Photo credit: @theMMQB
By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said during a news conference that team owners unanimously agreed that the NFL can fine a team whose players protest on the sidelines during the National Anthem, but that each team will set its own rules regarding players who want to kneel. Players will not be fined individually by the league and will have the option to remain in the locker room while the anthem is played.
Hopefully, this is the end of a story that has nothing to do with touchdowns, tackles or field goals. However, it did started a conversation nationwide that still is going on and it even spilled to high school kids–many who can’t find Washington D.C. on a map–but who also took a knee in school.
The First Amendment should always be protected because it is indispensable in a free Republic like the United States of America. However, the NFL is a private business and owners handsomely pay their players to play what is today the most popular sport in America and they also have a right to demand the conduct of their players.
The NFL has been besieged with players in trouble with the law. It seems that in the MLB, it is the suspension for the use of illegal substances, one of their biggest problems, while in the NFL, it is tons of their players getting in trouble with the law on and off the football field. As I remember, the main reason for the protest was police brutality towards African-Americans. Although, this also changed later to other topics.
The NFL Players Association, which was not included in the talks with owners, said the union will review the new policy and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Owners discussed the topic for two hours on Tuesday and one hour on Wednesday, according to Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.
We can only hope that this controversy is settled once and for all. I remember when Hall of Fame manager Tony LaRussa opined on this matter, when it was happening and was a story all over the country.
LaRussa said: “I know that there’s a constitutional right to express yourself, but I think you have a right as an organization to have a certain philosophy about respecting, whether it’s our Constitution, whether it’s our country, whether its our soldiers…our flag.”
LaRussa added: “I would not, to the best of my ability, I would not sanction somebody taking a knee.”
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