The NFL’s uphill battle against patriotism continues.
The anti-American anthem protests that greatly damaged the league’s brand were celebrated by the leftist media, which worsened the NFL’s reputation amongst its core fan base.
Now Donald Trump just made a statement about anthem protests that has the commissioner and NFL owners panicking.
Ever since free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick disgraced the American flag by kneeling during the signing of the Star-Spangled Banner, an ideological war has broken out with the NFL being the battleground.
People who love and appreciate America were disgusted by the display, but leftists championed Kaepernick and his fellow protesters as civil rights heroes.
The hero worship of anthem protesters was ridiculous because nobody’s rights were being violated.
Kaepernick and his band of kneelers claimed they were protesting police brutality against black people, but the Department of Justice under Barack Obama was already investigating the matter.
The DOJ found no evidence of racial bias in police shootings, which lined up with several studies on the issue.
That hasn’t stopped the left’s hysteria from spiraling out of control on the issue. Radical activists seem to be waiting with ghoulish eagerness for a black suspect to be gunned down by the police so they can swoop in and sow seeds of discord in the community.
In the midst of all this chaos spun by activists, the NFL sat on its hands as viewers walked out the door, or changed the channel.
After two years of inaction, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell finally stepped up to address the anthem issue.
He decided to compel players to stand if they chose to venture onto the field during the Star-Spangled Banner. If they disrespect the anthem, the players’ teams would be subject to a fine by the league.
However, if players remain in the locker room, their teams will suffer no penalty.
The left was unhappy about the rule change because they always believe they should be applauded for their protests.
But Donald Trump wasn’t happy about the rule change, either. Trump, along with many Americans, has been adamant about players respecting the flag.
At a rally in Montana, Trump said:
“I don’t want to cause controversy but how about they passed this stupid thing. You don’t have to do this anymore. If you don’t respect the flag or if you don’t like the country — or whatever it is — just go into the locker room…I think in many respects that’s worse. Isn’t this worse than not standing, you know? I think that’s worse.”
Trump and the majority of Americans respect the flag and disapprove of the players’ protests.
Anthem protesters have built a victimhood narrative, painting Trump and the NFL as fascists overlords infringing upon their rights.
What they fail to understand is they insult the country that protects civil liberties more vigorously than any other nation on the planet.
One would think the players would be appreciative of the freedoms and riches they enjoy because of the foundational principles of the American flag.
Instead, the players and the leftists who egg them on have contempt for America. They want to compare the country to an unattainable Utopia. That is why they’re always in search of a grievance, even if there is none to be found.