by Andy Weddington
Monday, 29 August 2016
Do you know what NFL stands for? Not For Long when you make those sorts of calls. Angry coach to a ref
The NFL I quit watching decades ago.
Why?
Apathy, mostly.
One exception, the Super Bowl if only for background noise and the commercials.
Fantasy Football?
Isn't that the NFL, anyway?!
Until a couple days ago I'd never heard of Colin Kaepernick.
I could not have picked him out of a one-man lineup.
Since, he's polluted news and social media for his antic of remaining seated during our National Anthem before a game.
He stands (pardon the positional pun) by his decision as a display of support for the oppressed. Yes, he enjoys such freedom. So too consequences for there are more mature and intelligent means for making a point and making for change.
Whomever the oppressed, I'm not clear. He's surely not.
Americans have opined in sundry creative ways by trampling upon and burning semblances of his jersey (some more dramatic than others going viral on YouTube), and severing allegiance to Kaepernick's team the San Francisco 49ers.
I find this all rather bizarre, disheartening, and angering.
Why is it a malcontent behaving illogically and childishly occupies our country's attention while selfless patriots, protecting his rights and of way of life, killed in the line of duty are little more than a few minutes worth of news, if that, and become an obscure footnote?
During the last couple weeks, amidst computer work, I've received several Department of Defense notices (my computer set to alert - I stop whatever and read the release) of combat deaths - Iraq and Afghanistan. Who, other than family and friends, can name them?
These are the citizens who should enjoy millions - of dollars and FaceBook Likes, Twitter Likes and Retweets, and whatever the complements on other social media. And occupy watercooler and breakroom and classroom and dinner table conversations, too.
Today's opening quote I remember from an NFL promotional clip long ago of a sideline-storming angry coach confronting a ref.
It seems germane.
Not For Long ...
I wonder what, if anything, the 49ers owner will do to address Mr. Kaepernick?
I wonder, too, more so if the moral and patriotic conscience of America, especially 49er fans, is of such mettle to show the team's ownership who's really the boss? An empty stadium, paltry TV audience, and stagnate merchandise sales can be oppressive, in a healthy way, too.
It's not about the money.
And it's all about the money.
We'll see.
Not For Long, my hope.
Post Script
Spend some time perusing: http://icasualties.org
Get to know these men and women - humble heroes. They sacrificed, some ultimately, for our colors - the (imperfect) flag Mr. Kaepernick disgraces.
Posts
2 comments:
Sent by a reader requesting post ...
Hi Andy, Better than I can express ... The poem by Henry Holcomb Bennett "The Flag goes by" ... Please Google this poem and post in your comments section from me. The poem succinctly and directly explains why we honor the colors of our nation.
I won't address the crass rudeness, arrogance and disrespect of C**** K*********** ... not worthy of more air time for him. He is a coward and a fake. As I do lightly follow the NFL, interesting that since better NFL PED testing is in place, CK (not stooping so low to even write his name) has lost 20 lbs of " muscle " and the accompanying decline of performance from his previous illegal PED usage.
Kim
The poem referenced above ...
Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,
A flash of color beneath the sky:
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!
Blue and crimson and white it shines,
Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines.
Hats off!
The colors before us fly;
But more than the flag is passing by.
Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great,
Fought to make and to save the State:
Weary marches and sinking ships;
Cheers of victory on dying lips;
Days of plenty and years of peace;
March of a strong land’s swift increase;
Equal justice, right and law,
Stately honor and reverend awe;
Sign of a nation, great and strong
To ward her people from foreign wrong:
Pride and glory and honor,—all
Live in the colors to stand or fall.
Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;
And loyal hearts are beating high:
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!
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