With the start of the NFL's regular season less than a month away, the issue of social justice protesting is a popular topic with sports media. Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown says he respects individuals' right to protest, but personally he would respect the flag by standing tall. Two members of the defending world champion Philadelphia Eagles, Michael Bennett and Malcolm Jenkins, are among the leading suspects for protest in the season ahead
Last night Brown spoke before the premiere of HBO's "Hard Knocks," and said, "I'll never kneel and I will always respect the flag." As reported by Tom Withers of the Associated Press, Brown says it's not a matter of what you can do constitutionally, but what you should do:
"We're talking about freedom to express one's self, and if you don't break any rules then you have that particular right."
"I am not going to denigrate my flag and I'm going to stand for the national anthem. I'm fighting with all of my strength to make it a better country, but I don't think that's the issue. Because what is the top side? Are you not going to stand up? This is our country, man."
Most sports media writing on the topic of protest support the NFL players' defiance. Washington Post sports writer Cindy Boren says "decision time is nearing," and asks, "Will NFL players resume demonstrations during the playing of the national anthem?"
Listing the options for players, Boren says they can resume protesting or hold off until the NFL and the NFL Players Association reach an agreement on what behavior will and what won't be permitted. They're negotiating the issue now. If there is protest again this year, those players will have the overwhelming support of the biased Left-stream media.
Jenkins and Bennett said they haven't yet decided what to do, but we will find out soon because Thursday night the Eagles play the Steelers in an exhibition game. These are two of the most outspoken, ardent social justice warriors in pro football and what they do may set the tone for the season. Or until the league and players' union reach an accord.
Bennett protested last year as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, and has since been traded to Philly. Jenkins raised his fist for most of the season. After helping form the SJW group, the Players' Coalition, and coaxing the NFL to give it $89 million, he stopped his protest. Jenkins said the Players' Coalition was planning to issue an op-ed on the subject today, but an internet search has not turned up anything yet. Last Octobery, Jenkins wrote:
“I’ve heard people say that my colleagues and I are un-American and unpatriotic. Well, we want to make America great. We want to help make our country safe and prosperous. We want a land of justice and equality. True patriotism is loving your country and countrymen enough to want to make it better.”
Jenkins also says NFL players are getting more active off the field (where it belongs). “Guys are starting to find different avenues, different ways they can contribute. People are beginning to see this is bigger than just the two minutes of the national anthem.”
USA Today is a big fan of SJW activism in the NFL and last week Lindsay H. Jones reported: "One by one across the NFL Wednesday, several players jogged out to training camp practices wearing matching black T-shirts with the message '#SchoolsNotPrisons' printed across the front, with a drawing of three children behind bars." Among those players were a group of New England Patriots appearing in the photo above.
No matter the type of protest, it's not doing the NFL any favors. Dove-tailing two years of player protests, NFL television ratings have declined by 9 percent in each of the last two seasons and the league's approval ratings are in freefall.
