Imagine if our soldiers had taken a knee and failed to stand up to defend our country and our freedoms. Luckily, our soldiers did stand up to fight. They stood up, they fought, and that is why today Americans are able to have the life they have today. That life today that includes football. That life today that is now a life of freedom. Unfortunately, this past weekend several football teams showed their lack of gratitude for their freedom by not standing up for the American flag and National Anthem.
Interestingly enough, all players failing to stand up for the National Anthem should be fined and or suspended. All players taking a knee should be fined as players are fined and or suspended for being guilty of several violations. These violations are listed in the Official NFL Game Operational Manual. This manual states that players must stand on the field while the National Anthem is being played. Players must stand at attention during the Anthem. Players must face the flag and refrain from talking during the National Anthem. Players must also hold their helmets in their left hand. Furthermore, players can be fined for dancing in the end zone. Players can even be fined for praying on the field. Ask Tim Tebow, he received that fine. Meanwhile, players across the country that failed to go out on the field for the National Anthem were not fined. Players on the field that kneeled and or didn't face the flag also were not fined. Why? Why was not one NFL player fined and or suspended for failing to respect our nation's flag? Why was not one NFL player fined and or suspended for failing to do what the NFL's own game operational manual demands of its players?
The NFL failed our nation this past weekend. The NFL also failed the American people. The NFL failed to discipline their players this past weekend and they will no doubt suffer the consequences. The consequences being that ticket sales will soon go down and television ratings will drop as well. I can't help, but wonder just how long it will take these self entitled dumb oaf football players to figure out that their taking a knee was a bad idea. It may be too late for these men. It may be too late. It may be too late for these men who have disrespected our flag and it maybe too late for football. Then again, I challenge the NFL that they stand up to the football players and owners that refused to stand for the flag by fining and or suspending each and every one of them. Fine these self entitled dumb dumbs and donate the money to charity. I'm quite sure the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria could use some help. I'm also quite sure the NFL players could use a little discipline. After all, NFL players really should abide by their own rules, don't you think?
-Sean Bianca GOPGIRL 2017