Politics and Football don't mix

Submitting to their masters is what employees do. If an employees actions are hurting the business they will not be allowed to continue those actions. This shouldn't be any different. The league can determine this is conduct detrimental and do what ever they want. There is plenty of evidence to support that these "protests" have impacted viewership.

Union my friend. The players have a union. This whole thing could explode into a walk out, and if the owners do follow through like some have indicated, the union will pull all players off the field.

It's time for level heads to resolve this issue away from the game, and throwing threats at minority players because of the issue is not resolving it. In the end, the US Supreme Court will rule that the players do have a right to strike. It will cost franchises so much money that many could fold.
 
Union doesn't trump the business. The clause is conduct detrimental. There is zero argument that they can punish for conduct detrimental.

STANDARD OF CONDUCT
While criminal activity is clearly outside the scope of permissible conduct, and persons who engage in criminal activity will be subject to discipline, the standard of conduct for persons employed in the NFL is considerably higher. It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. Instead, as an employee of the NFL or a member club, you are held to a higher standard and expected to conduct yourself in a way that is responsible, promotes the values upon which the League is based, and is lawful. Persons who fail to live up to this standard of conduct are guilty of conduct detrimental and subject to discipline, even where the conduct itself does not result in conviction of a crime. Discipline may be imposed in any of the following circumstances:

(The catch all clause)
Conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.

If the players walk over this it would only be a portion. Less than 1% of players are actually participating in the protests. It will hurt the players to walk far more than the owners especially in the short term. If they walk over this issue the league will do everything in their power to stick it to them in the next CBA. It would be in the best interest of the players to just stand for the anthem and quit making a mountain out of a molehill. The issues are real but they have been lost in all the BS in the last few weeks.
 
We don't need more owners following Jerry Jones! The guy is an egomaniac and he hasn't been successful since Jimmy Johnson left town.
What we need is the NFL to say: "express your freedom of speech on your own time! At the workplace you will adhere to this policy.....etc.
That's ALL THEY NEED TO DO!

Unfortunately the message has been lost and the issue has been turned on its ear.

Just give me back my football and tackle your perceived injustices away from the field.
 
I think the NFL needs to be careful how they handle this. I think it is time for them to work with the players and union and put an end to this situation as Dubz says. In return, offer something else as a gesture to the players for united expression outside the anthem/flag ceremony. The league is significantly represented by minority players (and fans) who might view a totally heavy handed approach as a slap in the face against their concerns and issues.

Different people interpret the flag and anthem differently. For me, the flag is the flag of the United States, not the flag of just the US military branches. Same with the anthem. Kneeling does not dishonor the military, and not one single player has expressed that sentiment. Does it perhaps mean more to armed service personnel and vets - yes, it likely does. Part of this is about intent and some groups/people are making these protests about other/bigger things than the protesters intend and assuming disrespects that are not intended. That said, when you go down the protest route in a situation that most people consider a time to "honor America", you risk alienating a lot of folks. They need to move on.

It seems like the NFL should offer the players who wish to protest a different forum. For example, a moment of silence before games for those who die from violence and injustice. Follow it by singing God Bless America or perhaps America the Beautiful or ????. Follow that with the anthem, color guard, etc. I don't know that something like that is an answer, but they need to find a way to separate the protest from the anthem, yet still make it meaningful.
 
Rishard Matthews says he will quit football if forced to stand for anthem. Yeah right guy will give up 6 figure income to protest anthem. I highly doubt he give up career over the anthem. Sometimes players need to step back and think before they make foolish comments like that.
 
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