Steelers Organization Will Support Players Who Kneel

[6Lombardis]

I’d be interested to know how we came to do the anthem at our events in the first place. I’m not for it or against it, just wondering how that came to be. I ask myself, would my experience be much different if it wasn’t performed...probably, because it’s always nice and I get emotional when the jets fly over. I guess that’s what makes me mad, others are potentially ruining something most of us would just as soon leave as tradition. The fact is, when they kneel, some will see and ask “what is the issue?” It will raise awareness. It will also raise anger and resentment from people like me. More than anything I just feel sorry for them...sorry they are troubled by something enough to do this. It’s sad.

I will watch the games because I watch for the game, there’s no replacement for it. I don’t watch to celebrate the flag. If a person can stand in that stadium, feel the energy, and NOT be thankful for our nation and all that went into making it great, no flag or song is going to do it.

As someone else said here, not everyone really appreciates the song anyway-if you ever take time to look at others around you. Some don’t pay attention. I’m not sure that makes them nation haters. I think the solution for now is for the NFL to tell the networks to not broadcast that part of the event. Clearly this is an important stance or message for some of these athletes. I certainly think this symbolic gesture is preferable to rioting in the streets. No matter how much we may disagree, I’ve learned people’s minds are seldom ever changed on heartfelt topics.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I don't care one way or the other. I'm not there for politics. I'm there for a 3 hour escape of reality. If someone wants to politicize I can engage or ignore.

 

[slashsteel]

I’d be interested to know how we came to do the anthem at our events in the first place. I’m not for it or against it, just wondering how that came to be. I ask myself, would my experience be much different if it wasn’t performed...probably, because it’s always nice and I get emotional when the jets fly over. I guess that’s what makes me mad, others are potentially ruining something most of us would just as soon leave as tradition. The fact is, when they kneel, some will see and ask “what is the issue?” It will raise awareness. It will also raise anger and resentment from people like me. More than anything I just feel sorry for them...sorry they are troubled by something enough to do this. It’s sad.

I will watch the games because I watch for the game, there’s no replacement for it. I don’t watch to celebrate the flag. If a person can stand in that stadium, feel the energy, and NOT be thankful for our nation and all that went into making it great, no flag or song is going to do it.

As someone else said here, not everyone really appreciates the song anyway-if you ever take time to look at others around you. Some don’t pay attention. I’m not sure that makes them nation haters. I think the solution for now is for the NFL to tell the networks to not broadcast that part of the event. Clearly this is an important stance or message for some of these athletes. I certainly think this symbolic gesture is preferable to rioting in the streets. No matter how much we may disagree, I’ve learned people’s minds are seldom ever changed on heartfelt topics.

I need nothing for awareness. Nobody needs anything for awareness. If anyone isn't aware of the agenda by now they are living under a rock. I will call it an agenda because that accurately captures the situation. It isn't so much about a song it is respecting the flag when it is presented. Everytime some ******** has an agenda they try to get rid of something patriotic. Most of the time we don't have a say in whatever they're canning. But this time we can have a platform against those who want to disrupt our moment of tribute. No there is social media and the media available for agenda pushing, again no need to force a agenda on the patriotic Americans. We have the TV,media,movies, neighborhoods,social media all focusing in. That is good and plenty.

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[ZonaBurgh]

Let me ask those that feel that's it's perfectly fine for players to kneel for the anthem, just what they are trying to accomplish? We've already heard the accusations of police brutality, and the oppression of the black community. So what is the real endgame?

Honestly, I do not know. If there is such concern, please list specifically the athletes that are in those communities, donating their time and money to make a difference. Which ones are sitting down with local governments and police departments to negotiate a solution to the injustice that they perceive?

There may well be players that are doing just that, but if their stories are not told frequently by the media, then their pointless protests are all that will be seen, dividing, promoting hate. and on that point they are spot on.

 

[alancac98]

No ,**** you buddy and your bigger than them attitude. Most of.you ******* would be flipping burgers if not for the fans who pay ridiculous sums of money to watch a absolutely meaningless game. You are not special.

Stupid ****.

I've already concluded I'm done. I already know what's coming. I've seen enough going on around the country. No thanks. It was good while it lasted.

These guys will be lucky to play. You may not even have any fans in the stadiums.

x1000

 

[alancac98]

I'd say wholesale forced labor of an entire race might have started the division. Add to that the fact that a bunch of supposed "patriots" have no problem running around with the confederate flag, you know, the one that actually represents NOT being part of America, and those same I'm for free speech ************* are the ones saying it's dis-respectful to kneel during a song. Yeah, ok.

Joe

You do know that there were a whole lot of white people forced into slavery in the 1800's, perhaps more white than the blacks that were enslaved. And... it continued well past the time Abraham Lincoln freed them. BTW, the blacks that came here as slaves were already slaves in their own country - they were just sold to white men who could pay more for them!

 

[alancac98]

Let me ask those that feel that's it's perfectly fine for players to kneel for the anthem, just what they are trying to accomplish? We've already heard the accusations of police brutality, and the oppression of the black community. So what is the real endgame?

Honestly, I do not know. If there is such concern, please list specifically the athletes that are in those communities, donating their time and money to make a difference. Which ones are sitting down with local governments and police departments to negotiate a solution to the injustice that they perceive?

There may well be players that are doing just that, but if their stories are not told frequently by the media, then their pointless protests are all that will be seen, dividing, promoting hate. and on that point they are spot on.

I have thought the same thing! You would think the news channels would be all over a meeting like that, but I have never heard any mention of NFL players meeting with local officials.

 

[alancac98]

How can anyone disrespect our flag when so many gave their lives to fight for the freedoms that it represents.

Check this vid out.....and no crying.

[video]https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpinearts.smugmug.com%2FThe-Boy-on-the-Beach-Omaha-Beach-2014%2Fi-http://www.steelernationforums.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=732089vPVMh5F%2FA&data=02%7C01%7C%7C11ad4ae252824342b22508d81609fea4 %7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C6372 83579462370217&sdata=cYg1EH4at%2FS0qwfUAimAehUwyaLllYZuMjcZphgE2x k%3D&reserved=0[/video]

Okay SteelChip - that video really got to me. What an amazing young man! Isn't it funny how a young man of his age gets patriotism when so many other adult have no clue? NFL players have been given their opportunity to make their lives better in so many ways because other young men and women put their lives on the line or made the ultimate sacrifice! NFL players should really be ashamed of themselves, but I know they could care less. All they want is their money and their hoes!

 

[Steelr4evr]

Dude is a ********** , he did it to say **** you to the US and cops. His pig cop socks will never be forgotten. Any body that can support him is morally corrupt.

He's a marxist dickbag and the NFL commissioner is using him as guidance for everyone. ******* morons.

Same goes for this group BLM that's founded and run by Marxists. The antifa branch of them are more communist rooted mascarading as anti-fascists. Not that clever considering their tactics and actions.


Like I said I know what's coming. This is way past football and it certainly isn't about black lives or they'd be addressing the killing fields of black on.black murder in the cities or the murders of black police officers in this whole fiasco.

 

[SteelChip]

He's a marxist dickbag and the NFL commissioner is using him as guidance for everyone.

 

[Confluence]

The NFL should take this as an opportunity.

In the minutes before each game, they could list each players contribution to their community for the previous week, they could have a common prayer/silence for racial equality/harmony, and then they could play the national anthem.

All can be respected, including the players who make a difference in their chosen community.

This would take the total time of the anthem, a minute or two to pray, and a another minute or two to call out the players community contributions.

5 minutes; everybody gets what they say they want/need, while being respectful of that which offends others.

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[Hypocycloids]

Let me ask those that feel that's it's perfectly fine for players to kneel for the anthem, just what they are trying to accomplish? We've already heard the accusations of police brutality, and the oppression of the black community. So what is the real endgame?

Honestly, I do not know. If there is such concern, please list specifically the athletes that are in those communities, donating their time and money to make a difference. Which ones are sitting down with local governments and police departments to negotiate a solution to the injustice that they perceive?

There may well be players that are doing just that, but if their stories are not told frequently by the media, then their pointless protests are all that will be seen, dividing, promoting hate. and on that point they are spot on.

There is no endgame . It's purpose is to create chaos. Kneeling creates chaos, which creates divisiveness . BLM is a Marxist organization. One way by which commies have created chaos was to exploit race.

In 1931 nine innocent blacks were falsely accused of rape. Who swoops in to agitate?...the Communist Party USA.
The accusations that the CIA pushed crack cocaine into the black community was disinformation spread by the Soviets.
The accusation that AIDS was created in a lab to kill black people was seeded by the KGB. This **** has been going on for a 100 yrs.

Now we have George Floyd who was murdered, an as to be expected, it was exploited it to create chaos.
Except it wasn't the KGB doin it. It was the enemy within.

 

[Muddler]

I've thought about this thread for awhile and considered not responding but I think it is important so here goes:

I don't get the opportunity to go to many NFL games but next time I do when the anthem is played I will stand, face the flag, remove my cap, place my hand over my heart and sing softly to myself like I always do because I have a terrible voice and I don't want to ruin anyone else's enjoyment of the song. I'll probably glance down at the players to see the standing v. kneeling ratio. For those that kneel I'll accept their explanation at face value that it is not about showing disrespect for the flag but is a non-violent form of protest against racial injustice because after all two out of every three players in the NFL are black and they and their families have a lot more at stake in the issue than I do. And then when the game starts I will watch as the players who knelt band together with the players who stood and work as hard as they can towards a common goal. And I'll hope in my heart that this might be a metaphor for America - that no matter what our racial, political or socio-economic differences are or how strongly held our opinions, we can all at some point come together as a nation. It could happen.

 

[Stryker]

Nah. I call bullshit. Kapernick wasn't praying. Or even pretending to. He did it to **** on the anthem, the country, and the people who love it. He did it to draw attention to himself and his own cause. So spare us .

You call bullshit because why? You can't read? I linked the reference. This has always been the point. I don't know why your news sources continue to demonize a praying man, but if we listened to this issue in 2017, perhaps you wouldn't still be drawing false associations to patriotism.

 

[Stryker]

You don't know how we know what Kaprinick was thinking when he kneeled??? Perhaps it was his own words??? derp

Yea, you're right. Why would a devout christian not pray while he's kneeling. And you fail to recognize where he says it's not about the military and the people who serve our country.

Keep making excuses. I'm sure this problem will just go away on its own...

 

[Stryker]

There is no endgame . It's purpose is to create chaos. Kneeling creates chaos, which creates divisiveness . BLM is a Marxist organization. One way by which commies have created chaos was to exploit race.

In 1931 nine innocent blacks were falsely accused of rape. Who swoops in to agitate?...the Communist Party USA.
The accusations that the CIA pushed crack cocaine into the black community was disinformation spread by the Soviets.
The accusation that AIDS was created in a lab to kill black people was seeded by the KGB. This **** has been going on for a 100 yrs.

Now we have George Floyd who was murdered, an as to be expected, it was exploited it to create chaos.
Except it wasn't the KGB doin it. It was the enemy within.

Nice instance. Let's start talking about the KKK. I can write a freakin book on their atrocities toward black americans.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

Nice instance. Let's start talking about the KKK. I can write a freakin book on their atrocities toward black americans.

G, you're an incredible source of football knowledge that I enjoy reading, but you're carrying enough white guilt for the entire race. At some point everyone needs to be responsible for their own actions, good and bad.

Minorities have never in the history of this country had the opportunities for advancement that they do today. Before accusing others for their plight in life, perhaps some self reflection and cleaning their own house is in order.

I admit to having no idea what it's like to be black and living in an inner city, but being a 3rd generation American of Italian ancestry, I know what my great grand parents faced when they immigrated.

When the minorities display an effort to stay in school, marry the mother of their children, avoid gang membership, stop killing themselves, then I will have more empathy for them, because it's a culture that they have created for themselves.

If that makes me a racist with while privilege, fragility, or the next made up term to avoid rational discussion, so be it.

 

[NCSteelerfan]

G, you're an incredible source of football knowledge that I enjoy reading, but you're carrying enough white guilt for the entire race. At some point everyone needs to be responsible for their own actions, good and bad.

Minorities have never in the history of this country had the opportunities for advancement that they do today. Before accusing others for their plight in life, perhaps some self reflection and cleaning their own house is in order.

I admit to having no idea what it's like to be black and living in an inner city, but being a 3rd generation American of Italian ancestry, I know what my great grand parents faced when they immigrated.

When the minorities display an effort to stay in school, marry the mother of their children, avoid gang membership, stop killing themselves, then I will have more empathy for them, because it's a culture that they have created for themselves.

If that makes me a racist with while privilege, fragility, or the next made up term to avoid rational discussion, so be it.

Well this post isn't fraught with generalizations and stereo types.

I will watch football regardless, and cheer the Steelers on as always. As far as standing or kneeling for the flag, I can see both points as I hold respect for what the flag stands for, as well as ones first amendment rights.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

Well this post isn't fraught with generalizations and stereo types.
.

Tell me specifically where it is factually incorrect. I admitted to not knowing what it's like to be black, but also know the discrimination my family faced when coming to this country and what they did to overcome it.

What is the graduation rate from high school in the black community, the percentage of fatherless families, the number of black on black killings? These factors play a role in the success of anyone, regardless of the pigmentation of ones skin.

Honestly not trying to stir the pot, but personal responsibility goes a long way to making a success of yourself. Self pity and pandering are political, opportunities are there if the effort is made.

 

[Steel Ballin]

Yea, you're right. Why would a devout christian not pray while he's kneeling. And you fail to recognize where he says it's not about the military and the people who serve our country.

Keep making excuses. I'm sure this problem will just go away on its own...

What YOU fail to recognize is, .. he is too stupid to realize that it is about the military and the people who serve this country. Apparently you are in the same boat.

 

[slashsteel]

What YOU fail to recognize is, .. he is too stupid to realize that it is about the military and the people who serve this country. Apparently you are in the same boat.

Some people want to sell us on their agenda. But the agenda of soldiers giving up their lives so everyone can be free will trump a Marxist agenda 10 out of 10 times. As someone suggested give them some time before the Anthem plays. Then stand and respect the flag it is a win win for both sides. And a doable compromise.

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[Hypocycloids]

Nice instance. Let's start talking about the KKK. I can write a freakin book on their atrocities toward black americans.

WTF??? I suppose that quote from Ann Coulter would apply here....." You can never win a debate with a liberal because they jump from one inane point to another so you can never nail them."

The KKK is nearly extinct and irrelevant in this conversation The handful that exist are content knowing blacks have killed more blacks than the KKK could ever dream of.

The two leaders of the BLM are avowed communists. Look it up. What they care about are not black lives but how many useful idiots including white guilt liberals they can sucker in. You are much appreciated.

A black life taken by a white cope creates the greatest divisiveness. Then there's the kneeling .Are you that blind not to see this?

 

[ZonaBurgh]

I apologize for straying off topic a little, but perhaps this belongs in P&R, even if it is specifically a Steeler issue.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

I really hope all the whiners that claim they will not go to games are season ticket holders that put their money where their mouth is and don’t renew their ticket packages. Trust me others will fill your seat (at least they will post Covid 19), you won’t be missed.

If you get so damn butt hurt that someone shows opposition to institutionalized racism and police brutality through kneeling during an anthem ya really need to look in a mirror and assess your values as a person when symbols are more important than lives. News flash all ya fine privileged folks of this board...the league is majority black players. This shouldn’t be that hard to figure out.

 

[SCSteeler4life]

I really hope all the whiners that claim they will not go to games are season ticket holders that put their money where their mouth is and don’t renew their ticket packages. Trust me others will fill your seat (at least they will post Covid 19), you won’t be missed.

If you get so damn butt hurt that someone shows opposition to institutionalized racism and police brutality through kneeling during an anthem ya really need to look in a mirror and assess your values as a person when symbols are more important than lives. News flash all ya fine privileged folks of this board...the league is majority black players. This shouldn’t be that hard to figure out.

Doesn't that make the league racist in today's upside down world ? If roughly 73% of the US population is white shouldn't the league be at the very least 50% white, you know that's only fair. What about all of those poor white guys that want to play in the NFL ?
Shouldn't we have affirmative action in all sports leagues, it is a workplace.