Tebow, Marshall: different kneelings

Kickin’ it with Kiz Readers talk and columnist Mark Kiszla responds

Fans’ protests are legitimate too. It’s amazing how you “Donald Trump haters” like to blame the president for just about everything. The real reason NFL owners are laying down the “law” about the national anthem is not because they are caving to Trump but because fans protested by not going to games or watching on television. Kiz, I don’t remember you supporting Tim Tebow’s kneeling and pointing to Jesus after touchdowns. Oh, that’s right. Christianity is not politically correct nowadays, is it? T.S., supports kneeling in prayer

Kiz: There’s no cheering in the press box, but I salute athletes who endorse more than pizza and stand (or kneel) for something bigger than sports. This includes Brandon Marshall, Tebow, Jake Plummer and Martina Navratilova. When the NFL fined Plummer in 2004 for wearing a helmet decal in tribute to fallen military hero Pat Tillman, I wrote a column praising the quarterback and criticized the league that employed him.

Send a message. What gets lost in the debate over whether kneeling for the national anthem is disrespectful? The underlying reason for the players’ protest: the problem of bigotry in this country, and specifically acts of brutality by some police officers. How about if an entire team decided to stay in the locker room in solidarity, even if some players would not have knelt for the anthem? It would send a powerful message to the president and the NFL. Jim, supports kneeling in protest

Kiz: Marshall has long understood his silent protest could be curtailed by his employer and has long appreciated the support given him by the Broncos organization. Perhaps the rest of the NFL, as well as many American businesses, should take notes. There’s no doubt the boss has the authority to make workplace rules. But here’s something Marshall and I also understand: Treating employees as partners rather than minions can promote buyin and teamwork far stronger than a simple demand for loyalty.

The plays are the things. Let me ask you something: When the wannabe kneelers emerge from the locker room to join their NFL teammates who elected to stand for the national anthem, will they be cheered? Or booed? John, unopinionated

Kiz: Quick quiz. What’s the predominant color in Denver’s NFL stadium: A) red; B) white; C) blue, or D) orange? If you answered either “C” or “D,” you know a player wearing orange and blue is cheered running on the field, regardless of his political views. On the other hand, if Case Keenum throws three interceptions in a loss, I will make no guarantees what he will hear from fans while running off the field.

And today’s parting shot recognizes that every once in a while, the daily fish wrap is also suitable for framing:

I rarely read the sports section, but your column on Marshall vs. Trump caught my eye. Keep a copy of the newspaper for yourself, as “Which one sounds more like a meathead?” is a line bound to become a journalism classic. It was a nice way to remind us nonfans that assuming jocks are dumb is ridiculous discrimination. Rick, Parker