Without changes, this fan is done with NFL
Ihave been watching NFL games since I was a little fellow sitting between Mother and Dad on the big green sofa in our den. Many of my childhood heroes were professional football players, and I had great respect for the men who coached them. Times were different back then on so many levels, but one thing that has not changed is Americans’ respect for our national anthem and for our flag. I always stand and sing at games or other ceremonies where the anthem is played. Doing so makes me feel like we are all together, if only for those few minutes it takes to sing along. For me, it is a moment to honor all those who serve in our military and all those who served before them, many of whom gave their lives so we might enjoy that freedom to stand to sing together.
Like many Americans, I was appalled last season when Colin Kaepernick refused to stand on the sideline during the traditional pregame flag-raising and playing of the anthem. As the season wore on and more of his teammates began to kneel with him, I was so disgusted that I quit watching the San Francisco 49ers. It was no surprise to me when he failed to secure a spot on any NFL roster this season. Football fans are some of the most patriotic among us, and the team owners do not want to antagonize their fans, at least until now.
When I saw what happened at the NFL game in London recently, where the majority of players refused to stand for our national anthem but then rose for that of Great Britain, something changed for me. Then when I heard the Pittsburgh Steelers players and coaches refused to even come out of their locker room for the raising of our flag and playing of the national anthem, at Soldier Field of all places, I could not believe it. The moment was made even more dramatic when one lone Pittsburgh player, a highly decorated former Army Ranger, did stand with hand over his heart for our national anthem.
Most Sundays during football season I used to watch the FOX Sports’ pregame show and then a game or two. Last weekend, I did not even turn on the television. This issue is not about the First Amendment. The players are free to protest however they want off the field, but not on the field; not in front of millions of fans who come to the game or tune in to escape politics and just watch a football game.
Because only a handful of players in the NFL are veterans of our military, perhaps that is why so many players seem not to understand how their behavior is simply unacceptable to so many Americans. But their billionaire owners do know, and the sponsors who spend billions on gameday ads do, too. Unless there is a sudden and dramatic change on the part of the National Football League, I am one fan who is done watching professional football. My guess is that millions of Americans feel pretty much as I do.