NFL may change anthem policy next season...

[Nickhead]

if players continue to protest. IMO, it's great news. regardless of how symbolic the anthem is, when you have a bunch of millionaires protesting in front of a crowd that averages about 40K a year in income, it is truly a slap in the face to the ones in paid attendance.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefi...r-rooms-during

Some NFL owners might consider keeping teams in the locker room during the national anthem next season if player protests continue, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

“I think that if players are still kneeling at the end of the year, then it could very well happen,” a source told the newspaper.

Multiple people told the newspaper that it was too early to tell if league owners would follow through on a new policy, adding that there have not been detailed discussions.

NFL players have protested social justice issues, such as police brutality, since the 2016 season, either kneeling or raising a fist during the national anthem. The issue was brought into the spotlight again in September, when President Trump suggested those taking a knee should be fired.

On Monday, he called for Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch to be suspended for the remainder of the season after Lynch sat for the United States national anthem, but stood for the Mexican anthem during a game in Mexico City.

Players have been spotted protesting each week since Trump's remarks.

The protests have stirred controversy among fans and businesses as well. Papa John's earlier this month suggested the protests were to blame for their sagging sales numbers.

Prior to 2009, teams remained in their locker room for the national anthem. The league policy currently requires players to be on the sideline for the anthem.

[teedubya]

This whole ordeal has been a pay-for-patriotism play by the Dept of Defense. That is true. I think it's safe to say that it has backfired for the NFL.

http://mashable.com/2015/11/05/nfl-p.../#rjUeqnHP3Zqn

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by teedubya

http://mashable.com/2015/11/05/nfl-p.../#rjUeqnHP3Zqn

"The NFL, more than any other American sport, attaches itself to the imagery and symbolism of war and the U.S. military. Tributes for troops before and during games are common, as are reunions between family members separated by active duty. Oversized flags, soldiers in uniform, soldiers with guns — it's all there.

But it turns out these displays of patriotism and appreciation haven't just been the NFL trying to do what it considers a good thing. Rather, the Department of Defense has given millions of dollars to sports leagues for what is now being being called "paid patriotism" — in other words, subtle military advertising embedded in professional sports games with no disclaimer about who is funding the breathless pageantry."

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by teedubya

This whole ordeal has been a pay-for-patriotism play by the Dept of Defense. That is true. I think it's safe to say that it has backfired for the NFL.

http://mashable.com/2015/11/05/nfl-p.../#rjUeqnHP3Zqn

I'd argue it hasn't backfired for the DOD just yet.

[St. Patty's Fire]

Or just don't perform the anthem.

Never really understood why the anthem is a staple of sporting events. Doesn't really have anything to do with anything.

Either way, this whole mess is just really, really dumb, and on the list of problems with this country, I'd say this ranks in the low 1000s.

[RobBlake]

Originally Posted by Nickhead

if players continue to protest. IMO, it's great news. regardless of how symbolic the anthem is, when you have a bunch of millionaires protesting in front of a crowd that averages about 40K a year in income, it is truly a slap in the face to the ones in paid attendance.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefi...r-rooms-during

Yeah cause money means much

[Spott]

Originally Posted by JohnDONsey

Or just don't perform the anthem.

Never really understood why the anthem is a staple of sporting events. Doesn't really have anything to do with anything.

Either way, this whole mess is just really, really dumb, and on the list of problems with this country, I'd say this ranks in the low 1000s.

Exactly this.

[ARROW2]

Originally Posted by JohnDONsey

Or just don't perform the anthem.

Never really understood why the anthem is a staple of sporting events. Doesn't really have anything to do with anything.

Either way, this whole mess is just really, really dumb, and on the list of problems with this country, I'd say this ranks in the low 1000s.

In the low 1,000,000,000,000

[ARROW2]

A few black dudes kneeling makes you not watch? Really? Especially when the original reason has gotten lost and the narrative twisted and changed by the divider in chief. Whatever. I just want to watch some damn football. I don't give a **** if Monica Lewinsky is taking care of someone in the locker room during it. I just want to watch the game.

[ARROW2]

Those cancelling sunday ticket are stupid. The ticket doesn't even show the anthem most of the time, it's right to the pregame talk in the booth, then the game.

[scho63]

So basically the NFL has decided to hide the teams in the locker room and not deal with it.

Gutless bastards

[bowener]

This is how it was until 15 years ago or so, right? It was voluntary for players up until then if I remember correctly.

IDGAF what they do before the game, but for anybody upset by players kneeling should probably consider being outraged by the amount of taxes spent on and lost to the teams on the field.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

Those cancelling sunday ticket are stupid. The ticket doesn't even show the anthem most of the time, it's right to the pregame talk in the booth, then the game.

No different than those kneeling. They are protesting their right and do are those canceling.

[wazu]

NFL should just ride it out. In a few years when other players are seeing their market value far below what their play warrants, this will stop. Right now I think a few, like Peters, think that Kaepernick is a one-time situation.

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by scho63

So basically the NFL has decided to hide the teams in the locker room and not deal with it.

Gutless bastards

How exactly is the NFL supposed to deal with it? lol

Don't tell me they could force players to stand.

[Calcountry]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

A few black dudes kneeling makes you not watch? Really? Especially when the original reason has gotten lost and the narrative twisted and changed by the divider in chief. Whatever. I just want to watch some damn football. I don't give a **** if Monica Lewinsky is taking care of someone in the locker room during it. I just want to watch the game.

"Wow, if only you could have worked Harvey Weinstein into this post, it would have been a classic.