From nfl.com
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday issued a memo to all 32 teams addressing the issue of the national anthem before games.
“We live in a country that can feel very divided. Sports, and especially the NFL, brings people together and lets them set aside those divisions, at least for a few hours. The current dispute over the National Anthem is threatening to erode the unifying power of our game, and is now dividing us, and our players, from many fans across the country.
“I’m very proud of our players and owners who have done the hard work over the past year to listen, understand and attempt to address the underlying issues within their communities. At our September committee meetings, we heard directly from several players about why these issues are so important to them and how we can support their work. And last week, we met with the leadership of the NFLPA and more players to advance the dialogue.
“Like many of our fans, we believe that everyone should stand for the National Anthem. It is an important moment in our game. We want to honor our flag and our country, and our fans expect that of us. We also care deeply about our players and respect their opinions and concerns about critical social issues. The controversy over the Anthem is a barrier to having honest conversations and making real progress on the underlying issues. We need to move past this controversy, and we want to do that together with our players.
“Building on many discussions with clubs and players, we have worked to develop a plan that we will review with you at next week’s League meeting. This would include such elements as an in-season platform to promote the work of our players on these core issues, and that will help to promote positive change in our country. We want to ensure that any work at the League level is consistent with the work that each club is doing in its own community, and that we dedicate a platform that can enable these initiatives to succeed. Additionally, we will continue the unprecedented dialogue with our players.
“I expect and look forward to a full and open discussion of these issues when we meet next week in New York. Everyone involved in the game needs to come together on a path forward to continue to be a force for good within our communities, protect the game, and preserve our relationship with fans throughout the country. The NFL is at its best when we ourselves are unified. In that spirit, let’s resolve that next week we will meet this challenge in a unified and positive way.”
Look Roger, the issue is, the ‘take a knee’ bullshit is a fucking publicity stunt and a blatant gesture of disrespect toward the national anthem and the flag. This whole ‘protest’ started with a petulant overpaid, ungrateful punk who was adopted by a white family when his white mother and BLACK father abandoned him.
Goodell knows he fucked up by not confronting this shit sooner, and now he’s released a statement full of pandering mush.
Actions have consequences. Fed up fans are boycotting, destroying their jerseys, and refusing to purchase the NFL product.
If he had any guts, he would take a page from the NFL Game Operations Manual A62-63, and make it part of the Official NFL Rule Book:
“The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.
“During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.”
Related articles:
https://news.grabien.com/story-roger-goodell-ignoring-leagues-own-rule-book-letting-players
https://deadspin.com/the-nfl-quietly-changed-its-obscure-rule-about-standing-1819300660
Related posts:
https://sfcmac.wordpress.com/2016/09/12/to-the-nfl-players-who-disrespect-the-national-anthem/
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Autumn
AutumnCote@WriterBeat.com
Autumn,
Yep, go ahead.
SFC MAC