If I were Mara and/or Shurmur. On the morning of a game I would put the names of the 46 players to be active that day into a hat and have one of the team captains pick from it. Whatever name is picked, that player gets to decide whether or not the team will remain in the locker room for the anthem or will stand at attention for it on the sideline.
This accomplishes three things:
1) First and foremost being that whatever it is they do, they do as a team.
2) The decision is made by a player (not someone from ownership or management).
3) The choice of player is random (and all inclusive of those who would be standing or sitting that day), so fairness in representation is assured. And given that it is a 16 game season, the sample set should be large enough that all demographic/socio-economic viewpoints are given a say).
I don't think the players would want to get rid of the anthem or stay in the locker room. They want the opportunity to protest.
Also, if a player has to pick, that could go pretty poorly and divide the locker room.
A small contingent of team administration comprised would represent the team during tje anthem and that would be the consistent policy week in and out.
Essentially putting everyone out of the line of fire on this but myself as owner, and the only one setting policy
A small contingent of team administration comprised would represent the team during tje anthem and that would be the consistent policy week in and out.
Essentially putting everyone out of the line of fire on this but myself as owner, and the only one setting policy
probably the best option, but the players would probably still be upset. There isn't going to be an option to make everyone happy.
If I played in the NFL last season, I would have likely stood for the anthem. If I played this season, I would probably kneel - in protest of the abhorrent idea that I must be made to stand, which is far more unamerican.
Horrible idea, IMO. The owner/s need to grow a pair and let it happen or remove it completely with fines/suspensions.
AMEN
The point is that people do disagree and are tuning out, costing the owners/NFL money. It’s a business decision.
There are other ways to protest that does not offend the veterans and flag (and reduce NFL revenues). Just pick one, its not that difficult.
Correct. They guaranteed the media coverage of the protests will last another season, pissing off all the same people, all over again. They won't care what the NFL's stated policy. All they'll care about is that some players are still refusing to toe the mark. And the revenues will continue to fall.
Seems to me they got what they want and are purposely being stubborn while continuing to divide the country and risk the success of the company they work for.
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From just an intellectual, philosophical perspective on the basics of our country, constitution, and history, I find it perplexing it's offensive to some that others feel differently than them and express themselves.
The point is that people do disagree and are tuning out, costing the owners/NFL money. It’s a business decision.
I didn't believe it, but the financials do show it's impacting their business.
I am not surprised in the least business people are trying to make profit-focused decisions. I'm surprised Americans support a business forcing their employees to either stand for a song or not come out. That from a philosophical perspective isnt consistent with the precepts of our democracy.
I will say that sports in general are wrapping themselves far to up in the flag. Cut all this pregame bullshit out and just have a simple rendition of the Anthem.
Seems to me they got what they want and are purposely being stubborn while continuing to divide the country and risk the success of the company they work for.
They were never protesting the NFL to begin with. The NFL's nominal support for specific issues is cheering, but the kneeling was never about earlier inaction.
Good points. This is the part of the equation the NFL is wisely trying to avoid. What happens if they rule with an iron fist that players must stand? Boycotts of league advertisers would start immediately, and said advertisers would start bailing on the league due to the pressure. That might be worse for business than the minor drop in ratings that have occurred to this point. The NFL knows not to mess with that hornets nest.
That's the part the "It's a private business, they can do what they want!" crowd doesn't seem to factor in. Sure, they can do what they want, and league sponsors will be the ones to feel the wrath. There will be a shitstorm of public pressure that will dwarf what's going on right now.
That's the part the "It's a private business, they can do what they want!" crowd doesn't seem to factor in. Sure, they can do what they want, and league sponsors will be the ones to feel the wrath. There will be a shitstorm of public pressure that will dwarf what's going on right now.
no.
That's the part the "It's a private business, they can do what they want!" crowd doesn't seem to factor in. Sure, they can do what they want, and league sponsors will be the ones to feel the wrath. There will be a shitstorm of public pressure that will dwarf what's going on right now.
Doesn’t the military pay the NFL to have the flag ceremonies and playing of the anthem, therefore making them a sponsor???
The NFL has 2 problems. First, they could have acted appropriately last year and they instead choose to let it snowball. Second, the players hate Roger Goodell.
They blew the first one already, and fixing #2 will cost them millions. They are pretty fucked right now in regards to the anthem.
Seems to me they got what they want and are purposely being stubborn while continuing to divide the country and risk the success of the company they work for.
Have they ponied up any of that money though? They said the same with the concussion suit but it's unconscionable how that money is or rather isn't being dispersed.
Aside from just being idiots, there's a reason the NFL took a half-assed approach to this - they know they're screwed either way. I think they'd be more screwed if they demanded everyone stand at attention, but I don't claim to have all the answers.
Players should be like everyone else and follow company policy while at work and use their stature fame and resources to promote their cause on their own time.
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but it pales in comparison to the outcry if the NFL actually forced players to stand. Right now those who dislike the kneeling are the most vocal - the folks who support the players, or don't care that much, aren't gonna get that riled up about it. If the NFL makes it their official policy that players must stand, that pendulum swings quickly in the other direction.
That's the part the "It's a private business, they can do what they want!" crowd doesn't seem to factor in. Sure, they can do what they want, and league sponsors will be the ones to feel the wrath. There will be a shitstorm of public pressure that will dwarf what's going on right now.
Doesn’t the military pay the NFL to have the flag ceremonies and playing of the anthem, therefore making them a sponsor???
Yes, so we shouldn't expect them to pull their financial backing. But others might.
Does your employer allow you to do that at your place of work? On company time?
What if players stood, but turned their backs to the field? What if players stood but gave a raised fist black power salute like Smith and Carlos on the victory platform in the 1968 Olympics? How does the new rules deal with these situations (other than Trump calling on them to be deported).
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...that the players want to stage peaceful, non-disruptive protests. Assholes.
Does your employer allow you to do that at your place of work? On company time?
So you are angry that the players are getting away with something that you can't? And that's why you want it to stop?
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...that the players want to stage peaceful, non-disruptive protests. Assholes.
Does your employer allow you to do that at your place of work? On company time?
Mine doesn't, but my employer also doesn't insist that I stand at attention for the national anthem and a flag ceremony at the opening of the day's business - which I think is a distinction worth noting.
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In comment 13975519 sb from NYT Forum said:
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...that the players want to stage peaceful, non-disruptive protests. Assholes.
Does your employer allow you to do that at your place of work? On company time?
So you are angry that the players are getting away with something that you can't? And that's why you want it to stop?
Im not angry about anything. I don’t blame the players for kneeling.
I just have a hard time arguing that the owners have done something outside of their rights as the owners of the business.
My personal opinion is that people who get angry/offended about the players kneeling have too much time on their hands and need to find a more worthy use of their energy.
or people want to counter protest with their wallets and viewership.
It's a two way street.
I would like the NFL to let the players kneel and the people who want to boycott the product do so. The NFL loses though in this regard financially.
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...that the players want to stage peaceful, non-disruptive protests. Assholes.
or people want to counter protest with their wallets and viewership.
It's a two way street.
I would like the NFL to let the players kneel and the people who want to boycott the product do so. The NFL loses though in this regard financially.
They made a poor business decision (wrapping their league in God & Country) in the first place. When that had (unintended and unforeseen) consequences, they responded by making further bad decisions. They should lose financially.
I would say yes.
By continuing to knee will it bring more awareness?
I would say no.
Will it bring about change? Remains to be seen.
I'm all for the protests, but not to the Flag. The same Flag that represents those players right to knee in the first place. It just seems wrong.
Peace out
I am not surprised in the least business people are trying to make profit-focused decisions. I'm surprised Americans support a business forcing their employees to either stand for a song or not come out. That from a philosophical perspective isnt consistent with the precepts of our democracy.
Ah, that's not surprising at all. It's obvious by now that many Americans take great pleasure in watching other Americans get finger in the eye.
Sure they will care. Those players will be posting themselves kneeling in the locker room in no time. Then there will be a big deal made of who didn’t show up on the sidelines.
Staying in the locker room will make it worse, IMO.
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Is if they as individuals want to protest they can remain in the locker room in no time no one will care. That’s the decision the owners have made if you really so concerned about social injustice then as players they can do many things just not in the name of the team or the NFL while at work. Go kneel in front of the court house for as long as you want but not in your work clothes.
Sure they will care. Those players will be posting themselves kneeling in the locker room in no time. Then there will be a big deal made of who didn’t show up on the sidelines.
Staying in the locker room will make it worse, IMO.
Correct. Every time the league does something to invite additional conflict, that conflict is going to get covered by the sports media. Which will only further anger the people who were angry about the protests already.
The only other plan (than mine) that makes sense to me is for the players to simply remain in the locker room for the anthem. At least in that scenario nobody needs to feel compelled to either respect or disrespect the national anthem.