Protect protesting players; NFL more to blame
Zach Horowitz ’19
When President Donald Trump tweeted during the second week of the regular NFL season criticizing the players for taking a knee during the National Anthem, the movement was already dying down. But when he opened his mouth (or rather, logged into his Twitter account), Trump fed fire to a dwindling flame, resulting in an eruption. Players felt Trump had attacked their First Amendment rights. And he had.
Although NFL players, while playing, are technically in the workplace, the First Amendment still protects them from being fired for protesting.
Catherine J. Ross, a professor specializing in constitutional law at the George Washington University of law, said in an interview with ForTheWin.com, “The Supreme Court held as early as during World War II that citizens have the right not to salute the flag as a matter of conscience and clearly by analogy that would apply to not participating in the singing of the national anthem.”
Now, it’s okay to feel offended by the players’ protest. No one says everyone has to agree with taking a knee during the National Anthem. But just because an action is deemed offensive by some people, does not mean Trump can prohibit people from protesting. In fact, the 1989 Supreme Court ruled in the Texas v. Johnson case: “If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.”
If you care about respecting the flag, you really shouldn’t be offended by the players who are exercising their First Amendment right to protest. Instead, be offended by the NFL because they are the organization upholding practices that actually disrespect the flag.
That’s right. Every time the NFL stretches the American flag horizontally across the field during the National Anthem, they are actually violating Section 176 of U.S. Flag Code of Conduct that states: “The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.”
The U.S. Flag Code of Conduct consists of a set of rules and guidelines that are technically federal laws that have no punishment for anyone who fails to comply with the guidelines.
Further, the Flag Code states that “no part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.”
Nevertheless, flag patches are affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations. The NFL sells football jerseys with not just one American Flag on them, but with a whole theme of the jersey being the American Flag. This too violates the federal Flag Code of Conduct.
So, while the NFL has repeatedly violated the U.S. Flag Code of Conduct, no one has openly expressed any outrage. Yet, when athletes decide to utilize their constitutionally protected right to protest, everyone freaks out.
If you hate the athletes’ protest, fine. But don’t attack, penalize or fire them. Show your true respect and patriotism for this great country by upholding the First Amendment and protecting their right to protest.
Kneeling during Anthem disrespects veterans
Zach Strober ’19
The flag of the United States of America has been a symbol of freedom, liberty and human rights since the founding days of our country. Standing for and partaking in the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” at sporting events has become a way for U.S. citizens to show respect towards the past and present members of the Armed Forces who sacrifice their lives to protect the rights, liberties and freedoms we are able to enjoy every day.
With a wide range of players in the National Football League taking a knee during the “Star Spangled Banner,” a message of disrespect for those who serve and protect America is being amplified across not only America but the rest of the world.
This sign of disrespect should not be acceptable anywhere in our country, on or off the football field. The lack of respect shown for the men and women who so bravely sacrifice their lives for our safety is not something that we should take lightly.
Although I agree with the intent of the NFL players who are kneeling for the National Anthem, which is to take a stand against social injustices and police brutality, I believe that there are much better ways they can go about it.
For example, when NFL teams link arms during the National Anthem it sends a stronger and clearer message of equality and unity. The linking of arms shows that they all have each others backs and will help to solve the social injustices they are protesting together, without disrespecting anyone.
In addition, players should become activists outside of football. They should use their fame to help gain support for groups that advocate for social equality. The Philadelphia Eagles’ safety Malcolm Jenkins and wide receiver Torrey Smith, along with retired wide receiver Anquan Boldin and Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett, wrote a letter to the NFL asking for help in campaigning for criminal justice reform and social equality.
The activism exemplified by these four players has the potential to incite actual change in the community and does so without disrespecting anyone who has fought bravely to protect our liberties, freedoms and rights.
NFL players should also follow the lead of what Colin Kaepernick has done outside of football to help inspire change. Although he was the first to kneel for the anthem, Kaepernick has also “put his money where his mouth is” by donating over $800,000 to help empower oppressed communities.
