing with the rest of the team. Nobody noticed until after and a picture went viral on Twitter.
Kaepernick and many others who have refused to stand for the anthem have caused divides among their teams, fans, and across the country. When NFL players don’t stand during the national anthem, fans get
Many believe kneeling during our country’s national anthem is considered to be unamerican and unpatriotic. Rather, it shows lack of respect to the country, the flag, and the military. President Donald Trump has frequently fought with the NFL over the national anthem protests, stating if any “son of a bitch” protests during the national anthem they should be “fired” or benched. Not only has our president expressed abrupt and extreme views on the subject, but team owners used their positions to end this controversy while thanking Trump for “remind[ing] [them] about game ops policy.” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, “If there's anything that is disrespectful to the flag, then we will not play.”Jones also states that teams “need consequences” if found kneeling during the anthem (Jones).