The whole country is in an uproar about whether or not professional athletes should be forced to stand at attention when the national anthem is played before their games. Certain players and teams are refusing to do so as a protest again what they see as racism in the police force and other institutions in the country.
I think the whole thing is a manufactured issue, that the media created, to successfully get more attention to the things they are showing. Starting with Colin Kaepernick last year, the issue has simmered until last week when it exploded across the world, with Trump denouncing it, players in England taking part, entire teams not attending the anthem, and it spreading to other sports.
Mostly this has occurred as players taking a knee during the anthem, or remaining seated when the rest of the team stands. Other players have remained standing but raised a fist instead of placing their hand over their heart. The Steelers took it a step farther by not showing up on the field for the anthem. It will be interesting to see what happens next, as people try to top that move in their quest for attention. It is an increasing level of disrespect for the flag, and country depending on how you look at it. Part of the spread seems to be fueled by rebellion against the idea that certain people have been expressing: "that the players shouldn't be allowed to protest." Just because someone can do something doesn't necessarily mean that they should.
From a first amendment perspective, there is nothing that the government can or should do about it. So in that way, Trump is totally out of line, and the last person that should try to influence the situation. The NFL or individual team owners have the right, but not the obligation, to put a stop to it. The owners of certain teams like the Cowboy's have prohibited their players from taking part, while others like the Patriots have supported the protest. The Jaguars owner took part in the protest himself, while the Steelers coach (unsuccessfully) tried to pressure his entire team into taking part.
The unexpected result of this was that it gave one Steelers player the opportunity to make a protest of his own. Standing outside the locker rom at the edge of the field, the former Army Ranger stood at attention during the anthem, in a move that implicitly protested the ongoing disrespect of the flag and country. Now the one standing apart and getting attention is the one doing the normal thing, which becomes counterproductive for those trying to point attention where they want it, so that might be the key to ending the issue. It is not a protest that is sustainable or scalable. Once entire teams are doing it, it becomes the new normal, and no one is getting special attention, and people stop talking about it.
I think the entire issue is a good highlight to the general public of what the first amendment does and doesn't apply to. People care far more about sports than I think they should, but if that interest motivates them to examine this legal issue closer than they otherwise would, so be it. It should help them understand that the first amendment only protects them from the government punishing them in disapproval of their free expressions. Other people are free to express counter opinions in response, or even to terminate their relationships or employment with them (Within certain parameters). This is similar to the dancers who didn't want to perform at Trumps inauguration, they have a right not to, but at the expense of their jobs. It will be interesting to see if this grows into a conflict between people who do have authority to change things (the league and owners) and the players. Because up until now, nothing of any consequence has actually taken place as a result of the entire thing. And I am not sure how much of anything positive really could, given the broad nature of what they are protesting.
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