NFL Protesting

Over the past few weeks, after President Trump criticized NFL players who were kneeling during the National Anthem to protest police brutality, the ongoing debate became even more heated.  President Trump claimed that it is unpatriotic and disrespectful to the American flag and to the brave men and women who fight for our country. However, the players say that they are exercising free speech by kneeling.

“Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their country. NFL should change policy!” said President Donald Trump. “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners when somebody disrespects our flag to say, ‘Get that (expletive) off the field right now. Out. He’s fired,”  he said. After this remark, many NFL players joined the protest to kneel during the National Anthem.

During a recent visit of Vice President Mike Pence at the Indianapolis Colts game, he walked out after the National Anthem was over. He stated he left due to the fact that 23 players knelt. At his departure, Mike Pence issued the following statement. “I left today’s Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our flag and everything that unites us. While everyone is entitled to  their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the flag and our National Anthem. I stand with President Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our flag and our National Anthem.” President Trump did tweet about this stating , “I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.” Many people agreed with what the Vice President did, however there was some backlash. CNN is now reporting on the cost of Pence’s NFL trip, claiming that it cost the taxpayers a grand total of $242,500. Some believe that it is another one of CNN’s political bashes of the Trump administration and that if Pence stayed there would have been no coverage or very little coverage of the Vice President.

Over the past weeks multiple players have been warned against demonstrating during the National Anthem. According to The Root, they were contacted by eight players and coaches. Each one of them spoke on condition of being anonymous. Out of the the people that contacted The Root, three players and one coach stated that owners and staff members have instructed the players not to kneel or perform any sort of demonstration during the National Anthem.

Mike Rowe mentioned that if fans want NFL players to stop kneeling, they should turn off the telly. Rowe did say that he was disappointed in President Trump’s statement that kneeling NFL players should be fired because according to him, it assumes that team owners are in charge, but really it is the football fan in charge. He did end with a posted video of combat veterans who made sure today’s athletes have the right to kneel for our flag, or honor it.

On October 10th, Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner,  issued a notification to the 32 teams addressing the National Anthem. He believes “that everyone should stand for the National Anthem,” and also that “the controversy over the Anthem is a barrier to having honest conversations and making real progress on the underlying issues.” Following this statement, President Trump tweeted “it is about time that Roger Goodell of the NFL is finally demanding that all players STAND for our great National Anthem.” He also stated that “It would be really nice if the Fake News Media would report the virtually unprecedented Stock Market growth since the election. Need tax cuts.”

Many hope that this all ends soon. Americans want to get back to watching football.

Students at Greater Nanticoke Area weighed in on the controversial issue. Some agreed with the right to demonstrate and some didin’t, but, after all, isn’t that what we value most about a Democracy?

E.J Gill 

What is your opinion on the NFL players protesting against the national anthem?

I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and first amendment rights to peacefully protest. However, I do not believe that during the Anthem is the proper time to do it this. I do not even think that the protesting they are doing is effective. There are other ways of protesting and raising awareness for police brutality. I really think that it has become more of a protest to President Trump than the original intention to protest police brutality. That is very sad. Pres. Trump once tweeted that “The President” should be less concerned over the NFL and more concerned on things that “really matter.” Now our president Donald Trump is not focusing on the hurricane victims and other important events, but to dwell on a NFL protest. 

Do you think that is disrespecting the flag and the men who fight for our country?

Even though I do not believe it is the intent of the NFL players to disrespect the men and women who served our country, it is that very reason that I will not protest during that Anthem because I have family members that fought and died for our country. While I find it to be disrespectful, Veterans and members of our military might argue that they serve to defend their right to do as they please during the Anthem. 

Morgan Burleigh

What is your opinion on the NFL players protesting against the national anthem? 

I know it depends on how big of a fan you are, but in my opinion they should not mix politics into sports the way they did. If they wanted to protest Trump or politics in general they should have done so in a different way. 

Do you think that it is disrespecting the flag and the men who fight for our country?

Yes, because of them we have freedom. Without freedom we would not have diverse teams in sports, or perhaps sports at all. The men who fight for our country deserve all the respect from all the free people in the United States of America. 

Madison Cremer

What is your opinion on the NFL players protesting against the national anthem? 

I find it to be rude and disrespectful. 

Do you think that it is disrespecting the flag and the men who fight for our country? 

Yes, I do find it is disrespecting the flag and the people who fight for it.

Jose Hernendez

What is your opinion on the NFL players protesting against the national anthem?

I do not mind. It is only football, not the army. I believe that we should just ignore all of this and enjoy the great sport called football. 

Do you think that it is disrespecting the flag and the men who fight for our country?

Yes and no. Yes because people die and they are dying for the flag and the freedom of the country and no because it is football. It is just a sport. There is no reason to take everything to the extreme. 

Matt Stegura

What is your opinion on the NFL players protesting against the national anthem? 

They (players) are millionaires who dislike President Trump. They are doing it out of spite now. Probably more than half of the kneelers have no idea why they are protesting. Most of them have never even donated anything to help others because they only care about themselves.

Do you think that it is disrespecting the flag and the men who fight for our country?

Kneeling for the flag disrespects the soldiers fighting for America. Not only the men, women, friends, fathers, and so on. Plus, those who fought in the past for freedom, and patriots of a revolution to fight tyranny for freedom to live happy and safe.

Tyler Smith

What is your opinion on the NFL players protesting against the national anthem?

I think they are protesting for a good cause and they are really drawing major attention to the topic by kneeling in front of the biggest televised sport.

Do you think that it is disrespecting the flag and the men who fight for our country? 

No, I do not think it is disrespecting the flag and men and woman who fight for our country because those men and women died for your right to stand, kneel, or sit during the Anthem or any time at all. They aren’t spitting or burning the flag or disrespecting it in any way like that at all. 

Mark Walters

What is your opinion on the NFL players protesting against the national anthem? 

I support the NFL protest that is going on. I think everyone has a right to voice their opinion and using their power to is okay. They are doing it in a peaceful way. 

Do you think that it is disrespecting the flag and the men who fight for our country? 

No, because the players are protesting police brutality and are not disrespecting the people who fought for our country. 

David McDonald 

What is your opinion on the NFL players protesting against the national anthem?

I believe it is childish and they should simply grow up. It is a waste of time and it is insulting the brave soldiers who fight for our country. They are fighting for the Flag, the country, your freedoms and they want to go and act like childish babies. It is disgusting. 

Do you think that it is disrespecting the flag and the men who fight for our country?

I believe it is very disrespectful towards the men and women who died for this great country. It needs to stop. We need to do something about these so-called protesters. 

Avery Valaitis 

What is your opinion on the NFL players protesting against the national anthem?

My opinion is that, at least they come out of the locker room and gave a knee to show respect rather than saying something disrespectful or burning down buildings. 

Do you think that it is disrespecting the flag and the men who fight for our country? 

No, I do not think that it is disrespecting the flag or the men that fight for our country. It is only a football game and Americans need to grow up. There are other more important things to do. We could be talking about the obesity epidemic or talk about California now saying that HIV patients who expose others to the disease will no longer face felony charges. 

David Mash

What is your opinion on the NFL players protesting against the national anthem? 

The ability to protest is an integral part of our society. Some protests will offend some groups, inevitably, but as long as the protesters are peaceful, it is not destructible. 

Do you think that it is disrespecting the flag and the men who fight for our country? 

No, I do not think so. I personally believe protesting is one of the most patriotic things you can do.