NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group, and some believe Roger Goodell could take part

The NFL is out of the business of discouraging any player from taking a knee


We do not know, for certain, when football will return. No one knows if Week 1 of the NFL season will take place as presently scheduled. Will stadiums be empty? Will COVID-19 return for a second wave? Will the season conclude as normal, with a Super Bowl in February?

What we do know is that at some point NFL players will stand on a sideline before the start of a weekend of games. Nearly 100 of them will be on the field prior to kickoff. Games will be played again, somehow, sometime, someway. Eventually.

And when that occurs, players will kneel. Based on what I am hearing from the player and agent community, I believe they will kneel en masse in a large-scale display of solidarity with those who continue to protest in the streets against police brutality and the systematic killing of people for the color of their skin. So many NFL players and, now, even coaches and front office types are actively engaged in the movement sweeping the country and the world, walking and shouting for change, that there is a strong sense there is no going back now.

Following Roger Goodell's statement late last week, when he read back what the faces of the league asked him to, in what many have perceived as a mea culpa for the NFL's earlier statement in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing by police in Minnesota, there does not seem to be much gray area or room to equivocate about the NFL's official stance on police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. Nor on Colin Kaepernick's personal, silent, peaceful statement which started this all (even though Goodell has yet to mention Kaepernick's name in connection to it as protests sprung up around the world these last weeks).

Indeed, Goodell's message, admitting the league was "wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier" and then encouraging "all to speak out and peacefully protest," doesn't appear to leave much wiggle room as to what will be condoned. Shortly after Goodell posted his 81-second video, I heard back from some officials on Park Avenue who said that, yes, in fact, the NFL is out of the business of sanctioning or discouraging any player from taking a knee, just as players like Eric Reid and Kenny Stills did a season ago without penalty (the fact that Reid remains unsigned is worth noting, of course, along with Kaepernick's three-year banishment from the league).

When Goodell says, "I personally protest with you and want to be a part of the much-needed change in this country," I know some current and former players believe that to be a message of intent that Goodell would, in fact, be willing to take a knee in Week 1, or whenever the commissioner is able to travel to games as he normally would and whenever there are anthems being played again. Sources who were involved in various online calls between Goodell and league employees tell me that the commissioner capitulated on virtually everything he was asked to do by them, and understood what needed to be done at this critical juncture. "The only thing he fell short on was signing Kap," said one person involved in a large-scale call.

As we all know, these are the most uncertain of times. But what I believe we all could agree on is the fact that long-embedded scourge of systematic racial oppression and economic injustice and an inequitable criminal justice system is not going to be solved between now and whenever the NFL kicks off. The need for change and the fervor for change is not going to quell in the coming weeks; the voices of these athletes are not going to quell in the coming weeks, either.

If anything, Kaepernick's movement is picking up steam, and these problems will not be solved by September. I don't know where this country is going, and whatever the ongoing impact of COVID-19 will be, but I do know the NFL is going to do whatever it can to play as many games as it can. And I have a hard time seeing the 2020 season not open with the social issues that are so much at the fore right now still a huge part of the national conversation.

And as we know, that conversation will include the NFL and its players -- with it being an NFL player, after all, who began it all -- and with players more willing to wield their power and leverage now than perhaps ever before, with Goodell's quick response to their pleas a telling example. I think it would be naïve to think that will change anytime soon, and I can't imagine a start to an NFL season this summer that did not include some league-wide initiatives that attempt to address the pain and anger in our streets right now.

George Floyd's death will be a part of that conversation, as will the ongoing tensions between police and constitutionally protected protesters across the land. Players will be doing what Kaepernick first did.

So it's fair to assume some players – perhaps many – who ignored or rebuked this movement before will no longer be able to do so. It's fair to contemplate an opening slate of games in which players – and maybe owners – are no longer locked in arms, but rather on their knees. Perhaps with Goodell among them.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Willing to bet riots break out at the games. Criminals have figured it out. Not enough law enforcement to handle large mobs and they can't be touched otherwise that's brutality. All it takes is couple hundred people to storm the gates. Can't use tear gas, pepper spray, can't even push them.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

It’ll be the last game I watch. Makes me sad

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

It's not fun anymore.

Isn't football supposed to be entertainment?

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

They are going to kneel down. That is a given.
It is not about the flag, but it is about the flag. Which is it? I have read both explanations.
It is the right to protest it has been said. Can the NFL just bring the teams out after the anthem?
No because players want the right to protest.
I don't care if they sit, squat, stand , kneel, or turn their backs. Everybody in the seats and on the field, do what YOU want.
If some want to stand, can they stand without being criticized?:confused: On the news.
That is what I want to know.
As a spectator, well, I am not going, just saying...I wish x( somebody would tell that I need to sit down during National Anthem.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Kap said it wasn't about the flag after the backlash then it suddenly was the flag once Nike tried the Betsy Ross flag tennis shoe.

He and they flat-out lied about it not being the flag - blinked due to the overwhelming backlash.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

It's about the flag. It always was about the flag. There is real slavery in the world, black people being sold. There is real persecution of gays in the world. Iran stones them to death. They also cut off fingers for looting. We can't talk about that though. Only hatred for the US. Whole movement is a joke.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

It IS entertainment. That's what some fail to understand. Who cares what any player does or says. It's not going to affect my enjoyment of the entertainment factor one iota. I don't care if people stay away in droves. It just makes the tickets cheaper for me.

:bng:

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

LOL! Yeah, right.

:rolleyes:

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

It happened in Baltimore not that long ago. They cancelled baseball games because of it due to the threat. They weren't saying yeah right.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Those two games were postponed due to rioting in the streets. The rioting was not directed toward the stadium itself nor anything to do with the teams. That is a far cry from saying the Superdome gates would be stormed by hundreds of angry protesters.

Chances are that this will not even be a volatile issue come the beginning of the NFL season. There is so much knee-jerk reaction around here. Three days ago there were people on this site claiming that Drew Brees' career was finished and the Saints are in turmoil. Well, they have come together and worked through their difference like adults. A few months back there were people claiming that the Saints would have to fold and the league would demand that the franchise be sold because of the over-hyped Associated Press article about the New Orleans Diocese. In fact, I'm thinking it was some of the same doomsayers.

LOL!

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Have you seen the security at NFL stadiums. Most of it is contractors making next to nothing. They will be the first to bail.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

There will be nothing to bail from. That's the point. Do you seriously think that there's still going to be rioting going on three months from now?

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

I didn't think there would be rioting three months ago. A riot during the national anthem would put a smile on a lot of players faces.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

And who do you suppose would be the ones doing this rioting? Perhaps those that are bent out of shape that the NFL has approved kneeling during the anthem? I suppose that is a possibility.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Exactly the point I made about 9/11. Football was an escape from tragedy and a feeling of brotherhood with Americans all over.

Now it's a virtue signaling clown show.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Probably you. I do hope I am wrong but you are a very ornery and disagreeable person. The NFL has not approved kneeling yet. If they go that route it will hurt revenue just like last time. They absolutely know this fact. They will have to tread lightly on this situation. Kneel in the locker room. Not allowed on the field is the best coarse of action.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

BREAD AND CIRCUSES! YOUR BREAD, THE NFL'S CIRCUS

THE CLOWNS Attachment 13458

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Did you not read the article in the opening post?

Ornery? LOL! Far from it.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

You want an autographed picture, dude. You seem to be obsessed.

:D

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

I'm glad to see them kneeling in solidarity. Thats good, it will really help. In some of our inner cities these past weekends BLM have been doing a different type of protest, but nonetheless committed with the same reverance for the value of black lives.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Could you imagine having to work with him? You're on a team working on a project and .ajority of the time is spent discussing how right he is and almost clairvoyant qith his perception.

Guaranteed he battles with his son over how great he is, not how great his son is, but himself. If his son has a success undoubtedly his success has been far greater. His almost God like ability to perceive.

Blah blah blah, pull his own pud, pull his own pud. Not one person ride him as hard as he rides himself and he's the best at that too, just ask

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

I was always working lead when with a team. Everyone came to me because I WAS always right. Although, retired now. And, yes. I am pretty brilliant. And I can even type simple words like "majority" and "with" accurately.

:D

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Exactly, they loved you

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

https://sports.yahoo.com/j-j-watt-ma...183531597.html


JJ Watt position is clear whatever it is. He said if you think kneeling , standing has ...

OK. Great pr talk .
My take on it is, as with anything that is just exhausting, do what you like. Stand, kneel, turn your back, burn a flag on a the sidelines if a player wants to, sit, squat, jump, walk, drink some Gatorade, whatev'a.
No one should be called out for doing what he/she wants.
Then let the game start.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

I love you, OldMaid. That's my take, too. I'm in it for the game. I don't care at all what happens before. Oh, by the way, my wife may, or may not, have questions about the statement of love. How about LIKE a whole, whole bunch?

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

When you got it you got it. When you don't ... well, you know.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Too funny.:bng:

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

We all know, trust me

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Trust you? Um, no. Not for a minute.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

So you're also okay with racial slurs being lobbed at work as long as someone wants to and then they can start serving customers, building cars, etc after?

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

What?

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

It's about the flag. It always was about the flag. If it's not about the flag then maybe don't make it about the flag? How about get your own flag on your own free time and make it about your own stuff. Nope. That's way too hard.

To actually start a meaningful cause with meaningful change without trashing other people who would actually support you in the right context. I would totally support that effort. Not this garbage lazy approach.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Everything seems to be politicized now. Because of this so many only see what they want to du to being Blinded by ideology. It's becoming ridiculous that some want to put their own definitions on someone else's actions.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

You said they can do what they want and then play the game after. So you're okay with other professionals doing as they feel and getting to work after, si? Like kneel for the flag, scream kill cops, use raciaks slurs. Doesn't matter as long as they want to do it and will get to work after, right? Or no?

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

everyone knows what it is really about, what it really means. Instead people lie and try to convince not to believe your lying eyes. This is a civil war but it is not being fought in the streets with weapons because they would lose.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

You are talking about different subjects that are not related to my post. You are talking about different professions .
Ex. School teachers, nurses, accountants, social workers, etc.
You asked if I am ok with people in other professions doing illegal things or racist things or I will throw in, even things that are questionable in their private ( family, marital) and other jobs being ok as long as it is off their work hours.

I think I am clear in what you are asking me.

The football players are going to kneel this year. That is a given . In their protest, they want to be out on the field to kneel during the National Anthem.
They don't want to stay in the locker room and come out later.
The Goodell /NFL is going to give in to them kneeling. Why? Because you cannot stop them doing so.When this first started, Goodell/ NFL tried to understand why, have them stay in the locker room, ....Goodell/ NFL lost that battle. Then they all stood , locked arms with NFL owners after Trump called them “Son ofva B.*(hes”. That was nasty , ugly by him. I will answer you there before you ask. He is POTUSA. That is why.

My opinion of kneeling, ahhhh, it is sooooo exhausting. Let them kneel, stand, squat, turn their backs, drive some Gatorade whatever, and some people in the stadium will do what they want too. You cannot make the players , staff on the sidelines, people in the stadium do what you want be it “ Ladies and Gentlemen, Please stand and remove your hats for our National Anthem...” something like that.
I forgot how the announcement goes.

My question is, if some players ( Black, Pacific Islander, White, Biracial B-W, Hispanic, whatever) want to stand, can do they that? Will they do that?
Do they have that right to do so?
Thing with rights these days from PETA, NFL players, anti- fur, LBGT, Republican , Democrats, etc. everybody wants to do what they want, but they don’t want the next to have his/ her right. Eat a hamburger or hunting ( duck, deer).Buy a fur coat . Etc.

Your other question to me or assumption.
Pro athletes and entertainers jobs are not like us regular folks.
It is how it is.
Regular careers like I listed, you need professional and personal references, certifications, fingerprinting, urine test, interviews, your contract, and so on. Regular jobs and professions, off duty things such as work other places or personal life things like marital and family , social media stuff and on, can effect your on hours career or job.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

Got ya, youre a hypocrite. Thanks for demonstrating that, and that was my goal

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

No. I am not a hypocrite. I did not demonstrate that. You did not corner me to prove your goal.
I am a realist.
I like facts.
Entertainers and pro athletes do things in their jobs and careers that others cannot do.
No one gives applause, praises me, follows me, follows my orders, demands, commands, and more when I show up to work.
This happens to entertainers.
Pro athletes, lets stick to football since we are discussing football, don't have to get fingerprinted, apply, send three references each of professional and personal, get state certified, random urine samples , be careful what they post on social media ( sexist, sexual, racist, anti religious, graphic jokes, just even a picture on vacay in a swimsuit, etc), and yes even personal life in multiple marriages and kids, ehhhhhh....emmmmmmm, not not go over in getting hired or keeping your contract,

None if this applies to entertainers and athletes.
I am not saying I like or agree with their lifestyles, choices , but their line of work is different.
Boowhoo, life is not fair.
As for them kneeling, oh this again. It is so exhausting.
The NFL cannot or a law cannot be made to make them stand up.
Even in colleges and high schools and elementary schools, you cannot make them stand or make them kneel or sit. You pick your battles. This, as the NFL figured out, is an exhausting battle they cannot win.
Do what you want.
Sit, kneel, squat, walk n talk, turn your back....look for all of this to happen.
My only question is if a baller , coach’s staff, other sideline people, want to stand , do they have they right without being called uncooperative, racist, stupid, non- team member, and so on.
I had this discussion with some people as to what they would do if someone , a fellow spectator, in the stadium told them to sit down. I was told they would politely ask , say, “ Did you pay for my ticket.?”
Look for fights in the stadium to happen with some people suggesting to others that they should sit down.

Re: NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group
 

So do surgeons, lawyers, pilots, navy seals, what BS are you selling. Youre completely and utterly ridiculous and idiotic at this point.

A job is a job, some pay more because they require special skillset coupled with high degree of work ethic. At the end of the day its a job.

The degree with which you're posturing is ridiculous. This set of individuals can use their job to do what they want, but you cannot. 😅🤣😂😆 surrreeee

You'd do better just to say hey I don't disagree with kneeling for the flag at sports contests or I can't bring myself to leave football so ill tolerate it. At least one of those would have some F'Ng honesty in it