OT- What will Goodell do? Colin Kaepernick sits during national anthem

[RobertWeathers]

If the internet had been around in late April, 1967, we would have seen almost identical posts regarding a "notorious" athlete. That particular guy was remembered rather fondly after his recent death, iirc.

Or in mid-October, 1968 (and again in 1972), the outrage here would be epic.

Freedom of speech (expression) either means something or it doesn't.

I had a guy yell at me at a ball game because I didn't take off my hat for "God Bless America." I'm agnostic, and even before I came to that position, the insipid lyrics of that particular song always grated.

Y'know that bothers me but not too much. I'm actually OK with keeping the hat on. I ask my kids to do it but when they ***** I'll defer the battle to another time (they are girls so you need to choose wisely.). I'm ok with not even putting your hand over your heart.

But not standing.......mucho problemo.

 

[50-yard-line]

Freedom of speech means the government can't restrict what is said. This does not extend to the workplace and Kaepernick was speaking as an employee/representative of the 49rs and NFL. The 49rs and NFL have every right to sanction him if they choose just as Hope Solo was sanctioned for what she said.

it would be an interesting case if the NFL fined/sanctioned CK and he sued them. I think he'd win, as they are the ones demanding an action (statement).

I'm not a lawyer, but W Virginia v Barnette seems like a strong precedent. Also, forcing a Jehovah's Witness to stand for the national anthem would be a violation of freedom of religion, right?

 

[50-yard-line]

Y'know that bothers me but not too much. I'm actually OK with keeping the hat on. I askmy kids to do it but of someone doesn't whatever. I'm ok with not even putting your hand over your heart.

But not standing.......mucho problemo.

I didn't, and wouldn't, ask for your permission.

"God Bless America" is NOT the National Anthem.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I didn't, and wouldn't, ask for your permission.

"God Bless America" is NOT the National Anthem.

Take you hat off or not stand?

 

[50-yard-line]

Take you hat off or not stand?

For "God Bless America"? Who cares?

 

[RobertWeathers]

For "God Bless America"? Who cares?

Yea I agree. Its not the NA. That guy was a dooch.

Remember to do it in restaurants...

 

[Dr Pain]

The reality is there is considerable talk of him being cut for his poor play and high salary. His coach is Chuck Kelly who was wrongly accused of racism last year. The race card has now been played here a hours after Fox came out with an article on thy the 49rs should cut him. Kaepernick has played his hand and put the 49rs and NFL in a bad position.

Kaepernick has never been known for his activism before he was exposed as a fraud QB.

 

[patsfan13]

Kapernick should be able to make any political statement he wants, OTOH, fans and others are free to react to his views. Freedom is a 2 way street.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The reality is there is considerable talk of him being cut for his poor play and high salary. His coach is Chuck Kelly who was wrongly accused of racism last year. The race card has now been played here a hours after Fox came out with an article on thy the 49rs should cut him. Kaepernick has played his hand and put the 49rs and NFL in a bad position.

Kaepernick has never been known for his activism before he was exposed as a fraud QB.

The other aspect of this story is that Chip Kelly is a big-time supporter of the troops.

Hes done several USO missions to Iraq, Afgan and Pakistan and does a ton of charity work for wounded vets and their families.

I think it was a pregame story that a kid Chip tried to recruit to Oregon went to the Army instead and was KIA. He had a fiancee and 1 year old. Chip helped them out financially and took care of the mom's tuition at Oregon.

 

[oldrover]

No you didn't fix it, OR. Let us not forget that Washington, Adams, Hanckock, and Hamilton, etc all are revered by us specifically BECAUSE they refused to stand and salute the flag of their nation. A lot of blood was shed because people of the day wanted to change that flag.

The flag itself means nothing. It's what the flag is supposed to represent is what's important. Our forefathers warned us to beware the ones who throw the flag in our faces and extol patriotism like its a brick, and tell us to fear everyone who is "different". It's such a laugh, since we live in a country that was made strong BECAUSE everyone was "different".

Of course we shouldn't be shocked. Periodically we've endured these kinds of xenophobia. As early as the 1840's during a massive Irish immigration. Later we've experienced it with the Chinese, Japanese, Italians, and other Eastern Europeans, during periods when America needed cheap labor.

What is so funny is that when we look back at those times, we always think about how stupid they were, and how much better the country was BECAUSE of that immigration. What is so sad is that once again there are those who would use this issue for their own personal gain, DESPITE the fact it flies in the face of EVERYTHING we're supposed to have learned from our past. Clearly a lot of people were sleeping in history class in school.

1. I did fix it. Our founding fathers died to establish this country, and as a result he is free to say what he wants. That is objective fact.

2. The revolutionary war wasn't about racism. In fact, blacks at that time would only get a 3/5ths vote and some of our founding fathers had slaves... which were legal. The revolutionary war was mostly about religious freedom and taxation without representation. Racism was the civil war. Which the north won.

3. Your game reviews are VERY worthwhile reading, though.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Man. You might have a plan there.

Stick your nephew on the sideline with Kappydink and the next time he refuses to respect the NA he'll find his big protesting balls stuck in his throat.

No Marine would put up with that. Guaranteed.

I'm not sure about that. I probably don't know as many Marines as do you, but most of the ones I've met would be mightily pissed off and would let him know so in no uncertain terms (as my friends are fond of saying, "You can always tell a Marine, but you can't tell him much"), but they wouldn't cause him physical harm.

 

[PatsWSB47]

1. I did fix it. Our founding fathers died to establish this country, and as a result he is free to say what he wants. That is objective fact.

2. The revolutionary war wasn't about racism. In fact, blacks at that time would only get a 3/5ths vote and some of our founding fathers had slaves... which were legal. The revolutionary war was mostly about religious freedom and taxation without representation. Racism was the civil war. Which the north won.

3. Your game reviews are VERY worthwhile reading, though.

Actually blacks could not vote period. Each one only counted as 3/5 of a person so that when the number of state representatives were figured for each state, southern states wouldn't be "over represented"(not that any black actually was represented by anyone in the south). The south wanted to count them as whole people only so they could have more votes in congress. The 3/5 person was actually a compromise.

 

[Froob]

NFL needs to make it a 15 yd penalty for not standing (and a first round pick for loosely related repeat offenses) and 15 yds for not putting your hand over your heart. I want high def challenges to see if a player had his hand over his heart or closer to mid chest.

 

[Tony2046]

Not only is this "if you don't like it, leave" perspective complete bologna, it violates one of the fundamental principles upon which this nation was founded.

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

The "disrespecting" of our government doesn't imply that some other governments are far superior. If there is a truly benevolent, national government out there, I have yet to find it. They are all infected by the same sickness, albeit to different degrees. In fact, if the vast majority of my family wasn't in this country, I would have left long ago to a somewhat less greedy and aggressive country.

For the record, I do stand for the national anthem. The only reason is because many service men who've sacrificed much take personal offense otherwise. Even though these noble men have been duped into fighting for another's greed, they did so thinking they were fighting for freedom, and a country that they mistakenly believe is just and good. The real tragedy in all of this is that such a viscous and greedy government tricks men of valor into fighting and sacrificing so much for the wealth of a few.

What a load of crap.

I never joined to serve the elite. I joined to serve myself, my family, my blue collared brothers and of course my country.

The real tragedy is that those who serve rely on the rest of us to do our part and yet we have ridiculous voter turnout during presidential elections and even more embarrassing turnouts at midterms.

You want change? Participate.

But go ahead and burn a flag on the way to Iceland. I'll meet you at the airport and buy you your last cup of D&D coffee.

 

[Froob]

What a load of crap.

I never joined to serve the elite. I joined to serve myself, my family, my blue collared brothers and of course my country.

The real tragedy is that those who serve rely on the rest of us to do our part and yet we have ridiculous voter turnout during presidential elections and even more embarrassing turnouts at midterms.

You want change? Participate.

But go ahead and burn a flag on the way to Iceland. I'll meet you at the airport and buy you your last cup of D&D coffee.

Don't even have the decency to buy him Tim Horton's? Harsh bro.

 

[oldrover]

Actually blacks could not vote period. Each one only counted as 3/5 of a person so that when the number of state representatives were figured for each state, southern states wouldn't be "over represented"(not that any black actually was represented by anyone in the south). The south wanted to count them as whole people only so they could have more votes in congress. The 3/5 person was actually a compromise.

Oops. You are correct, sir. Thanks. I didn't fall asleep during history class... but I guess I might have dozed off there for a minute. LOL

 

[Tony2046]

I'm not sure about that. I probably don't know as many Marines as do you, but most of the ones I've met would be mightily pissed off and would let him know so in no uncertain terms (as my friends are fond of saying, "You can always tell a Marine, but you can't tell him much"), but they wouldn't cause him physical harm.

You may be right but I'm quite sure my uncle would have.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

What will Goodell do?

Based on prior history, I'd say . . . either (a) something really stupid or (b) nothing at all. There is no choice (c).

 

[RobertWeathers]

Don't even have the decency to buy him Tim Horton's? Harsh bro.

Tim Horton's coffee is awful.

 

[Tony2046]

Don't even have the decency to buy him Tim Horton's? Harsh bro.

Come to think of it, he's probably a Starbucks mocha chocha late type of guy.

Rumor has it that he once received the wrong drink and left angry. Burned the Starbucks logo on his cup.