Standing for Anthem a Point of Contention
October 18, 2017
Our own Tom Craig weighs in on the matter.
There is an outstanding amount of players in the National Football League (NFL) who are protesting in a way that is extremely disrespectful to our country and the brave men and women who defend it. Football players around the country have been kneeling, locking arms, or even not leaving the locker room to America’s National Anthem. The reasoning behind this protest started when NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee solo during the National Anthem back in late August of the 2106 football season for the first time to raise awareness for police brutality towards Black American Citizens, but now the kneeling during the anthem trend has spread and is totally disrespectful to the people who defend this beautiful country. Many stand behind the topic of protesting but believe it is being done the wrong way, and even worse the NFL isn’t even taking action against the severe disrespect, they are just letting it happen and care more about watching the sport than honoring those who make it possible to be able to play a game for a living. These players and coaches are paid ridiculous amounts of money to entertain people like you and I by playing their game, and they are kneeling on the job, still getting paid more than any average American that works a full time nine to five job. If these men really want to protest they should be doing it on their own time, not while they are “at work.” Here are some thoughts a few TMHS students:
“ I think that the NFL Commissioner and the players need to come to an agreement about standing for the National Anthem or kneeling and the consequences ”
“ I believe the players should be majorly fined or suspended ”
”NFL football players need to realize their impact on younger generations and how their actions affect those who come after them as well as they need to respect those who fight to make it possible for them to get paid millions to play a silly american game strictly for entertainment and no real purpose.”
All of these quotes make great points; however, the students requested to stay anonymous. It is true that they are disrespecting our flag big time, and many others agree to the fact that any of the players who knelt or didn’t even show their faces to the playing of the National Anthem should be fined or even fired. If it wasn’t for that Star Spangled Banner and the people who give their lives fighting for it football players fighting police brutality could be overseas in combat or even as a prisoner waiting to be executed in a foreign country. They have every right to protest because one of the beautiful things about this country is it’s freedom of speech, but they should be doing it in a more appropriate manner by not disrespecting the country that made their lives how easy it is today, NFL players and coaches need to protest on their own time, not at “work.” At the end of the day NFL players and coaches get to go home back to their family in a peaceful million dollar home, while some soldiers don’t get home alive and their family must grieve to that Flag lying on their casket, which you just knelt to. Think of that next time you’re on your knees to our countries song.