First it was Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers. Then it was Brandon Marshall of the Denver Broncos. And in yesterday's official NFL season opener on 9/11, some Miami Dolphin players knelt and the Seattle Seahawks interlocked arms during the national anthem in protest of black oppression. It's out of control and it's time to put an end to disgracing our national anthem and America.
It's not just one reason. It's many.
1. It's not only disrespectful, but shows a pure lack of gratitude to a capitalistic system that gave these players everything they have. As I argued on HLN's Weekend Express Sunday morning against former NFL Super Bowl champion Jimmy Farris, Colin Kaepernick is a punk who got rich in a country under the protection of the military and the police. If it wasn't for them, he would not have the freedom, opportunity or money he has. To protest our national anthem is shameful and lacks class and character.
2. 99.9% of police officers and people in general are honest and caring, and do everything they can to be inclusive of all races. There will always be outliers, but they are the exception not the rule. These men and women put everything on the line every day for our safety and well-being. Who are you going to call to come help you in the middle of the night when the downstairs window breaks? How many of our fellow men and women have served overseas and paid the ultimate price? Show some respect.
3. It's not right to protest the national anthem ever, but especially on 9/11, a day that all Americans should hold close to their hearts. These may be some great football players, but it was a complete loss of judgement and a slap in the face to our great military men and women and all the innocent people who lost their lives in the most horrific attack on American soil. If you're in the military or a veteran, I can't even begin to imagine how this makes you feel. I'm grateful for all of you who served and I say thank you. The players who protested on 9/11 should have been kicked out of the game, if not pro football for good.
4. Colin Kaepernick and all these pro football players are supposed to be role models to our kids. They're teaching them that it's ok to disrespect your country and not stand for the pledge or national anthem. Now you have 15-year-old high school football players refusing to stand, most who probably don't even understand why they are standing. They see Kaepernick and these other guys doing it, so they think it's cool to do it, too. Our youth are extremely impressionable. Good thing we have people in this country like Virginia Tech basketball coach Buzz Williams, who gathered his team in the school gym to meet with veterans and war heroes. The coach showed them firsthand why we stand for the national anthem. Good thing we also have people like Team USA Hockey Coach John Tortorella, who told his players if they don't stand for the national anthem, they are out for the entire game.
5. The opposing side likes to say it's Freedom of Speech. Of course you are allowed freedom of speech in this country, but don't disrespect your national anthem and everything it stands for. That's shameful. Don't disrespect your fans and employer. You want your freedom of speech, go stand on the street corner on Monday morning and hold up a sign, hold a press conference or start a foundation for your cause. You can have freedom of speech without disrespecting the Star-Spangled Banner.
When Brandon Marshall of The Denver Broncos protested the national anthem, the Air Academy Federal Credit Union yanked his sponsorship. It's time for Colin Kaepernick to start suffering the consequences, too. Hopefully the ABC television network won't reward him by putting him on 'Dancing with The Stars' like it did disgraced American Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte. Sadly, Kaepernick is being rewarded, and the reward is coming in the way of increased sales of his jersey. It's a sad day when people are supporting this clown.
So what happens now? It's time for Colin Kaepernick and all these other players who refuse to stand for the national anthem to grow up and get some American pride. They're an embarrassment to football. They're an embarrassment to the military and police. They're an embarrassment to America.