NFL players disrespect America when they take a knee during anthem

Apparently I spoke too soon.

A month ago I wrote a column about the Houston Texas surpassing the Denver Broncos as my favorite sports team. It was a reaction to a number of off-the-field actions – primarily kneeling during the national anthem – that irritated me. I was proud that the Texans refused to take a knee while the anthem was played, unlike many players and teams in the NFL, including the Broncos.

All of that changed Sunday when most of the Texans kneeled during the anthem in protest of comments team owner Robert McNair made during an owner’s meeting last week. My respect for the Texans took a serious nosedive when that happened. My respect for the NFL in general is tanking fast.

The protest arose after McNair was quoted as saying, “we can’t have the inmates running the prison” during an owner’s meeting to discuss player protests during the national anthem. Since then, McNair has issued two public apologies and has said he was not referring to his players as inmates.

I fully support the right of players to free speech and to make statements about various issues. It’s encouraging to know that the players feel strongly enough about important social issues to want to make a public statement.

I completely and wholeheartedly disagree with their chosen form of protest. Kneeling, or taking a knee, during the presentation of the flag and the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” sends only one clear message – disrespect for the country. It is not an acceptable form of protest. It does not convey any message but disrespect and disapproval of the United States of America, its people and the veterans who sacrificed everything on behalf of this country.

The players can say that they are protesting comments by a team owner or the social injustice of police brutality, but the message they send is directed squarely at America. It’s an insult against you, me, and every person who has served in the military.

I never served in the military, but I am an Eagle Scout. In my 40-plus years as a Scouter I have had a great deal of flag etiquette and patriotism drilled into me. I have studied this subject and taught many boys how to properly salute and care for the flag. Anything done to intentionally besmirch the flag or the anthem serves only to spit in the face of every American and those who gave their lives for our country.

The whole kneeling protest began last year when former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began sitting or kneeling while the anthem was played. He said it was in protest against police brutality, especially against blacks. A small handful of other players joined in his protest.

Earlier this year President Donald Trump created a firestorm about the issue when he tweeted his displeasure with the kneelers. That got a large number of NFL players to take a knee. It was in an owners meeting with league officials to discuss the matter that McNair made his unfortunate remark.

From my perspective, the players who are upset with “John” (representing the source of their protest) responded by kicking “George” (America) in the groin. They keep on kicking George in the hopes that John will reform. These players have followed Kaepernick’s example like so many lemmings off the side of cliff. (Maybe they should call the NFL “Nitwits Following Lemmings.”)

These players have many platforms from which they can make their protest. Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon simply wrote “Rozelle” on his headband when he had a beef with the late NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. He didn’t kneel during the national anthem or try to lead others in a protest. It made his point without insulting anyone else.

Between social media, player interviews, or by following McMahon’s example, the players wishing to make a statement can do so without degrading the very country and the sacrificed lives that gave them the right to protest.

I’ve also noticed that these same players who think it’s OK to disrespect the flag and national anthem do not use the occasion of their player introductions to kneel or make a statement. No, they’d rather bask in their own glory and take a dump on Old Glory.

My advice to these players would be to take a knee at the end of the game, not at the beginning. In the meantime I find myself struggling not only with team loyalty, but with loyalty to the NFL in general. Fortunately we have Major League Baseball to keep things fresh and interesting. If you haven’t noticed for the last couple weeks, the Houston Astros have really given us something to stand and cheer for.

By the time this column appears in print, the Astros will either be world champions or preparing to play Game 7 of the World Series. The way these games have been going, Astros fans are living on the edge of their seats – if they can sit at all! #GoAstros #HoustonStrong

Photos by Max Siker

Houston Texans players kneel during the national anthem Sunday before the game in Seattle. The players were protesting comments made by team owner Robert McNair at an owners meeting earlier in the week.