Christopher Johnson: Let the players kneel.
- Thread starter BlindsideD'Brick
- Start date
I'll try to make sure that this is the last time I comment on this kneeling for the anthem topic because I will probably piss some people off. I hope not as I consider you guys all friends. I watch football for two reasons, one, I'm a fan. Two, It allows me for a short time to get away from all the strife that is going on in this country, and the world, and actually enjoy myself for awhile. If I wanted to watch something political I'd switch the damn channel. If these players want to get my attention for their cause let them take a few bucks from the millions they earn for playing a game that supposedly they love and buy some air time on TV and state their case to get my support. If they want to get my ire and kill any chance they ever had to get my support then go ahead and disrespect the flag, and Country that I gave up eleven plus years of my life to defend. And before someone else points it out I understand that I also defended their right to express their concerns but for crying out loud, do it in the right forum and don't invade other peoples right to enjoyment without having to endure a political agenda. OK. I'll shut my big mouth now.
That is why there is more that unites us than divides us.
The ratings began declining long before Kaepernick took a knee, and there are myriad reasons. Broadcast dollars are still going up, that's what matters to the owners.
I dont think this argument works because the question is, when is "their time"? Players are routinely disciplined for actions outside of practice or game time, things that happen out of season, etc. because they are seen as representatives of the league 24/7/365.
This has been my experience too. It's definitely interesting.
Ratings have been dropping since before Kaepernick, but NFL Sunday Ticket cancelations haven’t. Those were offered by Directv immediately after players came out publicly stating they would protest again. Why would Directv offered refunds? Maybe because they got bombarded with customers saying “ENOUGH!”
I think most Americans would agree that the minute you punch your time card at 0800 Monday morning, your political opinions and other subjective feelings get checked at the door. If you want to protest something, there’s usually some group outraged by something planning an event downtown. There’s your outlet. Your boss doesn’t have time for it.
Regarding the feelings of veterans, it’s certianly true that a lot of them support the rights of people to protest. Including the flag. One veteran friend of mine said it perfectly: “If they want to disrespect the flag I fought for, have at it. I don’t agree with you, but go ahead and be mad at this country if it makes you feel better about yourself”.
They didn't. Google it. It's all hearsay and several accounts of people calling and being told there is no such cancellation policy in place. I'm sure some cancelled anyway, but not enough to matter. There just aren't enough of them anyway - if each of the 2MM Sunday ticket subscribers watched every week, they still make up less than 1% of broadcast viewers (~210MM weekly), so truly they are not part of the problem nor the solution.
My point is, that construct doesn't exist for NFL players. They're 'on' 24/7. Any time they protest is going to get recognized and draw attention/discipline etc. Most Americans would agree that if they go get drunk on Saturday night and get in an altercation, then get a ticket for peeing in the parking lot, it's none of their bosses business - unless they work Saturday nights
- but an NFL player can't do that on a Tuesday in March without facing repercussions.LOL
"Go ahead and be mad at Kaepernick for kneeling if it makes you feel better about yourself."
Is that what it is? Does that sound right to you?
Thanks for sharing your "friend's" thought.
They didn't. Google it. It's all hearsay and several accounts of people calling and being told there is no such cancellation policy in place. I'm sure some cancelled anyway, but not enough to matter. There just aren't enough of them anyway - if each of the 2MM Sunday ticket subscribers watched every week, they still make up less than 1% of broadcast viewers (~210MM weekly), so truly they are not part of the problem nor the solution.
My point is, that construct doesn't exist for NFL players. They're 'on' 24/7. Any time they protest is going to get recognized and draw attention/discipline etc. Most Americans would agree that if they go get drunk on Saturday night and get in an altercation, then get a ticket for peeing in the parking lot, it's none of their bosses business - unless they work Saturday nights
LOL
"Go ahead and be mad at Kaepernick for kneeling if it makes you feel better about yourself."
Is that what it is? Does that sound right to you?
Thanks for sharing your "friend's" thought.
So I was delusional when I called Directv last year, asked if the report was true that they were offering a prorated refund/cancellation in response to the protests? The agent said “yes, sir, we are”. And I canceled my subscription. That must’ve all been a dream.
We can disagree all day long about what constitutes being on the job. But I think it’s a little different when you’re wearing the organization’s uniform on National TV, offending many people and embarrassing your owner (in some cases). That’s different than peeing in the street.
There are as many accounts of people getting a no to that request as a yes, so I would guess DirectTV is like any other cable or cell phone company - call 4 times, get 4 different people, get 4 different answers. Anyway the point is moot - even if 10% of subscribers cancelled (no where near that) we're talking about 1/10 of 1% of viewers, if every subscriber watched every week. Statistically, and more important financially, irrelevant.
Regarding my analogy - I wasn't comparing peeing in the street to protesting the National Anthem - I was comparing the average Joe to an NFL player under the same circumstances, 'off duty'. But you actually made my point in a more concise manner - the player, in my analogy, would wind up in the national media, and that's really why they are never off duty, always representing the league and the team. Fame is the real issue. I suspect the owners that are against kneeling wouldn't be much happier if their players spoke out against police brutality, racism, double standards etc. every chance they had a mic put in front of them.
Honestly, what would upset me as a Jets fan would be if the owner wanted to restrict a players freedom to peacefully protest, so I'm glad the Jets ownership is comfortable with allowing it. But I do understand people are split, and I can see both sides. But to me that is one of the core freedoms in our country, and while I agree the owners would be within their rights to figure out how to disallow it while the players are in uniform, I'm glad they aren't (yet). It's what separates us from the 'bad guys' IMO, and we need as much of that separation as we can get these days.
I respectfully disagree, but your argument is well stated.
it is a shame. We cannot look to our elected leaders to set a high mark for decency and respect any more when politics means little more than hurling personal insults toward the opposition.
Then this veteran would point out to your veteran that this protest was never about the flag. He (and I ) swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States. That Constitution, and other laws of the Land, provide for equal protection under that law. The people who kneel are calling attention to the fact that not all Americans are equally protected and are, in fact, discriminated against by people who also swore to uphold those laws. The protests have been misrepresented (to be about the flag and patriotism) by people who would divide us. If that is "perfect" to you, then you don't realize that he doesn't understand the real issue here.
Later
This sounds like just about the healthiest take of all.
Last year there were no fines, and no Jets players took a knee.
Christopher Johnson is leading the team they way he wants. He is his own man and he is taking a stand about what he thinks is best for his organization and the team. I applaud him for it, and I bet the players do too.
Last point, being somewhat familiar with the law, NewMFS's post is a rational take on the legal and political issues at hand. I concur with his opinions generally.
Last point, being somewhat familiar with the law, NewMFS's post is a rational take on the legal and political issues at hand. I concur with his opinions generally.
i applaud christopher johnson's approach in supporting his players. this could go a long way in making the team an attractive destination to have an (acting) owner who backs his players like this. it's especially noteworthy when his brother (and the actual owner) is an ambassador for trump. i do wonder how long woody will keep this position once his "boss" gets wind of what his brother is doing.