Somethings don't mix well . . . Religion and politics. Either in polite company, and I must add sports and divisive agendas. Our coach, who should be applauded as the best recruiter of anyone's recent lifetime for the program, stepped over a line that should have been understood. You must know your fan base. This is not about the players or about supporting them. This is not about one's beliefs about current events. This is a game. A simple game where we get enjoyment from temporary leaving the turmoil of life. His actions or lack thereof caused division. It is not about bad timing. There is never a right time to divide the Big Blue Nation over politics. We gather in Rupp or in our living rooms to support a team; not their personal beliefs about justice. The real problem is not that these young men have opinions, it is that they are using the wrong platform to voice them. Some things don't mix well.
Very Long Time Fan with Very Few Posts with the Truth
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I agree mostly.
Honestly I couldn't care less what they do, stand on their heads during the anthem if they want, I just do not wanna see it. I watch sports to escape politics, seeing this stuff just drives me the other way.
Also winning covers a multitude of sin in sports, but having a losing record and doing this stuff just creates more division.
And do they or anyone else that kneels during our sacred anthem think they are changing anything?
It feels as if it just makes things worse and again...more division.
I personally can look over it, I am ok with a peaceful protest but disagree on the view. What irritates me is dividing a fanbase that have military affiliation, just why?
Honestly I couldn't care less what they do, stand on their heads during the anthem if they want, I just do not wanna see it. I watch sports to escape politics, seeing this stuff just drives me the other way.
Also winning covers a multitude of sin in sports, but having a losing record and doing this stuff just creates more division.
And do they or anyone else that kneels during our sacred anthem think they are changing anything?
It feels as if it just makes things worse and again...more division.
I personally can look over it, I am ok with a peaceful protest but disagree on the view. What irritates me is dividing a fanbase that have military affiliation, just why?
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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There's a reason we have Separation of Church and State in this country and politics should be treated the same way. Like a lot have stated, people turn to sports to get away from the realities of the world, whether it be work, politics, bad news, etc. The last thing I want to see when tuning into a game is someone trying to make some statement whether it be related to politics, religion or some other cause like not killing seals in Alaska.
Social media gave athletics a platform to influence (especially young people). Now, young athletes all of a sudden must feel oppressed and offended because Lebron and his 40+ million dollar a year salary does.
Sports is entertainment, why people want it make it more than that is beyond me. Theyāre not role models, theyāre basketball players but people are followers and gullible
Sports is entertainment, why people want it make it more than that is beyond me. Theyāre not role models, theyāre basketball players but people are followers and gullible
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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Exactly, and Charles Barkley said the same thing. If you stop and think about it, a lot of athletes are very poor role models regardless of the sport or age.
Of course they are. But our own Fanbase worships them too. Paying money for someoneās autograph, following them on Twitter, etc
Enjoy the game for its entertainment value. Nothing more. Thereās no athlete on earth that Iād walk across the street to meet. Well at least, male athlete
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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The average fan has no clue what goes on behind the scenes. How many times do you hear of an athlete getting suspended for failing a drug test, domestic violence or any other type of abuse? On top of that, the percentage of professional athletes that are completely bankrupt after retiring is shocking. And BTW, I totally agree with you on the female athlete thing. I used to date a girl that ran track in college and it was the most athletic experience I've ever had.Of course they are. But our own Fanbase worships them too. Paying money for someoneās autograph, following them on Twitter, etc
Enjoy the game for its entertainment value. Nothing more. Thereās no athlete on earth that Iād walk across the street to meet. Well at least, male athlete
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anon_013cn8yrfncx2
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LolOf course they are. But our own Fanbase worships them too. Paying money for someoneās autograph, following them on Twitter, etc
Enjoy the game for its entertainment value. Nothing more. Thereās no athlete on earth that Iād walk across the street to meet. Well at least, male athlete
My apologies but it's a pet peeve and drives me crazy. It's "couldn't care less".
I worked in MiLB for 3 years, weād have old guys waiting around to get an 18 year olds autograph, that just felt odd to me. Itās handwriting, donāt get the appeal. Plenty of guys got suspended in the Rays system for weed. And one guy is in jail after killing some people. But yet, people worship these guys without knowing them
I remember I was working for ABQ Isotopes and Steve Garvey came to town to sign autographs on the Concourse after a game. I sat up his table and he came by. I realized right then how little I had to say to an athlete so I said āman the Dodgers and Reds rivalry in the 70s had to be cool to be a part ofā..he said āyeah, it wasā
Then thousands of people lined up to meet him for 5 seconds. He couldnāt give two craps about those people that waited in line or me. Lebron feels the same way, he doesnāt care about his followers. He cares about their money but people will give them everything theyāve got for no return
Athletes have too much power and too much influence because we let them
Its deeper than that and you know it but if you somehow do not Imma spell it out for you.
Blacks were slaves in this country for a long time.
Lincoln freed them around 1865 thats not āthatā long ago.
Now, despite the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s alot of blacks still feel disenfranchised with America today.
Blacks now dominate basketball and for a large part football in this country.
2 very popular sports that alot of whites and whites with power like, support and watch.
Now, fast forward to the kneeling.
Blacks know they are going to get the attention of whites kneeling during the anthem before their games.
Very few whites are going to listen to them on other various forums or at least that is clearly why they are picking this time to act out for causes.
Its not as black and white as you paint it.
Pardon the pun.
They donāt feel disenfranchised, they like the attention, nothing more.
I disagree with most people on this topic. Anyone should be able to protest as they see fit as long as they don't break the law doing it.
You can't tell someone they have the right to protest and then tell them how they can protest, when they can do it and where they can do it. For those of you who think the timing/locale was bad, I think you're simply missing the point of a protest. OK, so it offends your sensibilities. But protesting is often about that very thing. Making them uncomfortable. Creating conversation.
If you're going to embrace the constitutional right to protest then you shouldn't ***** about the method (unless it's against the law).
But to each his own.
You can't tell someone they have the right to protest and then tell them how they can protest, when they can do it and where they can do it. For those of you who think the timing/locale was bad, I think you're simply missing the point of a protest. OK, so it offends your sensibilities. But protesting is often about that very thing. Making them uncomfortable. Creating conversation.
If you're going to embrace the constitutional right to protest then you shouldn't ***** about the method (unless it's against the law).
But to each his own.
Good point! However, these protest are not beneficial to the goal of why we watch the sport. We don't tune in to see what Cal or his players think about politics. Most Kentucky fans could care less. Yes, you have the right to protest, but that does not mean that every setting is helpful. Consider, that their kneeling has not helped the team or the fan base.
Quote from deaaron fox on ksr todayāāCal couldnāt give a damn about winning college basketball games. If heās getting guys who he knows he can end up developing into NBA players,ā
Wait, are you saying there were slaves in this country?? I live outside Savannah and no one has ever said a word. As for what they are doing, they are inappropriately taking advantage of a platform WE gave them. It needs to stop. We'll see what our glorious leader does. He's painted himself into a bad corner.
That has been my opinion of Cal for years. He's being dead honest when he says his favorite day is draft day.
There is a huge difference between having a right to do something and that something being right to do. While they have a technical right to protest, they don't own this program. As coach, I'd sit them. They don't get to be pampered, get a free education, free coaching, private chefs, private trainers, constant tv time.....on and on, and then spit in the face of half the fanbase simply because they have a technical right to do it. Cal has created and encouraged this nonsense. Had he told them protesting is great but not during the anthem as too many people are offended by it and then stick to that, it wouldn't be a problem. Now he's dealing with a s**t storm of his own making.
Imagine being upset about some kids peacefully protesting right after a violent, insurrectionist MAGA mob overran the capital and beat the **** out of a bunch of police officers (killing one) while trying to overthrow the elected government because their brains have been turned to mush by propaganda.
Get your priorities straight.
Nobody owes this country (or itās flag) anything. If you donāt like people protesting it then youāre the opposite of what the country was founded on.
Get your priorities straight.
Nobody owes this country (or itās flag) anything. If you donāt like people protesting it then youāre the opposite of what the country was founded on.
A fan attending a game has every right to flip off a player, yell vulgarities at them, etc. Protected speech. The usher's has the right to remove the fan from the scene. The basketball court was not the place for the team to take a knee. I believe it was more of a "look at me" statement than anything else. Cal is just dumb enough to allow it. It divided the fan base- The kneeling is accepted in some places, not so much in KY. They should not be able to use the KY platform for crap like this....and I'll bet you they don't do it again. They sent a message, and they received a message in return. Keep it off the court.
There is a time and a place. You think it was ok? Well if it was they might do it again lol. Have a hunch they will NOT.
Of course they are. But our own Fanbase worships them too. Paying money for someoneās autograph, following them on Twitter, etc
Enjoy the game for its entertainment value. Nothing more. Thereās no athlete on earth that Iād walk across the street to meet. Well at least, male athlete
Good point , I wouldnt want his auto , but I'd walk 2 blocks to shake Larry Bird's hand !! lol
They can use the platform they have for whatever they please as long as they aren't breaking the law, and if you disagree I would bet money they probably don't care in the slightest.
These guys are already working for scraps compared to what they bring to the table. Trying to stifle their speech is a terrible look.
These guys are already working for scraps compared to what they bring to the table. Trying to stifle their speech is a terrible look.
you donāt get to determine the time and place someone wants to peacefully protest. That isnāt how freedom works
I said that same thing that night , figured I'd get killed , but I called them attention whores . I know thats strong but I honestly dont feel they are that invested in the cause to do what they did . It was a publicity stunt . Every kid that gets PT on that team flew across America playing ball in airplanes since they were 14 years old. That group isnt oppressed and I refuse to believe they are that tender to the racial oppression that was real in the 60s , 70's and into the 80s .
My apologies, but there should be a comma after āapologiesā in your sentence.
So I guess all the businesses that got robbed and burned by Antifa, BLM, and the left are ok, right?
Did the UK basketball team burn any buildings down? What exactly is your point? No one said burning down buildings is okay
No, but his point was there weren't any protests for the type of behavior exhibited by Antifa and the extremist elements of BLM.
The anthem is sacred? When did it become something to be worshipped? Is it possible it's you that is creating division by your refusal to accept that what they are doing is to protest killings of black men like themselves by police and has nothing to do with disrespecting the military? They may not be making changes for the better, but they are peacefully trying.
If those things are important to you and you want to peacefully protest them, you are free to do so. The players are protesting something that is important to them.
