#NFLBoycott Fallout - An Update

A lot going on with the #NFLboycott so it's worth an update even though I've posted earlier today.

People are burning their player number jerseys and fan merchandise. We the people are angry.

This is making the rounds:


Another version of the "No Fans Left" meme contains a subtitle, "Burn It All!" (we the people are VERY angry.)

Part of the fans' anger likely stems from the fact that these players are able to perform their profession in large coliseums and stadiums built in no small part with taxpayer dollars (including taxpayer-funded bonds). From George H. Rodriguez, "El Conservador", a Texas conservative activist:

You read that right: For that large investment, the host cities see little to no economic stimulation. That is an 800-pound gorilla. The local fans, who also are taxpayers, don't want to be told their country, and themselves by extension, are racist or oppressive or support a murderous regime.... Especially not by wealthy, privileged athletes, inside a top-notch facility paid for by the taxpayer-fan.

Part of the anger also may stem from the utter hypocrisy of the NFL on the topic of free speech.
These "anthem protests" are supported by the NFL as "free speech". Where was this libertarian view of speech when:
Tim Tebow was considered "controversial" because he prayed?
Players wanted to honor murdered cops?
Players wanted to honor the victims of 9/11?
It goes on. This selective application of "free speech" makes it a very weak justification.

And then there's this database - which may suggest why so many NFL players are hostile to the police. For those players who have not been arrested: Are they still considered oppressed? #justasking

However, not all sports teams, athletes, and owners are crazy these days. 

NASCAR owners say that drivers and crew will be respectful during the anthem.   Fortunately, NASCAR drivers and crew, as well as invited celebrities, already seem to be fairly well disposed to behave appropriately during the anthem.

The Stanley Cup winner Pittsburg Penguins team is OK with visiting the White House - even after President Trump's comments critical of NFL anthem protesting players. Go Pens!

While college ball and pro ball are two different sports with different fans and drivers, you really can't ignore the implications for the NFL when observing the Fukushima-level disaster at the University of Missouri following the race riots there. Politics mixed with athletics there, and the result was total meltdown of the once-proud Mizzou Tiger football program. I recall Faurot Field, and my beloved OU Sooners playing various iterations of the Missouri Tigers years ago in the Big 8. As it turns out, race riots and football team walkout protests are not good advertising for athletic scholarship programs. Freshman enrollment has dropped 35% over the last 2 years. No parent wants their child to go to a school where either racists run wild, or protesters run wild, or maybe both!

This gentleman explains it well. If you are going to talk about the negative things then you have to admit the positive things. On balance there are a lot more positives.

Athletes who believe they are "oppressed" in some ill-defined way, or want to express a nebulous "solidarity" with some group, should instead start working on helping to fix the negative things. Like 50% black youth unemployment. Like boys with no father figure. Like children who need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, there are problems, but the anthem isn't responsible for it and the most helpful way to resolve problems in the community would come from these same "protesters" actually putting their money and efforts into personally addressing the problems instead of "taking a knee".