ESPN lefty. NFL places politics in games by playing the national anthem.

[WVPATX]

Wow. No wonder ESPN is being abandoned in droves by viewers.



Thursday, on ESPN “First Take” co-host Max Kellerman shared his reaction to Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett comparing free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick to boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

Kellerman admitted the two athletes are very different, but said the two are similar in that neither “went out looking for a protest.”


The ESPN personality then argued that Kaepernick did not inject politics into the NFL, but rather the NFL injects politics by playing the national anthem and “putting pressure” on people to stand.

Partial transcript as follows:

They both were asked to do things that went against their conscience. In this country, in the United States of America, you don’t have to do that. We are free to make our own choices. And if our conscience is bothering us, we can follow that.

In Muhammad Ali’s case, he was asked to take a step forward and become a part of the Vietnam War, and he was against it on religious and moral and ethical principles, and he refused to take the step and he faced five years jail time but was ultimately vindicated in a Supreme Court case. OK, but he did have his prime stripped, his license revoked and he couldn’t earn a living for four years, all that.

Colin Kaepernick also did not go looking for a protest. It came to him. He was asked to stand for the national anthem. You do not have to stand for the national anthem. And even if it it was a rule that you did, is that Colin Kaepernick injecting politics in the NFL? No. That’s the NFL injecting politics by playing the national anthem and putting pressure on you to stand for it in the first place.

 

[op2]

Wow. No wonder ESPN is being abandoned in droves by viewers.



Thursday, on ESPN “First Take” co-host Max Kellerman shared his reaction to Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett comparing free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick to boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

Kellerman admitted the two athletes are very different, but said the two are similar in that neither “went out looking for a protest.”


The ESPN personality then argued that Kaepernick did not inject politics into the NFL, but rather the NFL injects politics by playing the national anthem and “putting pressure” on people to stand.

Partial transcript as follows:

They both were asked to do things that went against their conscience. In this country, in the United States of America, you don’t have to do that. We are free to make our own choices. And if our conscience is bothering us, we can follow that.

In Muhammad Ali’s case, he was asked to take a step forward and become a part of the Vietnam War, and he was against it on religious and moral and ethical principles, and he refused to take the step and he faced five years jail time but was ultimately vindicated in a Supreme Court case. OK, but he did have his prime stripped, his license revoked and he couldn’t earn a living for four years, all that.

Colin Kaepernick also did not go looking for a protest. It came to him. He was asked to stand for the national anthem. You do not have to stand for the national anthem. And even if it it was a rule that you did, is that Colin Kaepernick injecting politics in the NFL? No. That’s the NFL injecting politics by playing the national anthem and putting pressure on you to stand for it in the first place.

I half agree with Kellerman. I don't think it's accurate to say a protest came to CK. Like everybody else in the NFL, CK pursued it like crazy knowing all the while that it involves standing for the National Anthem.

But that said, the NFL does inject patriotism by playing the NA to begin with. They're looking for every little edge to make an extra buck and one edge is appealing to patriotism. And that works. But it also leaves it open for CK to others to not stand.

By playing the NA before a game the NFL is basically asking everybody to make a statement about what they think of the USA. But if you ask people to make a statement on something they may not always say what you like, at which time your options because to endure what they say even though you don't like it or else forcibly shut them up.

It's a football game. What reason is there, other than tradition, to play the NA before a football game?

 

[WVPATX]

I half agree with Kellerman. I don't think it's accurate to say a protest came to CK. Like everybody else in the NFL, CK pursued it like crazy knowing all the while that it involves standing for the National Anthem.

But that said, the NFL does inject patriotism by playing the NA to begin with. They're looking for every little edge to make an extra buck and one edge is appealing to patriotism. And that works. But it also leaves it open for CK to others to not stand.

By playing the NA before a game the NFL is basically asking everybody to make a statement about what they think of the USA. But if you ask people to make a statement on something they may not always say what you like, at which time your options because to endure what they say even though you don't like it or else forcibly shut them up.

It's a football. What reason is there, other than tradition, to play the NA before a football game?

Wow, did not expect this post from you. We all live in the USA. Those who were born here and those who are immigrants. We expect, no we demand assimilation and that has helped us greatly to not only avoid most of the problems of Europe but to stay one nation, undivided, the greatest nation on earth. This experiment has thus far succeeded, out of many, one. We have traditions. We have the 4th of July. We have Memorial Day. All meant to honor this country and to those that have come before us and given the ultimate sacrifice. We play the national anthem and we recite the pledge, to help remain one country and to help those with different opinions, different politics, different life styles, different ethnicities, different races to come together as one and to celebrate this country.

Absolutely shocked you don't see this nor the idiot ESPN analyst.

 

[op2]

Wow, did not expect this post from you. We all live in the USA. Those who were born here and those who are immigrants. We expect, no we demand assimilation and that has helped us greatly to not only avoid most of the problems of Europe but to stay one nation, undivided, the greatest nation on earth. This experiment has thus far succeeded, out of many, one. We have traditions. We have the 4th of July. We have Memorial Day. All meant to honor this country and to those that have come before us and given the ultimate sacrifice. We play the national anthem and we recite the pledge, to help remain one country and to help those with different opinions, different politics, different life styles, different ethnicities, different races to come together as one and to celebrate this country.

Absolutely shocked you don't see this nor the idiot ESPN analyst.

If we were talking about a Memorial Day or July 4th service I would agree. But an NFL is a private event put on to make money. It may not seem "private" since so many people see it but of course so many people seeing it is what brings in all the money. It's a moneymaking event that plays the NA because doing so makes the NFL more popular and in turns makes it more money.

They should be allowed to play the NA if they want, no question, but let's not delude ourselves in what it's about. It makes it a little easier for them to dip into our pockets a little more. If you can align your product with patriotism then your product can make more money. It's that simple. That said, CK knew that going in.

The NFL should play the NA if it wants.

CK should not stand if that's what he wants.

The NFL should in return not hire CK to play football if that's what it wants.

The NFL fans should react to that in whatever way then want.

That's it. Freedom all around.

 

[WVPATX]

If we were talking about a Memorial Day or July 4th service I would agree. But an NFL is a private event put on to make money. It may not seem "private" since so many people see it but of course so many people seeing it is what brings in all the money. It's a moneymaking event that plays the NA because doing so makes the NFL more popular and in turns makes it more money.

They should be allowed to play the NA if they want, no question, but let's not delude ourselves in what it's about. It makes it a little easier for them to dip into our pockets a little more. If you can align your product with patriotism then your product can make more money. It's that simple. That said, CK knew that going in.

The NFL should play the NA if it wants.

CK should not stand if that's what he wants.

The NFL should in return not hire CK to play football if that's what it wants.

The NFL fans should react to that in whatever way then want.

That's it. Freedom all around.

We have played the national anthem at major events for a reason. To unite us. Same with the pledge. This is not about making money. No one goes to a WV football or basketball game, the olympics or a professional baseball, basketball or football game to hear the anthem. They go to watch the game. The anthem is played as a tribute to our country and again to give us at least something to bring us all together. Shocked you deny this or can't see it.

 

[TN EER]

I half agree with Kellerman. I don't think it's accurate to say a protest came to CK. Like everybody else in the NFL, CK pursued it like crazy knowing all the while that it involves standing for the National Anthem.

But that said, the NFL does inject patriotism by playing the NA to begin with. They're looking for every little edge to make an extra buck and one edge is appealing to patriotism. And that works. But it also leaves it open for CK to others to not stand.

By playing the NA before a game the NFL is basically asking everybody to make a statement about what they think of the USA. But if you ask people to make a statement on something they may not always say what you like, at which time your options because to endure what they say even though you don't like it or else forcibly shut them up.

It's a football game. What reason is there, other than tradition, to play the NA before a football game?

The one thing on this that I've never heard anything on. Did DK stand for the Anthem while in high school and college ? Has anyone asked him that question?

 

[op2]

We have played the national anthem at major events for a reason. To unite us. Same with the pledge. This is not about making money. No one goes to a WV football or basketball game, the olympics or a professional baseball, basketball or football game to hear the anthem. They go to watch the game. The anthem is played as a tribute to our country and again to give us at least something to bring us all together. Shocked you deny this or can't see it.

At a public event "we" play it in the sense that a public event is everyone, but at an NFL game "we" aren't playing it, rather the NFL is playing it. They decide, not us. They're not playing it to unite us, rather they're playing it to make money. If tomorrow the NFL could make more money by not playing the NA then they'd stop playing the NA.

 

[op2]

The one thing on this that I've never heard anything on. Did DK stand for the Anthem while in high school and college ? Has anyone asked him that question?

I assume he did stand for it in HS and college and for that matter for his first several years in the NFL.

 

[WVPATX]

At a public event "we" play it in the sense that a public event is everyone, but at an NFL game "we" aren't playing it, rather the NFL is playing it. They decide, not us. They're not playing it to unite us, rather they're playing it to make money. If tomorrow the NFL could make more money by not playing the NA then they'd stop playing the NA.

Complete and utter BS. How do they make money playing the anthem? More attendance? Bigger tv contract? Hogwash. They play it just as we play it in grade school, middle school, high school, college, etc. to unite us. It is tradition, it is national pride, it brings us together. You have heard of tradition, right?

 

[Boomboom521]

Don't televise the anthem

 

[WVPATX]

Don't televise the anthem

Why?

 

[op2]

Complete and utter BS. How do they make money playing the anthem? More attendance? Bigger tv contract? Hogwash. They play it just as we play it in grade school, middle school, high school, college, etc. to unite us. It is tradition, it is national pride, it brings us together. You have heard of tradition, right?

They make more money from it because people like patriotism so it makes them feel good when the NA is played before the game and when they feel good they like the NFL better because people like to feel good.

Playing the NA is a political statement of sorts and one that most people agree with and that works in the NFLs favor. But OTOH if you bring politics into something then you're opening the door for people to disagree with you. CK couldn't not stand for the NA if the NA wasn't being played in the first place.

 

[op2]

Why?

Maybe play commercials during the NA and donate the money made from them to a good cause.

 

[WVPATX]

They make more money from it because people like patriotism so it makes them feel good when the NA is played before the game and when they feel good they like the NFL better because people like to feel good.

Playing the NA is a political statement of sorts and one that most people agree with and that works in the NFLs favor. But OTOH if you bring politics into something then you're opening the door for people to disagree with you. CK couldn't not stand for the NA if the NA wasn't being played in the first place.

Show me any studies, provide any evidence that people go to watch NFL games because they play the anthem. It is beyond stupid to believe this.

 

[WVPATX]

Maybe play commercials during the NA and donate the money made from them to a good cause.

I think playing the anthem and the benefit it provides is worth far more. Obviously, you disagree with playing the anthem and what it represents. Very, very telling and plays into the stereotype of what conservatives think of how libs feel about this country and its traditions.

 

[op2]

Show me any studies, provide any evidence that people go to watch NFL games because they play the anthem. It is beyond stupid to believe this.

I didn't say people go to the games because of it. I said it makes people like the NFL more because they associate good feelings with it.

 

[bornaneer]

I assume he did stand for it in HS and college and for that matter for his first several years in the NFL.

First Colon Kaeperdick is a total assh*le and he has other issues with America beside the police......he thinks Castro is a great guy and shows support for the mass murderer by wearing Castro shirts. I also guess his solution for perceived injustices is wearing "pig" socks. With that being said.....I see no need for playing the NA before every sporting event and would have no problem if they did not play it......But if played I will stand and NOT disrespect it.

 

[op2]

I think playing the anthem and the benefit it provides is worth far more. Obviously, you disagree with playing the anthem and what it represents. Very, very telling.

If an active game is on one channel and the NA is being played before the game on another channel which one do you watch?

 

[WVPATX]

I didn't say people go to the games because of it. I said it makes people like the NFL more because they associate good feelings with it.

Then how does it make the NFL money? Again, show me a scintilla of evidence.

 

[op2]

First Colon Kaeperdick is a total assh*le and he has other issues with America beside the police......he thinks Castro is a great guy and shows support for the mass murderer by wearing Castro shirts. I also guess his solution for perceived injustices is wearing "pig" socks. With that being said.....I see no need for playing the NA before every sporting event and would have no problem if they did not play it......But if played I will stand and NOT disrespect it.

Football is played only once per week so maybe it's not excessive playing it before a football game, but with baseball games that are played every day it seems kinda crazy.

 

[WVPATX]

First Colon Kaeperdick is a total assh*le and he has other issues with America beside the police......he thinks Castro is a great guy and shows support for the mass murderer by wearing Castro shirts. I also guess his solution for perceived injustices is wearing "pig" socks. With that being said.....I see no need for playing the NA before every sporting event and would have no problem if they did not play it......But if played I will stand and NOT disrespect it.

We are losing something of our country if conservatives feel this way as well. Sad.

 

[op2]

Then how does it make the NFL money? Again, show me a scintilla of evidence.

I bet that's the first time the word scintilla has been used on this board.

When you sell something you want to make people buying it feel good so they'll buy more of it. It's common sense.

 

[WVU82_rivals]

money has ruined most of the pro sports in this country...


last time I watched an NBA game... Charles Barkley was playing...

I've been to ~100 NASCAR races... haven't been to a race now going on 7 years...

last time I watched an entire NFL game... 5 years at least...

last time I watched an entire MLB game... 3 or 4 years...


I have no interest in it...

 

[bornaneer]

We are losing something of our country if conservatives feel this way as well. Sad.

Feel what way? I said I would NEVER show disrespect. I also think and I bet you would agree that its disrespected many times by the way its performed. Don't try to equate what I said with what the ESPN nut did.

 

[WVPATX]

Feel what way? I said I would NEVER show disrespect. I also think and I bet you would agree that its disrespected many times by the way its performed. Don't try to equate what I said with what the ESPN nut did.

No, I am referring to the fact that we do several things in this country in an attempt to unite us. Out of many, one. The anthem is one of those traditions. And if we lose these traditions, then the experiment which is the United States will fail, in my opinion. We are rapidly losing the things that once brought us together.

 

[Mntneer]

Don't televise the anthem

They don't.

Suggesting that playing it is injecting politics by the NFL is fooking stupid. Events since the dawn of this country have been led with things like the Anthem and the Pledge, and we are not the only country that does this.

 

[Boomboom521]

I think playing the anthem and the benefit it provides is worth far more. Obviously, you disagree with playing the anthem and what it represents. Very, very telling and plays into the stereotype of what conservatives think of how libs feel about this country and its traditions.

Douchey

 

[Boomboom521]

They don't.

Suggesting that playing it is injecting politics by the NFL is fooking stupid. Events since the dawn of this country have been led with things like the Anthem and the Pledge, and we are not the only country that does this.

I didn't say that. I thought they did televise it

 

[PriddyBoy]

 

[DvlDog4WVU]

I always associated the anthem being played as honoring those who've made the sacrifice in order to make something like enjoying a Sunday afternoon at the ballpark possible. A reminder of how truly awesome our nation really is. People can choose to disrespect it, that's fine. Those are just ****** individuals and should be chastised as such, publicly, and loudly. They want to make a statement, I have no issue, but don't ***** when your statement is not accepted and further, when you're cast aside. Consequences for actions. Anyone suggesting CK is a victim in this is equally a piece of ****.