Please, no more of this!
MORE OF THIS!
A Sad Display
Many of us loyal football fans were sickened, when we began witnessing members of many NFL teams, disrespecting America by 'taking a knee'.
We had hoped that no one from Our Team would go there, but they did...teams which we have followed and loved since we were kids with heroes, had players follow suit.
When this all began in 2016, many thought that the disrespectful display by one lone player, Colin Kaepernick, 'taking a knee' during the National Anthem, was a fleeting thing, a little tantrum on his part and would be properly dealt with and put to rest.
After Sunday's sad display, 9/24/17, a year later, it is very clear that this has not been put to rest, far from it. For many, it has gone beyond being sickened by it, to feeling moved to turn off and tune out and we have!
Kids are watching too and they respond to what they see and what they hear.....that which is in front of them, in these cases...their role models and heroes.
You know that things have gone too far, when you see the little guys, Pop Warner kids:
- acting and doing as their role models
- mimicking their heroes
- taking a knee, thinking that America isn't worthy of their respect or of their attention, not even for just a few short minutes
What are they learning from the sports figures that have made the choice to do this?
What Statement is made by kneeling, sitting or whatever... during the National Anthem?
Is the National Anthem not a time for reflecting on America?
A time for remembering the sacrifices of the many, to provide us with this opportunity to reflect on America, {not because we have a gun to our heads and are forced to by some Dictator, but rather because...WE DON'T} due to the selfless sacrifice of many, over many decades.
- People of all colors, races, ethnicities and religions have lost limbs, many are bilateral amputees
- Many have lost their eyesight or their hearing
- Many have lost their minds and so have lost their way
- Quality of Life has been lost by many, due to too much time away from their loved ones
- Many have lost their Lives
Defending that glorious Flag...inspired by that rich and meaningful National Anthem...which belongs to All of us, To All Americans!
Those wishing to make a Statement about what they see as unfair treatment in America, have many choices (after all, this is STILL America):
- Have a Press Conference
- Go before Congress with a list of your grievances (the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, just after the part about "peaceable assembly"..."petition the Government for a redress of grievances.")
- Write an Op-Ed
- Hit all of the Talk Shows and make your case
- Don't play football for the NFL or on any other team which makes you feel oppressed
On the turf, in your uniform, about to do the job that you once dreamed of doing and now are doing, in the presence of your fans; men, women and children that support you, root for you, admire you...is not the time or the place!
By doing this, you are disrespecting your fans, America and ALL that have fought, all that are fighting present day and all that made the greatest sacrifice of all, with their Lives.
You are not accomplishing a thing, you're only losing support, you are losing fans and you are giving your Teams a bad name.
KIDS ARE WATCHING!
Be Adults.
NFL, NBA, MLB Players, Hollywood, Politicians.... like it or not, whether you've asked for it or not, you play a vital role in many kid's lives.
Will they grow up realizing that the horizon is wide and their opportunities vast or will they grow up with a giant chip on their shoulder?
Will they look at you and say "I can do that, I'm disciplined, I'm capable" or will they look at you and say "Why should I even bother?"
Take the high road!
They are looking to you, many have no love or support in their homes, you are all they have and it doesn't matter if you accept it, it is a fact.
Do the right thing.
Borrowed from SOUNDING BOARD
Last year I made the decision to boycott NFL games, I didn't make a big deal out of it and I did not ask anyone to join me.
It was a personal decision.
In addition to what I saw as blatant disrespect toward this Country and toward all that Defend her, I also thought about the impact that this defiant Act would have on kids.
Sports figures are role models and the young and impressionable are always watching and observing.
When Colin Kaepernick made the decision to 'take a knee' during the National Anthem, it really hit a nerve with me, as I know it did with many.
When others followed his lead and it began to spread throughout the league, into other sports, eventually making its way into youth sports, it angered me.
I knew that not a single positive thing could or would come from it!
Here we are in the pre-season of a new year and it has already begun, many players, once again, choosing to sit it out, take a knee, huddle up, once again, turning their backs on America, during the National anthem.
When I read the story of the High School football Coach, fired for taking a knee, for no other reason than a simple Prayer of Thanks at the end of a game, it got me to thinking...
What if each time I witness, a player 'taking a knee', 'sitting it out', 'turning their back', I think of Coach Kennedy, fired for the defiant act of...Giving Thanks...and what if, I say a prayer, in his stead?
Whether it be a prayer of Thanks, a prayer for clarity or a prayer for those Defending our Rights, I will be offering a prayer that this Coach has been deprived of offering.
My focus will be on something positive and hopefully, something positive will result!
What if all of America did the same?
Where do we go from here?
What I'd prefer, is for this inappropriate display to not continue and for America's game to be just that...a game!
A time when we put the stress and strain from the week behind us, fire up the grill, put our kids and grandkids into the jersey of what we hope will be their favorite team, as it has always been for us and enjoy one of our favorite pastimes.
IF that cannot happen, because a few will not allow it to happen, then each time they choose to 'take a knee', I'm going to take the advice shared and offer a prayer for healing of our Divided Nation.
Taking something negative and divisive and turning it into a positive!
Could say...Praying it Forward!
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