I am not a big vocal opponent against the NFL, but I have turned it off. Between the protest commentary/analysis, the length of games and the substantial lack of competitiveness from my team (Bears), there is little-to-no interest to watch.

With regards to the protests, the NBA, NHL and MLB have not had the same issues. The NBA even has rules in place explaining discipline for anyone that does not stand for the National Anthem. With regards to the owners and the NFL, I truly feel that - secretly - they enjoyed the attention that Kaepernick got last year by kneeeling. It was an added storyline that people were talking about, and kept interest in a losing franchise (49ers) relevant. However, I don't think that the owners or Goodell ever imagined this movement progressing to where we are today.

The struggle with these protests is two-fold: who is leading this movement (if it's Kaepernick, not only he is not employed, but he is not exactly communicating about it) and what exactly is being protested (the audience assumes it is for equality, injustice against minorities from law enforcement, etc. - but those that are sitting are not really explaining the why)? From an audience-perspective, it really appears that many are protesting just for the sake of protesting, but what is being protesting and how to you want to create change?

With the new movement of teams kneeling before the Anthem, and then standing during, is telling to me because it is reflective of the NFL acknowledging that kneeling for the Anthem has created a negative perception for the league and is wishing to find balance for its brand and image (between entertainment and protesting). An added negative perception for the NFL is that they do have rules that fine teams for not coming out to the Anthem, but won't impose it out of fear/respect for those protesting. It hurts the teams' image as well since the Steelers, as shown last week, were not even in agreement in how to protest or unite as one. You had players after the game voicing concern and displeasure about what they did.

(09-28-2017 08:10 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  The No Fan League is dead to me. I am over it. I already was watching less, and this has killed it. The surprising thing is, I don't even feel the urge to watch anymore. I couldn't even tell you who is winning or losing. I only know they lost me.

The last NFL game I watched start to finish was in the 1989 and it was the Stupor Bowl. I loved the game in the 60's & 70's before the players were overpaid and when they actually found the championship money to be a significant perk. Johnny Unitas, Frank Gifford, Daryle Lamonica, Len Dawson and Fran Tarkenton made my Sunday afternoons enjoyable. Heck, I even enjoyed Howard Cosell, although I thought Kirk Gowdy was the better listen.

The game was rough, kicks uncertain, and the competition at least looked and felt sincere. They seemed to play for the joy of playing and the thrill of winning. It could have been my projection but I don't think so. By the late 80's it was corporate, the personalities over hyped and the game tepid. They were beginning to look like the spoiled prima donnas we have today, rich, and more concerned over their endorsements than the game, and with little concern over the thousands they would make for a championship bonus compared to their multi million dollar contracts.

The same disdain I felt in the late 80's is now becoming familiar to me in the college game. We have players that are so unattached to the schools they play for it seems to me that their enthusiasm to play for the joy of beating a rival is gone. The fans do their best to cover it, but I see too many players today dogging it when they are down. I don't think they are worth the price of admission. The games still sell out in my region, but it's for the tailgating and social get togethers more than for the exhilaration of the games. If we are lucky we get a couple of games a year that the kids playing actually seem to be fired up about and I have to wonder if that is because they are being scouted by the pros or if they actually care if they beat the opposition. Again, it could just be me, but I don't think so.

It's kind of like being a bank teller. You know counterfeits when you see them because you know what the real thing looks and feels like. I grew up with real football. I played it. I watched it. I enjoyed it. What we have today doesn't look or feel the same.

Its spread to college athletics: https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...air-force/

Occurred on Military Appreciation night, UNM vs. Air Force

I'm curious as to why and when we started playing the national anthem prior to sporting events in the first place. I think we all know what country we are in and I know it's the customary thing to do now and I'm certainly not against it, just curious.

(10-01-2017 12:41 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  I'm curious as to why and when we started playing the national anthem prior to sporting events in the first place. I think we all know what country we are in and I know it's the customary thing to do now and I'm certainly not against it, just curious.

1918 World Series (World War One and all that).

http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/6957...n-magazine

I put little, actually no, stock in symbols and anthems and things like that.

I dislike forced, rote patriotism. If the players feel strongly enough to do this, more power to them.

I don't think the anthem should be played before sporting events involving private entities.

For the Olympics or other contests involving a "national team", sure, but not for Buffalo versus Jacksonville.

In any event, this is a non-issue for me.

(10-01-2017 01:09 PM)TerryD Wrote:  I put little, actually no, stock in symbols and anthems and things like that.

I dislike forced, rote patriotism. If the players feel strongly enough to do this, more power to them.

I don't think the anthem should be played before sporting events involving private entities.

For the Olympics or other contests involving a "national team", sure, but not for Buffalo versus Jacksonville.

In any event, this is a non-issue for me.

http://www.snopes.com/nfl-sideline-anthem/

(10-01-2017 08:59 AM)Sparty84 Wrote:  I have never been an NFL fan but I am definitely more interested in watching now. I am glad athletes that have a big stage and a lot of influence are working towards the common good for the american people. I am a gay white male who has seen oppression all of my life from racists and bigots and republicans and religion. I support anyone speaking out for equal treatment for all people. I absolutely agree with these players protesting the abuse that people of color get from police officers. I am horrified and up in arms every time an officer gets off for murder. Police officers murdering white people for no apparent reason would never be allowed. It should not be condoned because the victim of police homicide is black.

I also think that it is hypocritical for people to fly the flag of the treasonous confederacy and then be up in arms when someone disrespects the american flag in peaceful protest. I think the same thing applies when someone defaces the flag by putting this black stripe or that blue stripe on it or wears clothing that looks like the flag.

People confused the flag of the battle field that troops carried onto the field of battle to the flag of the confederacy.

As it is, fans vote with their pocket books. With 31% of avid fans polled said if they are more likely uninterested in the NFL if the players continue to protest? They said they would not be interested and stay home. That means 31% of the fans will not buy tickets which me a lost of revenue. With a lost of revenue? Teams will cut the very high priced players that they can't afford. Then, you will have a fight among players blaming each other for the lost of money.

As for the protesting, it has started to bleed down to the college level. Northwestern players locked arms yesterday.

(09-28-2017 04:34 PM)RutgersGuy Wrote:  

(09-27-2017 08:43 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Let me preface by saying my goal is not to get political here but could persistent boycotts on the NFL due to player Anthem Protests have a lasting effect not only on the popularity of the NFL but the college game as well?

Could the NFL's condoning of the protests lead to the formation of an upstart league that brands itself as a patriotic football league? I'm not talking about a league that on day 1 instantly competes with the older league but perhaps brings 20,000 or so to a game?

Good luck to the all white FB league, and not even the best white guys mind you.

Uncalled for.

(10-01-2017 08:59 AM)Sparty84 Wrote:  I have never been an NFL fan but I am definitely more interested in watching now. I am glad athletes that have a big stage and a lot of influence are working towards the common good for the american people. I am a gay white male who has seen oppression all of my life from racists and bigots and republicans and religion. I support anyone speaking out for equal treatment for all people. I absolutely agree with these players protesting the abuse that people of color get from police officers. I am horrified and up in arms every time an officer gets off for murder. Police officers murdering white people for no apparent reason would never be allowed. It should not be condoned because the victim of police homicide is black.

I also think that it is hypocritical for people to fly the flag of the treasonous confederacy and then be up in arms when someone disrespects the american flag in peaceful protest. I think the same thing applies when someone defaces the flag by putting this black stripe or that blue stripe on it or wears clothing that looks like the flag.

Is the primary purpose for the protests the police? Seems like they are misplacing their protest. Why don't these teams organize marches on the various city halls of the cities where the worst offenses happened? These are local issues btw.

(10-01-2017 08:59 AM)Sparty84 Wrote:  I have never been an NFL fan but I am definitely more interested in watching now. I am glad athletes that have a big stage and a lot of influence are working towards the common good for the american people. I am a gay white male who has seen oppression all of my life from racists and bigots and republicans and religion. I support anyone speaking out for equal treatment for all people. I absolutely agree with these players protesting the abuse that people of color get from police officers. I am horrified and up in arms every time an officer gets off for murder. Police officers murdering white people for no apparent reason would never be allowed. It should not be condoned because the victim of police homicide is black.

I also think that it is hypocritical for people to fly the flag of the treasonous confederacy and then be up in arms when someone disrespects the american flag in peaceful protest. I think the same thing applies when someone defaces the flag by putting this black stripe or that blue stripe on it or wears clothing that looks like the flag.

Interesting. Here's the question: which population are there more of?

1) Leftist non-NFL fans who are now interested in the NFL
2) Rightist NFL fans who are now going to stop watching the NFL

The NFL is making the gamble that there's a lot more in category 1. But most far left-leaning people I know have never been very interested in sports in general and I don't think this protest will change their mind.

Mostly in the NFL are nothing but over paid crybabies and felons right now.

MLB had their share of cheaters that hurt their image. Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire.

NBA do have their share of crybabies and felons.

College is getting to a point where you are on a team if you rape or beat a woman.

Sports need to clean their image up.

(10-01-2017 05:24 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  Interesting. Here's the question: which population are there more of?

1) Leftist non-NFL fans who are now interested in the NFL
2) Rightist NFL fans who are now going to stop watching the NFL

The NFL is making the gamble that there's a lot more in category 1. But most far left-leaning people I know have never been very interested in sports in general and I don't think this protest will change their mind.

I'm in Category 1. There is no political statement that would make me watch the NFL, or any other entertainment that bores me. The NFL bores me, from the constant over-analysis to the intrusive advertising to the ham-handed branding to the listless play (no one sings songs about "Mr. Field Goal Range").

The protests are a fad that will die soon enough. The best way to get people to do something is to tell them they can't do it. Once they have proved they can protest, the protests will die away.

Fans have very short memories. They complained about the strikes and said they would not go back. Attendance actually went up after the strikes.

(09-27-2017 10:50 PM)No Bull Wrote:  I am a huge fan of the sport. I started loving football in 1976... when I was about 8. The sport has multiple issues working against it. The biggest is CTE. The next is that today's young people are not into sports in general as much... and today's Mumford and Sons crowd probably prefers soccer. People don'tattend games as much, then glance at it on their HD TV while the post on Facebook or text a Friend. The next big issues is over saturation, there is too much football on TV. Then you take into consideration all the conference realignment. Maryland in the Big 10.. West Virginia in the Big 12... broken rivalries. Football is still king.. But heavy sits the crown.

Nice post + 1. Totally agree except for the fact that NFL football was telecast in black and white on a TV with an outside antenna in Yankee Stadium when I was a kid.

(10-01-2017 08:59 AM)Sparty84 Wrote:  I have never been an NFL fan but I am definitely more interested in watching now. I am glad athletes that have a big stage and a lot of influence are working towards the common good for the american people. I am a gay white male who has seen oppression all of my life from racists and bigots and republicans and religion. I support anyone speaking out for equal treatment for all people. I absolutely agree with these players protesting the abuse that people of color get from police officers. I am horrified and up in arms every time an officer gets off for murder. Police officers murdering white people for no apparent reason would never be allowed. It should not be condoned because the victim of police homicide is black.

You're falling for it. Hard statistics don't back these narratives.