Should NFL players be allowed to kneel during the U.S. National Anthem? 49er’s quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, started a protest against the discrimination against people of color in America by kneeling during the U.S. National Anthem at one of his team’s football games. People are now disputing over whether it is okay or not to kneel/protest during the the national anthem. The current U.S. president, Donald J. Trump, believes it is impolite, and kneeling is “disrespecting the [U.S.] flag” (qtd. in Kenny). I think people should, indeed, be allowed to kneel during the “Star Spangled Banner” because they have the right to protest, and the problem they are protesting against is relevant and important. NFL players (and all people in general) …show more content…
President Trump said kneeling during the Anthem is “disrespecting our flag” because they aren’t standing and acknowledging the freedom American veterans fought for. Although, Donald Trump, and others, just see the act as opposing the norm, and causing trouble instead of a stand against a greater problem. The opposers believe the protest is useless and just a way to cause unnecessary drama and separation in the country. Except, these protest are extremely necessary! No one was doing anything about the discrimination in the country, and it was going on for way too long. The country needed this raise of awareness. As Amy, a Guardian reader, stated, “being forced to stand at attention with a boot on your neck isn’t patriotism, it’s tyranny.” In other words, Amy was insisting that Trump forcing Americans to stand during the national anthem isn’t making them show the patriotism and nationalism the Anthem is talking about, it is just an example of Trump being a tyrant. If President Trump forces Americans to stand, he is disregarding all the patriotism and democracy America stands for by making people stand for something they don’t believe
First of all, kneeling the National Anthem is an ineffective and, counterproductive way to promote a cause. Knelling for the National Anthem isn't going to change anything besides lowering the rates on TV and getting negative comments online. Football coach Dabu Swinney said "I don’t think it's good to be a distraction to your team. I don’t think it's good to use your team as the platform." Patti Armstrong States that" you don’t get respect from showing disrespect." Philadelphia Eagles support the protest but disagree with the way he did so. Kneeling for the National Anthem is not a proper way to protest police brutality for colored ("Refusing"). These are some of the few reasons kneeling for the national anthem is an ineffective way of protesting.
level. Giving the opportunity to play in the NFL is truly a blessing. These players receive
So, now that we have you all caught up, let's dig into the question at hand. Do NFL players have the right to protest the National Anthem while they are on the clock? Players are saying it is freedom of speech. While everyday Americans are saying it is a double standard and they could not do that without being fired from their jobs.
...s and driving while intoxicated. They have this sense of entitlement because they play the in highest level of sports. Since they are NFL players, they think people should look up to them. They need to realize that they are essentially employees of a Fortune 500 company. This is why the rookie symposium is very crucial in the development of an NFL player. Former NFL players as well as the players in charge of the Substance Abuse Policy discipline can teach and inform the rookies of the troubles that former players have gotten into. In addition, rookies can be taught about the problems that stem from alcohol and drug abuse. Whatever method they choose (whether its showing charts or graphics of former players getting arrested), the rookies should understand that the NFL is there to help and that staying out of trouble is in the best interest of both parties.
How do Americans feel about kneeling in protest during the national anthem? That’s a simple answer, the views are diverse and opinionated all around. You have your right to voice your opinion however, this concept seems to daunt many as they seem to forget that, in this case, kneeling as a form of protest is an exercise of our free speech and therefore should be accepted as such. President Donald Trump is guilty of stating he’s a man of the people but feels the need to disdain many unheard voices by using offensive and hurtful commentary like, “Get that son of a b---h off the field right now! He's fired!” (Tennessean- Lowary, J) Unaware of the reasoning behind every player’s protest, Trump continues to berate his own people in more ways than
It is disrespectful to kneel during the national anthem because it disrespects the military and veterans, and could be done in a more professional way. I feel that kneeling shows how unappreciative those NFL players are. They get to go play the most popular sport in America for millions of dollars. There should be some consequences from taking this action. This protest could be done in a more professional way.
Kneeling During the National Anthem You have probably seen the debate across the news covering the controversial protest of kneeling during the National Anthem. This protest has stirred up conversation throughout the nation. Is kneeling during the anthem an appropriate way to protest? Supporters think that the celebrities are smart by using their fame to bring attention to America’s problems, but others think that football games are not the appropriate place to focus on politics.
Tiffany Patterson argues “College football players are already receiving scholarships to pay for their tuition and it is unfair to other students who are juggling between jobs and school.”(Patterson) Although college football players work hard at playing football, it is unfair to other students who are not receiving scholarships and having football players paid will be even more unfair. According to Lauren Horne, the lead author of Bleacherreport, says “College football players cost universities and colleges lots of money and paying them will put the universities in even more financial debt. Universities and colleges spend about $42 million on football players who, except for an elite hundred, will never play in the NFL.”(Horne) Colleges are already have finance issues and if they pay all the players, their trouble will get worse. Rick Burton, the professor of sports management at Syracuse University explains “Student athletes who go to college are already receiving a fair amount of pay by receiving an education”(Burton) The athletes are being compensated for their time on the football field by the professors giving them an
Of course the NFL can not directly stop the players that take a knee during the playing of our country's National Anthem because of the 1st amendment. However, these players are grown men, and are very influential. Many people look up to these players and will follow them. Children follow these player and grow
In reality, they are human beings like you and me who, no matter what the circumstances, can and will be charged like an average person. The offense of the crime can certainly come into play based on whether or not a professional athlete who commits a crime should be allowed to play again. Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol is one crime that athletes may commit. This crime is common among athletes and can attract unnecessary attention. DUI or DWI is a crime that is quickly resolved and is passed over by society, yet reporters try to dig up more dirt on professional players to bury them in more attention.
An argument for this is that veterans have fought for our freedom, so for us to disgrace the flag is totally unexceptable. However, it has been pointed out when they are kneeling during the National Anthem they are using their rights that were fought for. A letter signed by 35 US veterans stated that "Far from disrespecting our troops, there is no finer form of appreciation for our sacrifice than for Americans to enthusiastically exercise their freedom of speech." [12]”. This demonstrates the idea that some customs can be ----(overtaken) if they have the right intentions.
This is why many people should take advantage of that instead of disrespecting it. Such as you have the right to state your opinion or vote. You also have a chance to create your own path in life rather than being told what is required of you. Another reason why players shouldn’t shame the flag is because politics shouldn’t be involved in sports. The whole reason why families enjoy going to live games or even watching them on tv Sunday evening is to have fun, not to have to listen to others boo each other during the pledge , which really is just as disrespectful as kneeling. Besides, why should it have to be taken to the extreme to which is now our president having to get involved and take action, such as threatening players that they might lose their job? Some players, more than likely, wouldn't be able to afford to lose this high of a paying job. Most importantly, the final reason why players should pay their respects to our flag is because every second of everyday brave, courageous men and women risk their lives to save ours from any and all foreign enemies. From minor battles and skirmishes to worldwide combat, our military is always on their feet; whether they are in the US, Iraq, or halfway around the world they never back down. Our service doesn’t care what race or religion you are. They fight for our country, they don’t trudge onto the field and announce we will be fighting for the whites in our country, now do
When Donald Trump tweeted Curry, Curry was overwhelmed and shocked that the president was so defensive about his decline to go to the White House. Curry explains, “And now, of course, it’s those same people — who couldn’t understand why I would peacefully state my opposition to our White House visit — who will tell you that pro athletes, when they engage in peaceful protest, are disrespecting the military, our flag and our country” (Curry, TN). The keyword there is peaceful. When protesting, whether its declining to go to the White House or kneeling during the national anthem, peacefully wanting to speak out is okay and it is a right in the Constitution. The first Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (findlaw). Not one of those people are in any way trying to be disrespectful to the military nor the American flag. They are protesting for a reason, a good reason. It could be standing up for Black lives in America or disagreeing with the president's actions and/or comments, either way it is something that we need do to make a
I would argue that protesting during an anthem is disrespectful to the country, and that it is an inefficient method of protesting. My first point is that protesting in any way during the anthem is very disrespectful to the country and consequently its founders and the veterans. The flag and anthem symbolises years, decades, centuries of struggle for independence. Protesting during the anthem implies a disregard of these efforts.
Some will say, no it’s not unethical to kneel or sit during the Pledge of Allegiance. Kneeling or sitting during the Pledge of Allegiance became a non-violent way to protest police brutality and the senseless killings of unarmed black people. The origin of this protest came from the NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who sat during a football game in the summer of 2016, then started taking a knee. On the other hand, some will say that it is unethical to kneel or sit during the Pledge of Allegiance. It is unpatriotic and a disrespectful gesture towards the people who served and continue to serve in the military and America.