National Football League (NFL) players engendered massive controversy this past weekend when they chose to kneel and remain in locker rooms instead of standing for the National Anthem, as reported by CNN. This flagrant disrespect for America and the people who sacrificed, fought, and died to secure our freedoms was heavily and rightfully censured. The people of this nation took to social media, tweeting out their disapproval and announcing their decisions to boycott the NFL so long as they permit players to kneel during the National Anthem. Other people even uploaded videos of themselves burning NFL gear, while President Trump himself tweeted out his displeasure with the horrific conduct of football players who earn millions because of the country they live in.
First and foremost, NFL players’ decision to kneel during the National Anthem is an utter disgrace and blatant slap in the face to America. According to the players, the kneeling was done to protest President Trump and racism, which is quite interesting. The supposed aforementioned racism has not stopped NFL players from making millions of dollars annually. If they truly believe racism is an American plight, there are other ways to express this besides kneeling during the National Anthem or staying in locker rooms.
As a matter of fact, if NFL players are so inclined to protest racism by refusing to stand for the National Anthem, perhaps they should forfeit their paychecks as a means of protesting income inequality. However, hell will freeze over before these athletes give up the funds awarded to them because of the country they apparently loathe so much. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.
President Trump was arguably one of the most outspoken critics of the kneeling NFL players. Over the weekend, he posted a series of tweets, which read as follows:
Many of the President’s greatest critics seized this opportunity to twist his words and imply that President Trump’s condemnation stemmed from racism. He then tweeted this:
Whenever things are not going the way Democrats want them to, they throw tantrums and scream racism, hoping that it’ll stick if they repeat it often enough. The truth of the matter is that too many people have laid down their lives for the freedoms of this nation. The least NFL players can do is show the slightest bit of gratitude by standing with one hand over their heart and paying tribute to the sacrifices which allowed them to get to where they are today.
Unfortunately, there are some people in this country who support NFL players kneeling and remaining in locker rooms during the National Anthem. Their argument is that everyone has the right to peacefully protest and be heard. These people are nothing more than utter hypocrites. People who support the egregious conduct of the NFL completely turn a blind eye to Antifa, who trample on the rights of countless people without a second thought. Technically, NFL players do have a “right” to kneel, but this “right” does not absolve them of consequences. As President Trump stated, the NFL should fire these players and Americans should boycott the network, as many people have already claimed they will.
Condemnation of kneeling and remaining in locker rooms during the National Anthem ought to be bipartisan, but unfortunately, it is not. Mainstream Democrats have yet to come out and condemn the conduct of these players. Perhaps when the Left loses elections in 2018 and 2020, they will then understand that identity politics and hatred for America will not prevail or win them votes. It is unfortunate that we as a nation have come to this. The American flag and the National Anthem should be the great equalizer among the people of this nation, but sadly, we are not there yet.
