[LOCKED] Peppers kneels during national anthem

Submitted by bleeker on

Per ESPN: http://es.pn/2imwV4m Tough, smart player with great situational awareness.

MOD EDIT - Left it overnight so people could get it out of their system. Went about as well as you would think - LSA

jared32696

August 21st, 2017 at 10:06 PM ^

So dumb. When can we stop being divisive and come together? Im tired of the infighting. ALL of us are in this together. If you see someone being targeted or unfairly punished, stand UP and protect them. Dont take a knee. Neg if you feel the need. Everyone is a brother to me

Mr. Yost

August 21st, 2017 at 10:23 PM ^

Maybe you should take a look at the picture.

There's a white player kneeling and other (white) players supporting the black players. At least for these men, it's not a black or white issue anymore.

Even if you're talking about a handful of people...it's made those handful a people think, reevaluate, and face topics that have existed in our country forever.

And these players didn't shoot anyone, they didn't drive a car into anything, they didn't fight...and look how it affected people on their team. That's kind of powerful.

For you to say it's accomplished nothing is flagrant. I know of, and have seen a lot of postive conversation, progress, togetherness, understanding (even if not in agreement) over these "protests." 

Maybe it hasn't changed you or changed the entire world...but it has changed some people. For you to suggest that it's done nothing is wrong and disrespectful to those who've used this as an opportunity to grow as a human being - regardless of race, gender, religion.

NowTameInThe603

August 21st, 2017 at 11:01 PM ^

I cant even address your whole post because you went all over the map. "shoot anyone" "drive a car into anything" what the hell? I am not condemning anything.

I said it didnt accomplish anything. Is there a bit of exagerration with that ya but my point is really that I do not think it is nearly as effective as these players think. I think there are more effective means of sending a message. 

Mr. Yost

August 21st, 2017 at 11:41 PM ^

Then say you think there are more effective means of sending a message. People may read this thread and assume I feel a certain way about this topic...but actually, you know what? I would've agreed 100% with that statement. But it's not what you originally said.

You said, and I quote, "players continue to do it and get absolutely nothing accomplished."

You say I'm all over the map, but those are two totally different statements (and opinions for that matter).

And to my point...since I have to break it down for you. They are not being violent. Shooting people, running cars into people, etc. are violent ways of trying to send your message/protest/etc. Kneeling during a football game is non-violent. I seriously can't believe I had to break that down or connect those dots.

war-dawg69

August 22nd, 2017 at 12:30 AM ^

Ya what the fuck is the message. I don't like my country!. I want to disrespect a long standing tradition showing pride in one's country and those that molded, sacrificed and gave their lives. I wonder what a wwll veteran who was at Normandy and lost ten friends in a matter of seconds thinks of people showing great disrespect to the flag. I have zero contact with the police because I obey the law and do not conflict with them. I have had my fill of people disrespecting the flag and a long standing tradition. You disrespect my flag and pride in my country I have zero respect for you. Find another forum to air your greivances. Most of these idiots knelling or raising there fists during the national anthem are totally misinformed and just blindly follow. I'd like to ask Peppers why he is kneeling during the national anthem. I would like him to explain the circumstances of the situation he is protesting. But really I would like to know what disrespecting the flag has to do with any of that. Ya I have total contempt for the country that pays me millions for tackling people and running around with a ball. Ya I would shit all over flag, the founding fathers, veterans and my country even though that country rewards me ten times over for being a good athlete. If you can't respect the flag, the laws, the president and the constitution of the united states of america please feel free to leave.

Mr. Yost

August 22nd, 2017 at 12:50 AM ^

Why did you respond to my post?

Sidenote: Your comment about zero contact with the police holds no water if you're white - which I can only assume you are.

If you're black, yes...you can be obeying the law just like war-dawg69 and STILL get pulled over, harrassed, etc. In fact, you're much more likely to.

Even if you're doing the limit, no lights out, using all signals, etc. - there's still a much higher chance. Just like there's a higher chance of you being followed around a store or someone calling the police on your just because you're in an affluent neighborhood.

So chill with all of that BULLSHIT acting as if everyone did what you do there would be no problems.

"Find another forum to air your greivances" - sorry sir, you don't make the rules. Get over it. I don't know what else to tell you I hate that Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sunday's...but you know what, that's just how it is.

And wait, why are they idiots? Because of all those posts in this thread - yours is definitely one of the 5-10 most uneducated - and it's not because you have a strong opinion.

And no, no one needs to leave (well at least not for expressing free speech). We don't all have to think like you. That's AMERICA.

People say that all the time "then you can leave!" But now that I think about it...why don't you find a country that aligns with your views, go there, and then you'll never have to worry about people thinking differently because it'll be against their laws. It's not againsts ours and it will NEVER be. You sound like you'd be much happier where everyone was raised to think like you, where people are persecuted if they don't think like you. Do some research, maybe you can find a Match.com for countries that align with your values. 

ProTip: It ain't The United States of America.

MGoStrength

August 22nd, 2017 at 7:16 AM ^

If you're black, yes...you can be obeying the law just like war-dawg69 and STILL get pulled over, harrassed, etc. In fact, you're much more likely to.

I haven't found this to be the case. I was just discussing this the other day. I'm not sure how can prove this anyways. But, personally I think if you look like like a thug, you'll have more trouble regardless of race. If you're driving a car with a loud exhaust, a bunch of after market additions, loud music, a hoodie, late at night, etc. you're probably going to get profiled. That's not being racist IMO. If you present yourself as a clean cut, responsible person, abiding by the rules, and being respectful and it's not late at night, I doubt you'll run into too many problems regardless of race.

Farnn

August 22nd, 2017 at 12:54 AM ^

You say people who are taking a political stand during the anthem are blind followers and then celebrate those who automatically follow traditions and stand during the anthem?  Do you read the cognitive dissonance you type?  

And why does kneeling mean they have contempt for their country?  Maybe they have issues with their county and want to work to fix them?  And why do you think the country you are so proud of rewards them the same way it rewards you?  You say you have no interaction with the police.  Well, do you get pulled over for driving because of the color of your skin?  What about calling to report a crime and having the cops show up and think you're guilty?  Or have a cop stop you because you are in a neighborhood where most people have different color skin than you?

And your last sentence about leaving the country if you don't respect the country, the flag, and the constitution shows that you are the one who should leave.  Because you may say you respect them, but your words convey a total disrespect for what they actually stand for.

ijohnb

August 22nd, 2017 at 6:58 AM ^

is like the complete 180 degree opposite of "communist bullshit." Do you even know what communist means? Perhaps the anthem protest will do some good, it could result in you actually learning-anything about the country you purport to identify with. Not a day goes by that I am not shocked at how many people are so genuinely twisted right now. It DOES NOT matter whether you agree with him, it matters that he is allowed to do it. He is not hurting anybody, he is not infringing on anybody else's rights, he is not advocating violence toward any group or anybody, he is not even necessarily claiming high ground. All he is doing is exercising a right that so many seem ready to take away in the name of 'merica. Twisted, that is the best word for it.

M Ascending

August 22nd, 2017 at 7:42 AM ^

Right. It's just a football game. So, maybe we shouldn't even play the national anthem and there would be no controversy. We don't play it at the theater, which is purely for entertainment, so why bring nationalism into sporting events?

And BTW, I was an undergrad here during the Vietnam war, and there were whole sections that sat through the national anthem, as it was our right to do. And those protests, coupled with many others, changed the course of history. Whether you agree with our politics or not, the fact is that the protests raised public awareness and clearly had an effect on national policy.

BlueWolverine02

August 21st, 2017 at 11:43 PM ^

care to give an example of a more effective way to send a message? mind you that players kneeling during the anthem is a hot topic in the media, so it gets discussed on the radio, on message boards, on tv. It has created a national discussion. what do you think would be more effective than what is currently being talked about all over the country for the past year?

The Pope

August 21st, 2017 at 10:59 PM ^

Standing up to the anthem isn't accomplishing anything?  Its paying respect to the men and women who have served and sacrificed for this country, including my father, stepfather, uncle and brother.

I am all for free speech, and I will never criticize players for kneeling, but to say that standing doesn't accomplish anything...get your head out of your ass!

 

Vengeful Barbarian

August 21st, 2017 at 11:12 PM ^

standing up for the anthem doesn't accomplish anything when everyone has to do it. It's not a choice, it is expected of everyone. those that dare protest, like Kaepernick, end up being blackballed and run out of the league despite having more than enough talent to play.

JamieH

August 22nd, 2017 at 2:51 AM ^

They have now made it a federal crime if you don't stand during the playing of the national anthem BEFORE A F'ING MOVIE.  Talk about some lunatic bullshit.  People were actually beating each other up over this a while back.  Dunno if it has settled down now. 



Just thought I'd show how absurd some people would like to take the whole forced nationalistic crap.   I'm not against standing for the National Anthem at all and think it is a great gesture   But the day anyone makes it REQUIRED in this country is the day I tell them to go f*** themselves. 

OwenGoBlue

August 22nd, 2017 at 2:09 AM ^

The idea was applying the same logic used to say creating conversations about issues in America is accomplishing nothing.

I served and don't agree that the flag and anthem = the military, but I could have made my point better.

desmondcharles

August 21st, 2017 at 11:38 PM ^

I'm a vet ...Read the 3rd verse of the anthem that was omitted. The players kneeling doesn't disrespect me one bit nor does the ones standing honor me . I served so both could have the right to do whichever they choose .

Brian8603

August 21st, 2017 at 11:53 PM ^

And how does failing to stand not "pay respect" or worse, constitue the opposite?  Either way, it requires basically zero effort or real thoughtfulness, and changes absolutely nothing. I won't go so far as to claim that symbolic gestures have no value, but people shouldn't ascribe deeper meanings to what are basically token gestures that people are heavily coerced into performing, less they be accused of being against the troops or insufficiently patriotic. I appreciate everything people who have served or are currently serving do for the country, and they will always get my personal thanks and support, but some folks (and to be clear not you personally, thinking of some of the people who went apeshit over Kapernick) are basically just demanding conformity for conformity's sake.

(Oh Shit. Did I just make a political comment? I'm pretty new here. Going to go ahead and make the assumption that the Mods will nuke this whole thread....)