HaHa! Von Miller loses Phil Long dealerships!

[hurley842002]

but now people are "taking a knee" not so much to protest whatever-the-hell-it-was-that-Kaepernick-was-protesting, but rather as a way of saying 'screw you' to Trump. By inserting himself into this (because with Trump, it's always about HIM) every anti-Trump athlete can now make an anti-Trump statement by not standing during the anthem.

I agree with this, but what these player's saying "screw you Trump" fail to realize (or just don't care), is that 50% (possibly more if we are being honest) of the country voted for Trump, and that is a huge chunk of your fan base to be alienating (not saying all Trump supporters watch pro football, but the numbers would still be significant).

[Martinjmpr]

I agree with this, but what these player's saying "screw you Trump" fail to realize (or just don't care), is that 50% (possibly more if we are being honest) of the country voted for Trump, and that is a huge chunk of your fan base to be alienating (not saying all Trump supporters watch pro football, but the numbers would still be significant).

I think the players know exactly what they're doing. And yes, the "screw you" is not just for Trump, it's for the people who voted for him. If you have the stomach for it, go onto some lefty web pages or check your lefty family members facebook feeds - the only people they hate more than Trump are the people who voted for him.

As far as alienating the fan base, I doubt the athletes care. It's not like boycotting Chick-Fil-A and going to Wendy's instead - there's not another competing football league for people to watch. Are people really going to give up watching football altogether? A few - a very few - might, but most are so locked into the habit of watching every Sunday, Monday or Thursday that they're going to keep watching, no matter what the players do.

[Aloha_Shooter]

As far as alienating the fan base, I doubt the athletes care. It's not like boycotting Chick-Fil-A and going to Wendy's instead - there's not another competing football league for people to watch. Are people really going to give up watching football altogether? A few - a very few - might, but most are so locked into the habit of watching every Sunday, Monday or Thursday that they're going to keep watching, no matter what the players do.

You're right that the athletes don't care but more people than you think are in fact giving up watching football altogether -- or at least NFL football. Some will migrate to college football. Others will watch ice hockey. I have found other things to occupy my Monday nights and Sunday days and if I really want to watch some athleticism, look online for some rugby. In fairness, I gave up football a few years ago when even the Super Bowl commercials started to suck but for others, this has been the last straw.

[hurley842002]

You're right that the athletes don't care but more people than you think are in fact giving up watching football altogether -- or at least NFL football. Some will migrate to college football. Others will watch ice hockey. I have found other things to occupy my Monday nights and Sunday days and if I really want to watch some athleticism, look online for some rugby. In fairness, I gave up football a few years ago when even the Super Bowl commercials started to suck but for others, this has been the last straw.

Agree.

I had become a huge fan of the game itself, and not so much one team in particular (although would root for Denver when they were playing), but I just loved watching good football. All of that is behind me now, and if I want football I'll watch on Saturday (college).

A buddy of mine at work is quite possibly THE biggest Bronco fan I know, and even has a Bronco tattoo covering the majority of his back, after this weekend he is done, and has even expressed getting his tattoo covered by an American flag....

[Zundfolge]

A buddy of mine at work is quite possibly THE biggest Bronco fan I know, and even has a Bronco tattoo covering the majority of his back, after this weekend he is done, and has even expressed getting his tattoo covered by an American flag....

That makes me feel hopeful. But I feel bad for your friend ... losing one's religion is a difficult and often painful experience.

[Great-Kazoo]

Agree.

I had become a huge fan of the game itself, and not so much one team in particular (although would root for Denver when they were playing), but I just loved watching good football. All of that is behind me now, and if I want football I'll watch on Saturday (college).

A buddy of mine at work is quite possibly THE biggest Bronco fan I know, and even has a Bronco tattoo covering the majority of his back, after this weekend he is done, and has even expressed getting his tattoo covered by an American flag....

Red & white will not cover up Blue & 0range.

[hurley842002]

Red & white will not cover up Blue & 0range.

I will assume he isn't aware of this, laser removal, ouch!

[Martinjmpr]

You're right that the athletes don't care but more people than you think are in fact giving up watching football altogether -- or at least NFL football. Some will migrate to college football. Others will watch ice hockey. I have found other things to occupy my Monday nights and Sunday days and if I really want to watch some athleticism, look online for some rugby. In fairness, I gave up football a few years ago when even the Super Bowl commercials started to suck but for others, this has been the last straw.

I don't think the hardcore fans will turn off. And I don't even think people will turn off NFL because they disagree with the protests - instead, I think people who turn off will be the ones who are sick and tired of seeing politics pollute and defile even the simple pleasures of our lives.

If I invited someone over to a barbecue and they spent the entire time spouting off with their political beliefs, they wouldn't be invited back, even if I completely agreed with everything they said.

There ought to be some parts of our lives that are outside politics.

[Gman]

I don't think the hardcore fans will turn off. And I don't even think people will turn off NFL because they disagree with the protests - instead, I think people who turn off will be the ones who are sick and tired of seeing politics pollute and defile even the simple pleasures of our lives.

If I invited someone over to a barbecue and they spent the entire time spouting off with their political beliefs, they wouldn't be invited back, even if I completely agreed with everything they said.

There ought to be some parts of our lives that are outside politics.

Like + 1,000,000

I used to enjoy sports as an escape. Now it's more of the same. Even if you don't participate in something...you get accused of somehow being against it. I'm so sick of everything being politicized.

The NFL is dead to me until they knock this crap off.

[Dave_L]

I don't think the hardcore fans will turn off. And I don't even think people will turn off NFL because they disagree with the protests - instead, I think people who turn off will be the ones who are sick and tired of seeing politics pollute and defile even the simple pleasures of our lives.

If I invited someone over to a barbecue and they spent the entire time spouting off with their political beliefs, they wouldn't be invited back, even if I completely agreed with everything they said.

There ought to be some parts of our lives that are outside politics.

This.

There is a reason it used to be taboo to talk politics/religion with anyone other than close friends and family...and even then, it was debatable if it was appropriate to discuss.