So, Trump...and Pro Sports

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by DAB

this wasn't invented by Trump.

Originally Posted by Iron Chef

There hasn't been a single piece of legislation in the past 50 years that has done anything but work to the advantage of minorities.

[DAB]

remember, rules are very important....except when they are not.

https://news.grabien.com/story-roger...etting-players

[Will]

Week 3 Sunday Night Football ratings down 9% from Week 2, down 11% from Week 3 2016.

[Stangkiller]

Originally Posted by Will

Week 3 Sunday Night Football ratings down 9% from Week 2, down 11% from Week 3 2016.

One of the biggest advantages to the Roman Gladiators or the current NFL is it’s ability to unify the country to support “their” teams, yes this drives friendly competition but it’s there to help heal the community after such a divisive election cycle. Politicizing the NFL just takes away that benefit and causes at least me to move on to other distractions. No surprise the NFL is pissing off their fam base. Let’s not forget ESPN and NBC tying political issues to the game as well, anybody remember Bob Costas anti gun rants? I still remember and I’m still pissed.

[Iron Chef]

Originally Posted by Stangkiller

One of the biggest advantages to the Roman Gladiators or the current NFL is it’s ability to unify the country to support “their” teams, yes this drives friendly competition but it’s there to help heal the community after such a divisive election cycle. Politicizing the NFL just takes away that benefit and causes at least me to move on to other distractions. No surprise the NFL is pissing off their fam base. Let’s not forget ESPN and NBC tying political issues to the game as well, anybody remember Bob Costas anti gun rants? I still remember and I’m still pissed.

Apparently, the NFL is forgetting that their fan base demographic are middle-aged white men. The only thing that is keeping this from completely backfiring is the fact that a good percentage of those middle-aged white men are as dumb as a box of rocks and are so one-dimensional that for them, football is nearly (or is) the single most important aspect of their lives.

Still...this does not bode well for the NFL. Kapernick is STILL unemployed.

[Cybercowboy]

[DAB]

a man more right than his neighbors constitutes a majority of one:

NFL national anthem flap sees Steelers coach Mike Tomlin rap Alejandro Villanueva | Fox News

sales of his jersey have gone thru the roof.

another take:

Pittsburgh Steelers' player Alejandro Villanueva is a hero among cowards | Fox News

[Cybercowboy]

Originally Posted by TxAg

Did Obama put race relations back decades with his divisional politics and rhetoric? Yes.

Is Trump spewing crap on Twitter making things better? No.

Two wrongs aren't going to make the situation right.

Do people want to work to fix the problem or do they want revenge.

These days, I see more and more people just wanting a form of revenge on the "other guys" for feeling wronged.

Nah, the NFL decided to go political, that's all it is. Last year they wouldn't let the Cowboys wear a sticker on their helmets commemorating the five Dallas police officers murdered at a BLM event. Because it was "too political." They forced Tebow out of the league because of his kneeling. Because it was too "religious." They didn't let players wear patriotic cleats to commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Because that was too "divisive." So they are allowing this, because it's somehow not political and divisive and hugely disrespectful - somehow. They did this all by themselves. Trump calling them out on it is nothing more and nothing less than echoing what tens of millions of Americans were already thinking. The shitstorm that is going to hit the NFL will be something never seen before. Watch.

To make it even more stupid, CK only started kneeling last year in preseason because he was afraid he was going to be cut from the Niners. He would have taken a financial hit. So he figured if he started doing this, management would be scared to fire him lest it look like they did it for political reasons. That's it in a nutshell. Then he came up with the "muh police killing our people" thing as an excuse.

People may want to note that I cancelled NFL Sunday Ticket last month, long before Trump said anything. I saw what was coming and wanted to vote with my wallet. It has nothing to do with Trump, at all. If anything he's a bit late to the party.

[Aerovette]

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture. There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we've experienced over the last month. Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.

Atlanta Falcons

Owner Arthur Blank

We are at our very best when we are working together, building unity and including everyone's voice in a constructive dialogue. Creating division or demonizing viewpoints that are different than our own accomplishes nothing positive and undermines our collective ability to achieve the ideals of our democracy.

Baltimore Ravens

Owner Steve Bisciotti

We recognize our players' influence. We respect their demonstration and support them 100 percent. All voices need to be heard. That's democracy in its highest form.

Buffalo Bills

Owners Terry and Kim Pegula

President Trump's remarks were divisive and disrespectful to the entire NFL community, but we tried to use them as an opportunity to further unify our team and our organization. Our players have the freedom to express themselves in a respectful and thoughtful manner and we all agreed that our sole message is to provide and to promote an environment that is focused on love and equality.

Chicago Bears

Chairman George McCaskey

What makes this the the greatest country in the world are the liberties it was founded upon and the freedom to express oneself in a respectful and peaceful manner. Through important dialogue with our players and team, this divisive political situation has unified our franchise for the present and the future.

Cleveland Browns

Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam

We must not let misguided, uninformed and divisive comments from the president or anyone else deter us from our efforts to unify. Our stance in support of the liberties of peaceful, personal expression afforded to our players and all Americans will remain strong, and we will continue to encourage our players to respectfully use their earned platform to inspire positive change in our nation and throughout society.

Denver Broncos

Chairman and CEO Joe Ellis

Our players have shown a tremendous commitment to raising awareness for important societal issues by using their platform in a positive way ... As an organization, we could not be more proud, appreciative and grateful for our players. We'll continue to support them and work together to advocate for values of respect, diversity and inclusion.

Detroit Lions

Owner and chairwoman Martha Firestone Ford

Our game has long provided a powerful platform for dialogue and positive change in many communities throughout our nation. Thanks primarily to our players, the NFL also has been a unifying force in our country and impactful change has and hopefully will continue to be the result of peaceful expression, done so in order to highlight social injustices of all kind. Negative and disrespectful comments suggesting otherwise are contrary to the founding principles of our country, and we do not support those comments or opinions.

Green Bay Packers

President and CEO Mark Murphy

It's unfortunate that the president decided to use his immense platform to make divisive and offensive statements about our players and the NFL. We strongly believe that players are leaders in our communities and positive influences ... We believe it is important to support any of our players who choose to peacefully express themselves with the hope of change for good. As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely.

Houston Texans

Founder, chairman and CEO Robert McNair

The comments made by the president were divisive and counterproductive to what our country needs right now. I hope the reaction from our players results in positive action for our league, our communities and our country as a whole to make a positive difference in our society,

Indianapolis Colts

Owner Jim Irsay

I am troubled by the president's recent comments about our league and our players. Sports in America have the unique ability to bring people from all walks of life and from different points of view together to work toward or root for a common goal, and the Indianapolis Colts are proud to be a part of that tradition in our home city and state.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Owner Shad Khan

It was a privilege to stand on the sidelines with the Jacksonville Jaguars today for the playing of the U.S. national anthem at Wembley Stadium. I met with our team captains prior to the game to express my support for them, all NFL players and the league following the divisive and contentious remarks made by President Trump, and was honored to be arm in arm with them, their teammates and our coaches during our anthem ... We have a lot of work to do, and we can do it, but the comments by the president make it harder. That's why it was important for us, and personally for me, to show the world that even if we may differ at times, we can and should be united in the effort to become better as people and a nation.

Kansas City Chiefs

Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt

I believe in honoring the American flag and supporting all of those whose sacrifices protect the many freedoms we have in this country, including the right to have differences of opinion. Sports have long been a unifying force -- especially in challenging times -- and hatred and division have no place in our game.

Los Angeles Chargers

Chairman Dean Spanos

I wholeheartedly agree with the commissioner's statement. The NFL and its players, more than anything, have been a force for good. What our country needs right now is a message of unity, civility and mutual respect.

Los Angeles Rams

Owner and Chairman Stan Kroenke

We believe in the tenets of the national anthem, which is a pillar of this country; just as freedom of speech is another pillar and a constitutional right. We will continue to support our players' freedom to peacefully express themselves and the meaningful efforts they make to bring about positive change in our country.

Miami Dolphins

Owner Stephen Ross

Our country needs unifying leadership right now, not more divisiveness. We need to seek to understand each other and have civil discourse instead of condemnation and sound bites. I know our players who kneeled for the anthem and these are smart young men of character who want to make our world a better place for everyone. They wanted to start a conversation and are making a difference in our community, including working with law enforcement to bring people together. We all can benefit from learning, listening and respecting each other.

Minnesota Vikings

Owners Zygi and Mark Wilf

As owners, it is our job to foster an environment that recognizes and appreciates diversity of thought and encourages using this platform in a constructive manner. Rather than make divisive statements, we believe in promoting thoughtful, inspiring conversation that unifies our communities. We are proud of our players, coaches and staff for the important role they play in our community, and we fully support their constitutional right to respectfully and peacefully express their beliefs.

New England Patriots

Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft

I am deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the president on Friday. ... There is no greater unifier in this country than sports, and unfortunately, nothing more divisive than politics. I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal. Our players are intelligent, thoughtful and care deeply about our community and I support their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful.

New Orleans Saints

This statement was released jointly with the Pelicans, the city's NBA team.

Our organization takes great pride in equality and inclusion and find the comments by the President disappointing and inappropriate relative to our players on this issue. ... Our players and our organization serve the New Orleans community selflessly and do so without care of race, creed or sexual orientation and that makes us a better city and a better team. We believe strongly in honoring our flag and the national anthem and what it represents and we support our players. We all must strive to show that we are all Americans and continue to work towards equality for all.

New York Giants

Owners John Mara and Steve Tisch

Comments like we heard last night from the president are inappropriate, offensive and divisive. We are proud of our players, the vast majority of whom use their NFL platform to make a positive difference in our society.

New York Jets

Chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson

It was an honor and a privilege to stand arm-in-arm unified with our players during today's national anthem. We are very proud of our players and their strong commitment to work in our community to make a positive, constructive, and unifying impact.

Philadelphia Eagles

Owner, chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie

The best of us lend our compassion and determination to the aid of others. Every day I see the genuine dedication and hard work of our players. And I support them as they take their courage, character and commitment into our communities to make them better or to call attention to injustice. Having spoken with our players, I can attest to the great respect they have for the national anthem and all it represents. We at the Philadelphia Eagles firmly believe that in this difficult time of division and conflict, it is more important than ever for football to be a great unifier.

Pittsburgh Steelers

President Art Rooney

Our players have stayed unified and have respected the fact that, like our country, there are diverse opinions in our locker room. It is a difficult time in our country. I hope that eventually we will come together as a nation to respect the diverse opinions that exist and work together to make our communities better for all our citizens.

Tennessee Titans

Owner Amy Adams Strunk

I am proud to stand with our players and support them in their work on and off the football field. I completely agree with Commissioner Goodell that we are better off as a nation when we are unified and pulling together. ... Our players make public contributions day-in and day-out and when I hear anyone making disparaging remarks about them, I know it has to be the result of not knowing what they bring to our communities or what they have accomplished.

San Francisco 49ers

CEO Jed York

The callous and offensive comments made by the president are contradictory to what this great country stands for. Our players have exercised their rights as United States citizens in order to spark conversation and action to address social injustice. We will continue to support them in their peaceful pursuit of positive change in our country and around the world.

Seattle Seahawks

President Peter McLoughlin

We fully support our players' use of their freedom of speech and peaceful action to highlight the existing racial and other divides in our country. Our players completely respect the military and veterans of our country; however they believe these issues need to come to the forefront.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Co-Chairman Joel Glazer

The Buccaneers recognize every individual's constitutional right to freedom of speech, which is crucial to the American way of life that we cherish. We are equally committed to the principles of inclusivity and respect differing points of view that should be afforded to all Americans.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins issued the following unsigned statement:

Football has always served as the great unifier, bringing people together to celebrate the values of courage, commitment and achievement. We are proud of the players, coaches and fans of the Washington Redskins for all that they have done to improve the lives of others in neighborhoods all across our region. We are also grateful for the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of our armed forces that have provided us the freedom to play football. In that great tradition, the Washington Redskins will work to address divisions and bring unity, civility and respect to our greater community.

[Cybercowboy]

To that big wall of text, I say "Nice try, won't work. You done played yourselves boys."

[DAB]

sadly, most tickets are sold on a season ticket basis, so you won't see scads of unsold tickets in the coming weeks. they have already been sold. and the buyers are now faced with a "sunk cost" decision. they have already laid out good money for their tickets. the game will happen whether they go or not. the value of the ticket is the right to sit in that seat during the game. once the game is over, the ticket has zero value. so do you go and incur more expenses (parking, travel, food, memorabilia, etc), or do you stay home, either watch it on TV as an empty seat protest, or stay home and do something else (TV ratings matter). and do you further avoid the various sponsors with pointed letters sent to them?

the NFL is drowning in money, but they have a severe lack of leadership at the top and are running out of character.

i'd wager that more NFL ticket holders voted for Trump than Hillary. you saw the reaction at the Friday rally to Trump's take on this. his voters are in support of his position.

and.... who has explained what these "protests" are about? no one to my mind? so what is the point? just standing with Kapernick? he needs a job.

[Jeff '79]

The media is always looking for ratings so they blow this thing up.
Put the camera on the flag during the National Anthem ... Not on the players. Then they can kneel, hold hands, plook each other, or whatever.
Then no one will see it on TV and it will go away.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by DAB

sadly, most tickets are sold on a season ticket basis, so you won't see scads of unsold tickets in the coming weeks. they have already been sold. and the buyers are now faced with a "sunk cost" decision. they have already laid out good money for their tickets. the game will happen whether they go or not. the value of the ticket is the right to sit in that seat during the game. once the game is over, the ticket has zero value. so do you go and incur more expenses (parking, travel, food, memorabilia, etc), or do you stay home, either watch it on TV as an empty seat protest, or stay home and do something else (TV ratings matter). and do you further avoid the various sponsors with pointed letters sent to them?

the NFL is drowning in money, but they have a severe lack of leadership at the top and are running out of character.

i'd wager that more NFL ticket holders voted for Trump than Hillary. you saw the reaction at the Friday rally to Trump's take on this. his voters are in support of his position.

and.... who has explained what these "protests" are about? no one to my mind? so what is the point? just standing with Kapernick? he needs a job.

I would be happy to take liberal money for my conservative owned tickets if I had them.

[Cybercowboy]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

The media is always looking for ratings so they blow this thing up.
Put the camera on the flag during the National Anthem ... Not on the players. Then they can kneel, hold hands, plook each other, or whatever.
Then no one will see it on TV and it will go away.

In this age of social media? Nope.

[Cybercowboy]

Originally Posted by DAB

sadly, most tickets are sold on a season ticket basis, so you won't see scads of unsold tickets in the coming weeks. they have already been sold. and the buyers are now faced with a "sunk cost" decision. they have already laid out good money for their tickets. the game will happen whether they go or not. the value of the ticket is the right to sit in that seat during the game. once the game is over, the ticket has zero value.

[Cybercowboy]

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

[Mike Mercury]

Baltimore Ravens

Owner Steve Bisciotti

We recognize our players' influence. We respect their demonstration and support them 100 percent. All voices need to be heard. That's democracy in its highest form.

you were never allowed to bring your personal politics into work, and display them while on the clock.

Again, those kneeling could instead send an editorial letter to their local newspaper, or call a news conference at their homes front porch, or go to town square and give a speech.

NOTHING is stopping them from doing this.

[DAB]

Originally Posted by Cybercowboy

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

i got a speeding ticket about 17 years ago.

rebel here.

reminds me of the old Marlon Brando line:

he's asked "what are you rebelling against?"

he replies, "what do you got?"

The Wild One, 1953, What have you got? - YouTube

seems like a replay of this. protesting for the sake of fitting in with the 'cool' crowd (other players). and the parents/owners just stand by wondering what the kids are doing, only concerned about the money flow.

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by Cybercowboy

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

The offense that is most odd is "outstanding warrant".
How TF are you even on the team with outstanding warrants? It's very easy to check on this with the internet nowadays.

[Jeff '79]