When did the NFL become so Magnanimous?

[Bulldog Bruce]

I keep hearing that Kaepernick has the right to protest during an NFL event. Seems Jim McMahon and Walter Payton were not allowed to where headbands that had "protests" written on them. Payton Manning was not allowed to where hightop black shoes in honor of Johnny Unitas. They just denied a Cowboys request to honor the slain officers in Dallas. What about touchdown celebrations? Players don't have the right to express themselves after a score.

All they have ever done is deny any form of speech other than what they want, which they are allowed to do since they are not the government. I just don't see how they can stop any of these things from this point forward.

 

[EurekaDog]

1st thing I thought about last week. McMahon with his "ROZELLE" headband (NM)

ASDF

 

[patdog]

NFL needs to at least require all players to stand respectfully during the anthem. Putting their hsbd over their heart can be optional.

 

[FlotownDawg]

The things you mentioned all had to do with uniforms

The NFL has very strict uniform guidelines and they take a hard line on any alterations. Thats why Peyton Manning couldn't wear black shoes, Jim McMahon couldn't wear his custom made headband and the Cowboys couldn't wear special stickers on their helmets to honor the fallen police officers. Hell, several years ago, when Jack del Rio was coaching the Jaguars, he wanted to wear a suit on the sidelines but the NFL wouldn't let him because Reebok (NFL apparel supplier at the time) didn't make suits, and coaches and staff could only wear Reebok apparel. There is apparently no NFL rule regarding standing for the national anthem, which is why Kaepernick can do it with no punishment.

 

[NCDawg.sixpack]

NFL needs to at least require all players to stand respectfully during the anthem. Putting their hsbd over their heart can be optional.

Totally agree.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

Yes the early ones, McMahon and Sweetness, started as something to protect the sponsors to not have other companies advertise using the players, but it turned into a protest. The expansion of the strict uniform policies was to control the messaging from the players. What started out as a sponsor protection, turned into not allowing any player to express a personal message at all. I remember them fining people for putting names of people that died on their shoes. So the NFL is fully controlling the message.

There were no celebration rules at one time so people did all sorts of celebrations. Then they made rules to stop that and they fine people for that.

Now we have this where there is no rule formally written about standing for the National Anthem, So CK is getting away with this. I suspect there will be one soon.

What my point was is that all these reporters keep saying CK has the right to do this as if all players have freedom of speech. They do not. I guess technically that is correct for this one instance since there is no rule currently to address standing for the National Anthem. I suspect there will be a written rule soon. Let's just not act as the NFL abides, or has to abide, by the First Amendment.

 

[KurtRambis4]

Exactly. The NFL needs to make

it a rule that ALL players/personnel/staff/etc. HAVE to stand during the PoA.

The fact that I just made that statement is ridiculous, but it's where we are today.

If you don't like it, fine. Go play in the CFL.

 

[esplanade91]

NFL needs to at least require all players to stand respectfully during the anthem. Putting their hsbd over their heart can be optional.

The unintended irony in this is great.

I'm not supportive of what he's doing, I think he's an idiot, but he's not the first high profile professional athlete in America to disrespect the flag ceremony or even be the MOST disrespectful of the flag ceremony. I don't remember the fake outrage over it when Chris Jackson **** all over the American idea in its entirety. Maybe don't put so much stock into what people who bash their brains in for a living think.

You can rest easy knowing Colin's day in the sun will end with no NFL team wanting to sign him, much like what happened to Jackson.

 

[KurtRambis4]

Of course he's not,

and Mahmoud Abdul Rouf (sp??) got booed/ostracized (rightfully so) for it, too.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

I think you know the answer why. If a certain type of people dare stand up or go against another certain type of people, no matter the issue, they will be ostracized and deemed racist. This is the PC pussification of America at its finest.

 

[VillagepeopleDogs]

What does Mangumunous mean?