Friday, September 29, 2017

Here’s your solution NFL and the rest of you SOBs that got involved

Since this piece is about the NFL and it’s employees lets examine that relationship specifically. The NFL is a very complex organization, however for the sake of this conversation I’ll attempt to keep it simple. The NFL has rules of conduct which governs the behaviors of it’s employees. You are probably already aware of that fact. Following is what the NFL says about conduct regarding the National anthem.
The answer to all the turmoil the NFL presently finds itself embroiled in is elegant in it’s simplicity. To kneel or not to kneel that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer. The slings and arrows of ubiquitous injustices past and present. Or to take a knee against a sea of troubles. And by kneeling end them. To protest fist in air, to be woke--. No more—and by protest to say we all win.

Okay, okay Hamlet’s Soliloquy is a bit much but my point is all of this drama is excessive. Why are we fighting and why are we using sports as a MMA cage for this fight?

Originally Colin Kaepernick said he wished to draw attention to police injustices. But recently everyone is attempting to use this protest to strike out at the President of the United States of America. Whatever your reasons can we all agree that the protest has not achieved Kaepernick’s original desired intent?

So what is the simple solution that I promised? The answer is right there before us and here it is, every man, woman and child connected with the NFL, when the National Anthem is played if you are on the side line, as you should be, stand quietly and respectfully with your helmet under your left arm. Stand there until the anthem is completed. After the anthem is completed then you may resume your normal activities. There, I told you the answer is simple.

Then, you may say to me,“Well what about the player’s rights?” Which rights are you referring to? Freedom to protest? Freedom to express oneself? Freedom of speech? Those rights? None of these “rights” apply. "Why?" You ask. Here's why, rights are enshrined in the United States Constitution. In general the Constitution outlines the relationship between the individual and the state or the government. The Constitution recognizes that there are God given rights, which each individual has. Rights which the government should not and must not impede upon.

That would be the end of the story except that the individual has other relationships. There is the parent and child relationship, the marital relationship and the employer and employee relationship to simply name a few. Each of these relationships have certain special and unique conditions and expectations.

Since this piece is about the NFL and it’s employees lets examine that relationship specifically. The NFL is a very complex organization, however for the sake of this conversation I’ll attempt to keep it simple. The NFL has rules of conduct which governs the behaviors of it’s employees. You are probably already aware of that fact. Following is what the NFL says about conduct regarding the National anthem.

NFL Game Operations Manuel

The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem. During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag our country. Failure to be the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.

So this discussion is not really about rights, is it? No this discussion is about the Employer, employee relationship between the NFL and it’s players/employees. Also this discussion is about the relationship between the NFL and it’s fans.

According to the NFL ‘s Game Operations Manuel there is no kneeling, no staying in the locker room, and no pregame stretching during the National Anthem.

Simple situation, the NFL should enforce it’s own rule because as the rule states, “It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag our country.” (Boy that’s kind of an understatement isn’t it!)

Finally, the NFL has caused major damage to it’s own image and to the relationship with it’s fans. For whatever reason the NFL chose to ignore it’s own rule therefore making the NFL complicit in the disrespect that it’s employees demonstrated to our National Anthem, our Country, and to us the citizens of this country, and last the NFL has caused major damage between itself and with NFL fans.

Solution, NFL, follow your own rule book. In addition to that you’re going to have to spend some money on a lot of television ads. Then this is what you should do, you should have every player, coach and owner who locked arms and knelled in disrespect to the American people and to NFL fans, apologize to America on your television ads for your misguided and bad behavior.

After that can we please just play football?