The NFL seems to have become the flashpoint for social justice.
Every sports analyst and athlete seems to have a “hot take” about how teams should operate.
One coach broke ranks from left-wing media orthodoxy and said he wasn’t pleased with the activist trend he’s seeing.
Long-time Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan, who’s currently in between jobs, said people need to stand for the anthem and unite as a country.
From Breitbart:
Former assistant NFL coach Rob Ryan said Tuesday that Americans need a dose of being proud of our country and supporting the president.
Ryan, the twin brother of former Buffalo Bills and New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, added on Fox Sports 1’s “The Herd” that people need to stand for the national anthem because it is respecting the country’s flag and those who died for it.
“I think in the national anthem is for our entire country,” Ryan told host Colin Cowherd. “You know, my father served in the Korean War. I was brought up to respect the flag, respect the veterans, you know, they’re giving up their life for this flag.”
“I think the whole country needs a dose of, ‘Hey, let’s be proud of our country. Let’s stand behind our president. Let’s do things. Do we have other issues? Absolutely we do. Now’s not the time to do that. This is the national anthem. It’s not just each sideline standing up for the national anthem, it’s the entire stadium, all right. You’re standing up for America, you’re standing up for the flag and everybody should do that,” he continued.
[…]
“I think that’s not the time and place to do that…I think you really have to have a heart-to-heart with these players and say, ‘Look, can you do this in another forum?’ I really think you need to.”
Ryan’s stance has somehow morphed into a controversial opinion, which is a scary sign of how the left is winning the culture war.
Last year, the mainstream media had been reasonably divided on protesting the anthem. Now they almost monolithically view Colin Kaepernick as a martyr, and a growing number of journalists have questioned the presence of the National Anthem at sporting events at all.
The growing trend of anti-Americanism is not good for the soul of the country. The left makes hollow claims of love for the country, yet does everything in its power to deconstruct it at every level.
This past 4th of July, several public media figures proudly proclaimed their disdain for “oppressive” America, often with expletives.
The great irony is no other country affords them America’s level of comfort and freedom to espouse their hateful views.
Rob Ryan might transition into television as he awaits another coaching opportunity, but he may have to tone down the pro-America rhetoric to fit in at outlets like ESPN.