NFL Anti-Patriotism

A US Marine takes a knee

We are told the NFL players are free to exercise their Right of Free Speech; and we agree.

However, the football field, and in uniform, are not the venue. Just as US soldiers were allowed to protest the Vietnam War, but outside Military installations, in civilian clothes, not in uniform, and speaking not as US soldiers, but as private citizens.

We encourage NFL players to remove their uniforms and carry picket signs, and march in front of the White House, or perhaps the statue of Lincoln in Washington, or at the WW2 Memorials, or the Vietnam Memorials, or at Arlington Cemetery where all those who gave their lives defending Freedom of Speech for everyone, even young athletes, many of whom have police records for rape, assault, drugs, and violent crimes, are now millionaires for spending a few months playing football.

The Right to Free Speech, however, is limited, not by the federal or local governments, but. amazingly enough, by the NFL.  The NFL Rule Book is specific, on page A62,63, pertaining to the National Anthem.

The National Football League Rule Book states: 

“The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.

The ONLY player to take the field!

[On Gold Star Mothers Day [honoring mothers of soldiers killed in action, the Pittsburgh Steelers remained in their locker room, with only one player on the field, saluting, and singing the National Anthem; that would be the only player on the team to have served in the Military, with three tours in Afghanistan and a Bronze Star]

“During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking.

"The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition.".

"...It should be pointed out to players and coaches that they continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.”

Now, we all enjoy a good game of football.
However, in recent years, the leadership of the NFL seems to have promoted the idea that NFL players are above the law, and that criminal records are meaningless in recruitment programs and keeping players on the field.

Although the list of players and records is incomplete, it's significant to note that the NFL Record shows 869 Arrests for a range of offenses including drugs, domestic violence, assault, battery, weapons, DUI, Hit&Run, reckless driving, etc.   Virtually every case was finished with "Resolution Undetermined, Case Dropped, two days in jail, or, home detention [except during games].

Although there are many fine professional football players, it seems that there is a significant element adhering to the illusion that they need not pay attention to Rules, or the Law.

We wonder if the NFL has become a breeding ground, or a haven for criminals.




Perhaps it's time to replace Roger Goodell as NFL Commissioner and replace him with an executive more in tune with the fabric of America.

These are the current sponsors of the NFL 
Feel free to alert them of your feelings for the NFL's promotion of anti-American conduct by the NFL team players. 

Anheuser-Busch 

Barclaycard US 

Bose Bridgestone [Tires] 

 Campbell's Soup 

Castrol Courtyard 

Marriott Dairy Management, Inc [Fuel UP to Play 60] 

Dannon [Yogurt 

Extreme Networks 

FedEx 

Frito-Lay 

Gatorade H

Hyundai Motor America 

 Mars Snackfood [Candybars] 

Microsoft Nationwide [Insurance] 

News America 

 Papa John's [Pizza] 

 Pepsi 

Procter & Gamble 

Quaker [Cereal] 

Verizon 

Visa 

USAA [Military insurance and banking]

West Slams Kaepernick

West chastises Kaepernick

This is another in our series of Guest Posts 

which we publish based on the 

significance and clarity of content

This open letter from Allen West to Colin Kaepernick references Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the US National Anthem played at the football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers.  In partial defense of Mr Kaepernick, we recall the stage was set by Michelle Obama in 2011 when she commented to Barack at a flag ceremony: 

"All this for a damn flag?"

--------

If there’s one thing I live for, it’s football season, especially college. 

Saturday night I was enjoying a fantastic game between Charleston Southern University and North Dakota State University. The game went into overtime and ended with the Bison of NDSU winning 24-17.  However, as I watched this thrilling game, it was an item on the ESPN news ticker that disturbed me — to which I see a need to respond to this “teachable moment.”

As we reported yesterday, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem in Friday’s pre-season game against Green Bay because he was protesting “black oppression” in the United States. The Niners went on to lose.

The NFL issued a statement that said players are encouraged but not required to stand for the national anthem. 

Hmm, this is the same NFL that refused to allow the Dallas Cowboys to wear a helmet decal in honor of the fallen Dallas Police officers gunned down on Thursday, 7 July 2016.

This is the same NFL that said nothing when players from the St. Louis Cardinals displayed the false narrative symbol of “hands up, don't shoot” — which we know didn’t happen. 

I find it rather interesting that the NFL has no issue disrespecting law enforcement officers but only “encourages” players to respect the symbol of our nation, the American flag, and our anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.

However, I would recommend a simple scripture from the wise King Solomon for Mr Kaepernick, Proverbs 17:28 (NIV): 

“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

Or, as the old folks down South would say, 

“...best for a stupid person to keep their mouth shut and not open it and let everyone know they are.”

Mr Kaepernick, a biracial young man adopted and raised by white parents, claims America is oppressing blacks at a time when we have a Black, biracial president who was twice elected. 

We’ve had two black US Attorneys General and currently have a Black Secretary of Homeland Security, along with a Black national security advisor. 

Here in Dallas our police chief, whom I know, is an outstanding Black leader. The officer in Milwaukee who shot the armed assailant after issuing an order to drop his weapon was Black. 

Is Mr. Kaepernick following suit and cherry-picking what he terms “oppression?”

Oppressed Kaepernick's House

First of all, let me clarify to you sir, you are a multi-millionaire “one-percenter” just because you can throw a ball and kiss your biceps. 

Men like Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Oscar Robertson, Ernie Davis, and Bernard King and Condredge Halloway of my alma mater were athletes who knew of oppression. 

You, sir, may certainly have the right to sit upon your “fourth point of contact” when the National Anthem is played but never forget, you live in a nation that has provided you the privilege to have that right.

My story is one I wish to share. 

My dad was a corporal in the U.S. Army and served during World War II. He was born in 1920 and knew oppression. Yet, when he sat me down on the steps of our home, 651 Kennesaw Ave NE in Atlanta, he shared with me that there was no greater honor or privilege, than to wear the uniform of these United States. Perhaps that is why his first and middle sons, along with his grandson, are all US combat veterans, just like Dad. 

Herman West Sr. was not a victim, and he raised men who would never allow anyone to suppress or oppress them. Perhaps you should stop trying to make victims and admonish people, black people, to be victors — try it, and you may find that more satisfying than your insidious action and word vomiting.

If you want to know about oppression of blacks in America, past and present, I suggest you ask UD Representative Nancy Pelosi of the San Francisco Bay Area about the policies that decimated the black family? 

Maybe you can cross the Bay over to Oakland and ask US Representative Barbara Lee about the 13 to 15 million black babies killed since 1973, and ask her who is Margaret Sanger?

Or perhaps you can ask the two California senators, Boxer and Feinstein, about who doesn’t support better education opportunities for black children in the inner cities — school choice, vouchers, charter schools, home schooling.

Perhaps you didn’t know Barack Obama was the one who cancelled the DC School Voucher Program for deserving young Black children — talk about oppression. Is that something you’re willing to do, or is it just too difficult?

You should look at who’s been controlling the communities and cities where Blacks live. This isn’t not about what America has done; it’s about what a certain group, a political party has done. 

And your somewhat backhanded comment towards our law enforcement officers — well, I wonder how many times San Francisco PD has protected you?

Here is the deal young man. 

My recommendation is that you apologize. Be a stand up fella and admit you made a very stupid comment. Humbly state that you do realize how very special this country is and the opportunities it has afforded you — and many others. 

You should take that stand and apologize to all of those who are currently serving in our Armed Forces and those veterans who’ve been willing to make that last full measure of devotion. 

You see, when the National Anthem is played, it has a very special meaning to us — maybe you should take a hiatus and go over to Helmand Province in Afghanistan and spend a week and understand why. Go over and throw a football with the men and women who enable you to earn those millions of dollars.

The American Flag has a very touching meaning for those of us for whom it will drape our coffin — as it was for my Dad…and it will be for me. 

That song defines who we are as a proud and exceptional people. This is a land where so many dream of coming to and earning the title of American. Your actions were shameful, disgusting, despicable and disrespectful.

You do have a right and a freedom of expression. But know, there are consequences to your ignorant action, which is what it was.

When the National Anthem is played, I salute because I am a Black man, born and raised in the inner city afforded the opportunity for greatness in my own right. 

May you seek God’s forgiveness and find humility, because we, the people are not going to forget what you did and said.

signed

Allen B West

Lieutenant Colonel [Ret]

US Army

Editorial Note:

West's Military decorations include

Bronze Star

Meritorious Service Medal [3]

Army Commendation Medal [3+Valor]

Army Achievement Medal [2]

Valorous Unit Award

Air Assault Badge

Master Parachutist Badge

West was a US Congressman in Florida 2011 - 2013]; he was defeated when Democrats changed the districts; notably, the margin by which he was defeated came from St Lucie County in which 799 votes went missing, while thousands of Military Absentee Ballots were not counted.  The Florida Attorney General chose not to indict the St Lucie County Supervisor of Elections, Gertrude Walker, even though she admitted to "irregularities [e.g., 'discovery of uncounted ballots']" in both the election vote count and the subsequent recount.