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Title: Jaguars, Ravens players kneel [overseas] during anthem amid Trump's criticism
Source:
The Hill
URL Source: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-brief ... l-during-anthem-in-response-to
Published: Sep 24, 2017
Author: Brandon Carter
Post Date: 2017-09-24 12:43:38 by Tooconservative
Keywords: None
Views: 26674
Comments: 124
Multiple Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars players knelt on Sunday during the playing of the national anthem at the first NFL game since President Trump called for players who take a knee to be fired. Video and photos posted to Twitter shows players kneeling and locking arms as the anthem played. Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan joined his players on the field and linked arms with them before the game began. Trump has faced backlash in recent days from after calling on NFL owners to fire players who kneel during the national anthem. "Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a b---- off the field right now,'" Trump said at a rally in Alabama on Friday. "'He is fired.'" Trump’s comments brought rebukes against Trump from multiple NFL players, the head of the NFL players’ union and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who called Trump’s comments “divisive” and said they showed a “lack of respect for the NFL.” Several NFL executives have also spoken out against Trump and reaffirmed their players’ rights to peacefully protest. But Trump on Sunday doubled down on his comments, calling for players to be fired or suspended for not standing during the national anthem and hitting the NFL for not telling players to stand. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017 Poster Comment: Notice that "Shad Khan" (what a cute nickname), the Jaguars owner is a Paki immigrant and Sunni Muslim who joined his team in publicly disrespecting our country. Notice that they traveled overseas to disrespect our flag and anthem. But both teams stood for the British anthem! Another NFL story about kneeling: Ravens and Jaguars players kneeling during National Anthem in England pic.twitter.com/GhthyfIEe3— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) September 24, 2017 Many players from both teams kneeling during anthem in London, arms linked.— Neil Best (@sportswatch) September 24, 2017 Multiple players on both the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars took a knee during the national anthem in the first NFL game today pic.twitter.com/lSz7IcwhBm— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 24, 2017 
A multitude of #Ravens and #Jaguars players kneeling during the National Anthem this morning, the rest of the team locking arms in unison pic.twitter.com/c97tPS9PxC— Ashlyn Sullivan (@ashlynrsullivan) September 24, 2017 
Jaguars’ owner Shad Khan: pic.twitter.com/aMO8cHDWYb— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2017 
If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend! ...NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.
I did my best to get those Twitter pics to show here.
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 36.
#12. To: Tooconservative (#0)
Trump should just ignore the matter completely. It's purely a private NFL matter.
Actually, it has already spread to major league baseball, and internationally, and the actions are not happening in private. What it is not, is a matter of constitutionally protected free speech. The First Amendment protects against governmental interference with free speech. If the players can disrespect the flag, the national anthem, or the country on the field, in uniform, while they represent the team and the league, it is because they are being permitted to do so by the NFL and their team.
#37. To: nolu chan, *Bill of Rights-Constitution* (#36)
Thank you for admitting that Trump is wrong, and should shut his scofflaw mouth.
That is entirely the issue, and why so many people are starting to shun the NFL.
Well, it is constitutionally protected from criminal action which means Trump has zero legal authority to do anything about it. My meaning with "private" was that the government has no say or grounds for complaint in the matter, and that it was solely in the purview of the NFL to deal with however they see fit. True, as stadiums qualify as public venues and the events are widely broadcast it is not private it that sense. As it is not a federal matter, Trump should declare it as such, and his condemnation of the protest should be billed as his personal opinion, though underscoring that is not Trump's way. From another angle, Trump's condemnation of the protests have actually served to reward the protesters with the very attention they want. That may have actually fanned the flames, so to speak, and encouraged other athletes to protest as well. Pro athletes may well have modest loyalty to country, but likely a stronger loyalty to their teammates, and compatriots in other pro sports.
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/09/25/gregg-jarrett-trump-is-correct-nfl- teams-can-legally-fire-players-for-their-conduct.html Every professional player must sign the standard NFL player contract. In it, the player promises as follows: “To conduct himself on and off the field with appropriate recognition of the fact that the success of professional football depends largely on public respect for and approval of those associated with the game” (Paragraph 2). “ If player has engaged in personal conduct reasonably judged by the Club to adversely affect or reflect on the Club, then the Club may terminate this contract” (Paragraph 11). This language makes it clear that a team will decide whether a player’s personal conduct adversely affects the club. Since it is a subjective standard, NFL owners have enormous latitude and discretion to fire a player for reasons of conduct. But that is not all. The collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the players’ union and approved by the players themselves authorizes suspension or termination “for conduct detrimental to the integrity of, or public confidence in, the game of professional football” (Article 46). The players agreed in writing to conduct themselves with respect and refrain from conduct which is detrimental to the game. There is nothing in either of these contracts which gives players a right to a political or social protest while in uniform at the commencement of a game. Indeed, the league strictly enforces the wearing of patches and other symbols on player uniforms which are intended to promote causes.
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#36. To: Pinguinite, Tooconservative (#12)
It's purely a private NFL matter.
Replies to Comment # 36. The First Amendment protects against governmental interference with free speech.
#66. To: nolu chan (#36)
If the players can disrespect the flag, the national anthem, or the country on the field, in uniform, while they represent the team and the league, it is because they are being permitted to do so by the NFL
#68. To: nolu chan (#36)
What it is not, is a matter of constitutionally protected free speech. The First Amendment protects against governmental interference with free speech.
#91. To: nolu chan (#36)
End Trace Mode for Comment # 36.
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