Quote:
Originally Posted by kane
I agree with a lot of what you have said and I have similar, but slightly different thoughts on some of the other points, but I wanted to talk about #2. Yes, they are at work and they are breaking the rules. The reason they haven't been punished is because they are in a position of power. If a guy flipping burgers at McDonald's were to protest, he would likely get fired. It's easy to find someone to flip burgers. It's very difficult to find someone to play football at the NFL level.
To me, this is just the free market at work. The teams are being punished as ratings are down (although I think some of that has to do with the fact that they keep airing shitty games), but the players hold a position of power and the owners know without them they have nothing so while some of them may not be happy about it, there isn't much they can do about it without damaging the team even more.
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This makes tons of sense and actually gives me an idea for the way out for NFL owners and players.
It's against the rules not to stand during the anthem already. THe way out is to fine players that do not stand during the anthem. Start a fund, say an educational fund to help train cops, maybe the fund can do background checks on cops or something to do with police brutality. Make the fine LARGE, like half the paycheck or the full game's pay...something significant. Players that choose to kneel will be putting their money where there mouth is and actually contributing to the problem. The owners will look better that they are enforcing the patriotic rules, but allowing the players to use their platform for change that means something and a serious problem.
As of now, most people see these guys earning a couple hundred thousand per game as a bunch of spoiled wife beater and roid heads. But if a fan realizes that the player is basically playing for free to make a statement, then I imagine most fans would be ok with that type of protest. If this were to happen, how long would these protest be in the news?