Very Long Time Fan with Very Few Posts with the Truth

[irishcat1965]

A couple of thoughts.
1. Staying in the locker room during the National Anthem means zero. Nada. Well it proves you are too obtuse to figure out it elicits zero change on anything. There isn’t one person on earth who will decide to take action based on them sitting in the locker room game after game.
2. It seems the better way to elicit change is to engage the people in conversation you are trying to reach- not antagonize them.
3. I suggest they focus their efforts about racial inequality away from game days. Especially since they have proven over and over they are one of worst teams in UK history. It doesn’t help your position that you are boat raced game after game. You are on scholarship to play basketball and do it well- something the team has been an abysmal failure so far this year.

 

[yoshukai]

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.

Same with actors . They pretend to be someone else for a living . Why do they think they’re someone to pay attention to on real world matters . I look at athletes and actors like a rodeo clown or a juggler in a circus. They are for my entertainment, I don’t give a DAMN what they have to say .

 

[willievic]

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.

GREAT POST! So true for this old veteran. I LOVE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THE FLAG. I still get "Teary Eyed" when the National Anthem is played. I hope my two Grandsons, who are in Medical School at UK, will get to enjoy the country I LOVE and served. The way it's going, I have my doubts.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[Backer cutter]

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.

Best post I’ve read today.

 

[yoshukai]

Of course they are. But our own Fanbase worships them too. Paying money for someone’s autograph, following them on Twitter, etc

Enjoy the game for its entertainment value. Nothing more. There’s no athlete on earth that I’d walk across the street to meet. Well at least, male athlete

I’ve never understood how getting someone to sign their name on something is important.

 

[yoshukai]

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 “that” 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.

It’s a shame there weren’t some white people to come to their aid and free them , maybe go to war and risk their lives or something. I’ve always kinda thought if Black people had control of America and my ancestors were brought in as slaves that I’d still be slave .

 

[anon_q409idbs5m40a]

Same with actors . They pretend to be someone else for a living . Why do they think they’re someone to pay attention to on real world matters . I look at athletes and actors like a rodeo clown or a juggler in a circus. They are for my entertainment, I don’t give a DAMN what they have to say .

Right, and that's why it's called "acting" and entertainment. The whole thing is fake.

 

[nerdcat_rivals308595]

GREAT POST! So true for this old veteran. I LOVE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THE FLAG. I still get "Teary Eyed" when the National Anthem is played. I hope my two Grandsons, who are in Medical School at UK, will get to enjoy the country I LOVE and served. The way it's going, I have my doubts.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

You mean the same country that was segregated when you were young and served?

 

[willievic]

You mean the same country that was segregated when you were young and served?

Nerd, no, it was not segregated when I served. One of the instructors in my flight was black, and a GREAT GUY. I understand you have never served, so you would not know. Sorry you don't seem to have the same feelings I do. That's your lost. Join the military. You will no longer be a NERD.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[MegaBlue05]

It’s so dumb to get worked up over symbolism and what other people do for 90 seconds before a ball game, but I guess literally everyone - left and right - has to be constantly offended/persecuted by something nowadays.

 

[FanofUK]

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.

Yes, I personally think that the anthem is sacred. And will teach my children this very thing. Regardless of what we agree or disagree on the fact is people died for our freedom and I choose to not forget that.
I do not mind they protest but my opinion (which is my right also) is that the flag and anthem is a symbol for freedom, go hold up a sign and protest like normal people have done for years.
That said, I do not agree with the mistreatment of any person regardless of race. I think some of you think we agree with what has happened to those of a different race. I do not agree with it and those that caused it should be punished accordingly but that does not mean I want to burn our country down for it? Not even close. We have a great country with great opportunity, I for one am thankful for what we have.

 

[P19978]

Given that the average IQ of an pro athlete is about 50, I'm not sure why ANYBODY plays attention to what they say.

Do people really think Lebron is smart? Lol...

The same can be said for the entertainment industry as well... loads of popular actors/actresses over the years were highs school dropouts.