An NFL boycott is looming

[Robert]

So you kneel during "happy birthday" for a 5 year old?

Interesting.

Even for the resident champion of idiotic non-sequiturs, this is utterly magnificent.

 

[redrumloa]

Even for the resident champion of idiotic non-sequiturs, this is utterly magnificent.

...and you are keeping those old stereotypes alive about people on that side of the pond not having any humor.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

This isn't NFL.
It's a response to NFL called XFL which has "nothing to do with politics, absolutely nothing, and nothing to do with social issues either. We're there to play football."

Right. So in XFL there would be no political protests, in theory. That is a contrast to the NFL where political protest is being allowed. Taking the knee is political, it is expressly political, it has been tied to political issues by the people who do it by their direct and explicit statements. The gesture is being used specifically because it breaks with tradition which makes it deliberately provocative and divisive. That's my point.
What your point is, with that last comment, I'm not sure. It's not much of a gotcha (NFL isn't XFL) if that's what you were going for so I have to think that you were going for some other point that I have completely missed.

 

[Robert]

...and you are keeping those old stereotypes alive about people on that side of the pond not having any humor.

That's true but only because on this side of the pond it's called humour.

 

[Robert]

What your point is, with that last comment, I'm not sure.

My point is the same as it always was: the claim that forcing people to stand for a national anthem has nothing to do with politics is false.
The organiser of a completely new football event claims it has "nothing to do with politics" when it clearly does and that they're only there to play football when they clearly are also there to stand for the national anthem. If they really were there just to play football, there would be no anthem. (Yes, that could be political too. I attend football matches just about every week where no one is forced to stand for anything and even then I wouldn't claim they have *nothing* to do with politics.)

Taking the knee is political

Of course it is but national anthems themselves are political devices. Before starting this discussion I thought this was self-evident. Apparently not.

That's my point.

If your point was anything other than "forcing people to stand for a national anthem has nothing to do with politics" then you missed mine.

I have no problem with them having their little tub-thumping ceremony. That's their business.
I also have no problem with the organiser lying that it has nothing to do with politics but it's still a lie; forcing people to stand for the national anthem is inherently political, regardless of whether it's ritualistic or not.
And it's a rather blatant lie which struck me as blindingly obvious and a not a little absurd.
On the other hand your spirited and somewhat curious defence of it suggests it's not as obvious nor as absurd as I thought.

 

[redrumloa]

NFL Includes Convicted Murderer Aaron Hernandez in Pre-Super Bowl ‘In Memoriam’ Video

As part of its pre-game festivities, the NFL treated fans to a video in memory of those players who passed away in 2017. Perhaps shockingly, that video included convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez.

As the videoboard flashed photos of those players who died last year, Hernandez was one of the featured players, according to several shocked reporters at U.S. Bank Stadium, For The Win reported.

Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murder in 2015. He was also being prosecuted for another murder case when he committed suicide in prison in 2017.

The inclusion of Hernandez surprised many reporters.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/960269875892703234

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/960269409897115648

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/960290673122476032

 

[redrumloa]

I'm not a fan of either team at all here. I'm just posting to show how ridiculous the officiating has become. One was ruled a catch upon review, the other wasn't. Both season critical calls. How bad officiating has been is fueling the speculation that the game is rigged. I've seen more ridiculous calls this year than probably ever.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1996861903864192

 

[redrumloa]

49ers first-rounder Reuben Foster arrested, accused of dragging his girlfriend

Forty-Niners linebacker Reuben Foster has been arrested for the second time in less than a month after an incident on Sunday in California.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Foster was taken into custody in Santa Clara County on allegations related to domestic violence. According to the San Jose Mercury News, Foster has also been accused of possessing an assault rifle. The Mercury News has also reported that the domestic violence allegation came after Foster's girlfriend accused him of dragging her during an argument between the two.

The 49ers linebacker spent part of his Sunday in jail, before being released on a $75,000 bail, according to jail records. Prosecutors now have up to 30 days to decide whether or not to charge Foster. The charges could end up being misdemeanors or felonies, depending on how serious the prosecutor's office views the allegations.

"The San Francisco 49ers organization is aware of the report regarding Reuben Foster. We take matters of this nature seriously and are gathering all pertinent information," the team said in a statement.

 

[redrumloa]

After 2+ years of doing everything in their power to ruin their own business, it seems panic damage control is finally kicking in.

Michael Bennett Trade Rumors: Seahawks Seeking Deal to Make Team 'Quieter'

He's one of the most vocal kneelers and also the guy busted for completely fabricating a story about police brutality. Casino surveillance video proved him to be a total liar. As a bonus, he's one of the guys who celebrates sacking white QBs by holding up a Black Power fist.


Dolphins, Texans Not Interested In Anthem Kneelers

According to Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle, a couple of agents told him that the Houston Texans were not interested in signing free agents that would kneel during the anthem.

Texans owner Bob McNair has been no stranger to expressing his opinion on the issue. At the owners meeting back in October, he said that, “we can’t have the inmates running the prison.”

 

[redrumloa]

With the very real likelihood of not collecting a fat NFL paycheck looming over his head, it seems San Francisco's Eric Reid has decided that the struggle has become a bit too real.

What a total fraud and phony!

Eric Reid Says He Will Not Protest the National Anthem in 2018

 

[redrumloa]

Liars will lie to promote their false narrative. Sucks for them most cops have body cams now and their are cameras in public almost everywhere. If the NFL had an ounce of dignity, they would suspend this {bleep} scumbag for 8 games without pay, minimum. But we know they don't, just like the fake "hands up don't shoot" they will keep claiming he was profiled the threatened to have his head blown off.

Police release body cam of Michael Bennett incident

The body cam of the police officer who apprehended Mr. Bennett, told a different story, which according to the President of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, amounts to defamation against the department:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/913903978341056512

And a bit more on the whole picture. Note that the three officers who were concerned about Bennett’s behavior after they thought shots were fired were Hispanic and black.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/913961621793288192

If you had any lingering doubt about the character of anthem kneelers...

Michael Bennett Indicted on Injury of the Elderly Charge; Arrest Warrant Issued

A warrant has been issued for Bennett's arrest. If convicted, Bennett could face a $10,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison, with prosecutors seeking to prove that Bennett "intentionally and knowingly" caused "bodily injury to a person 65 years or older."

Houston PD said Bennett caused the woman to sprain her shoulder, per Liz Mathews of USA Today. The department also said Bennett told a police officer to "f--k off" before proceeding onto the football field.

Houston police chief Art Acevedo spoke about the charges facing Bennett, per Mark Berman of Fox 26:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/977269234362351616

Assaulting an elderly paraplegic? Yup, that's the violent, spoiled lying losers that the NFL expects fans to pay to watch. Good luck with that.

 

[redrumloa]

I don't know who they think they are appealing to here, but it isn't a vast majority of NFL fans.

Los Angeles Rams Make History with Dancing Male Cheerleaders

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[redrumloa]

The boycott finally got the leagues attention. I guess the prospect of becoming insolvent finally woke them up.

NFL Passes Rule Fining Teams If They Do Not 'Show Respect' for Flag, Anthem

 

[Robert]

NFL Passes Rule Fining Teams If They Do Not 'Show Respect' for Flag, Anthem

Because enforcing respect is the best way to generate respect.

 

[ilwrath]

Because enforcing respect is the best way to generate respect.

Mandatory and enforced respect is the sincerest respect. That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it, and it's worked out pretty well so far.

 

[redrumloa]

Mandatory and enforced respect is the sincerest respect. That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it, and it's worked out pretty well so far.

So you don't believe companies should be allowed to enforce a code of ethics? People seem to ignore the fact that NFL players are employees and the NFL is a business. Let's say you are have a meeting with a potential client, one that could make or break your company. When that client is brought into the conference room and goes to shake your sales manager's hand, that sales manager refuses to shake the potential client's and instead calls his mother a whore.

Would you fire that sales manager? Or do you think he has the constitutional right not to follow customary tradition of hand shaking and should be allowed to put you out of business?

 

[ilwrath]

So you don't believe companies should be allowed to enforce a code of ethics? People seem to ignore the fact that NFL players are employees and the NFL is a business. Let's say you are have a meeting with a potential client, one that could make or break your company. When that client is brought into the conference room and goes to shake your sales manager's hand, that sales manager refuses to shake the potential client's and instead calls his mother a whore.

Would you fire that sales manager? Or do you think he has the constitutional right not to follow customary tradition of hand shaking and should be allowed to put you out of business?

Heh, I never said anything of the like. And, in fact, if teams wanted to "fire" the "employees" that disrespected the anthem, they already could release the player(s) in question. They can cut and release any player(s) for any reason(s) they want. Heck, they could even try to void the contract(s) based on the rider about the player(s) not representing the team values and causing financial damage to the team. Personally, I'd love to see a team try it! It would be fascinating to watch unfold. It might even open a genuine discussion about values and respect.

But the owners don't want any part of that role. That is way too risky. They'll take a stand for profits, but not principal. So they pass the buck, and watered down garbage like this is what you get.

 

[redrumloa]

Heck, they could even try to void the contract(s) based on the rider about the player(s) not representing the team values and causing financial damage to the team. Personally, I'd love to see a team try it! It would be fascinating to watch unfold. It might even open a genuine discussion about values and respect.

Well the NFL League office and all 32 teams to one extent or another have handled everything very poorly. No one on any side of the argument sees differently. They've flip-flopped more times than I can count. They seem to be defaulting to just not resigning players when their contracts expire. It's not just Colin Kaepernick.

Eric Reid says he isn't being signed because NFL owners disliked his protests

The narrative from that side is that the league is colluding against them. The reality is while teams don't have the spine to cut players causing a distraction and loss of revenue, they now won't sign players they know will cause that problem. There is no collusion, just teams that are looking for players who can make plays, not players who want to virtue signal and drive away fans (revenue). Early on the NFL should have taken a hard-line stance. That's what the NBA did and no one is talking about them at all.

 

[redrumloa]

Kellen Winslow II Arrested On Multiple Rape, Attempted Rape, and Kidnapping Charges

Winslow was arraigned on eight felony counts and one misdemeanor on Friday afternoon and is currently held without bail. He could face life in prison with a worst-case outcome.

According to the complaint the charges include:

• Kidnap, rape and forced oral copulation of a 54-year-old woman in March;
• Kidnap, rape and sodomy of a 59-year-old woman in May;
• Indecent exposure in May;
• Burglary with the intent to rape a 71-year-old woman in June;
• Burglary with the intent to rape an 86-year-old woman also in June.

 

[redrumloa]

I've not kept up much in this thread, but the NFL has a serious, serious problem with players this off season. Even far left wing SJW Bleacher Report is reporting such.

NFL Can't Escape Unusually Chaotic Offseason

This week, it was reported that the Jaguars' Marcell Dareus was accused in a lawsuit of sexual assault and exposing a woman to a sexually transmitted disease. On Thursday, Greg Auman of TampaBay.com reported that Dareus is the subject of a second lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault.

Dareus is far from alone when it comes to ugly NFL news. Bills running back LeSean McCoy was accused earlier this week in an Instagram post of beating his girlfriend, his son and his dog. McCoy has hired the same defense attorney who once represented Ray Lewis, accused of murder in 2000, and Ben Roethlisberger, accused of rape twice.

--

Cardinals general manager Steve Keim was cited on suspicion of DUI on July 4. Keim was previously convicted of DUI in 1996.

---

Kellen Winslow II, the son of the legendary tight end, has been attempting an NFL comeback and played in the Spring League in 2017.

But in June, he was arrested and accused of multiple terrible crimes, including, according to Teri Figueroa of the San Diego Union-Tribune: kidnap and rape of a 54-year-old woman in March; kidnap and rape of a 59-year-old woman in May; indecent exposure in May (the victim was a 58-year-old woman); burglary with the intent to rape a 71-year-old woman in June; and burglary with the intent to rape an 86-year-old woman in June.

As news emerged that several victims could not identify Winslow at a preliminary hearing this week, so, too, did a report that Winslow was arraigned on Thursday on yet another rape charge, this of a 17-year-old girl in 2003, according to Jason Owens of Yahoo Sports.

This is all disturbing stuff. And none of it includes some of the other accusations levied toward NFL players, such as public intoxication or vandalism.