By Jim Johnson
From the Associated Press: “Ratings Crash for Vikings-Eagles NFC Championship Game, Jags-Pats Earn Lowest Early Game Rating Since 2013”
Television ratings for the National Football League continue to plummet, stadium attendance diminishes week after week, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell seems oblivious to the leagues deteriorating appeal among football enthusiasts.
It is true that the NFL has an abysmal history of dealing with on and off the field league violations. But it is the disgust with the league’s Commissioner, Roger Goodell’s less than vigorous argument denouncing employees (players) disrespect for the National Anthem and his failure to invoke section a62 63 of the NFL game operations manual, has kindled the indignation of once loyal fans.
Section a62 63 of the NFL game operations manual:
“The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.
During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.”
“It’s important to note the use of the word “may” here. The NFL is not considering punishing fines on players or teams who choose to kneel or stay in the locker room during the national anthem, the spokesperson says.” — Sean Gregory contributed to this report.
The importance of the word “may” is explicit to players/teams “…being on the field by the start of the National Anthem.” What then is the purpose of the rule as written when penalties go unenforced?
The players, coaches, and owners underestimated football enthusiast outrage over the intentional disrespect of the National Anthem and the consequences that followed.
Now we learn that “the revolution will be televised, that’s the word coming down from NBC Executives they will televise any player who chooses to protest the anthem during the Super Bowl.” NBC is encouraging the contempt for the Anthem and Flag by promising television exposure to any “player(s)” that protests during the Super Bowl.
The AMVET (American Veterans) submission of their Super Bowl advertisement, which asks everyone to “Please stand” was banned by the National Football League because it “could be considered a political statement.”
Initially, I thought Roger Goodall, the Administrative Head of the National Football league, lacked the testicle fortitude to enforce section a62 63 of the NFL game operations manual. Instead, he is a 200-million-dollar pampered, overpaid, liberal elitist, that has neither the courage nor the attributes necessary for governing the National Football League.
Shame on Commissioner Goodell and the operation he manages, and on NBC for politicizing the National Football league with intolerant, totalitarian tactics.
Your hatred for our countries Military Veterans and Law Enforcement comes through loud and clear.
