Taking A Knee

Yesterday morning, I pulled myself out of bed and groggily made my way to the kitchen coffee pot. While catching up on some job-related paperwork, I downed three cups of the mental stimulant. I was almost fully awake as the 9:30 kickoff approached between the Ravens and Jaguars. I prepared the finishing touches on my Fan Duel entries for the day and then kicked back in my recliner.

As "The Star Spangled Banner" emerged from the PA system at London's  Wembly Stadium, the TV cameras began to pan around to the sidelines of both teams. And then I saw what I was desperately hoping not to see. Several of the players on both teams were taking a knee. As the camera focused in on the Ravens sideline, it showed that former Raven, Ray Lewis, was taking two knees. (Kind of ironic that a guy who was involved in the double murder of two young black men is protesting brutality against young black men).

Before I go any further, let me throw out this disclaimer: I fully support the right for any American to peacefully protest. However, it doesn't mean that I have to agree with or like it.

This whole kneeling during the Anthem thing is a very sensitive subject for many people. I personally still get goosebumps every time I hear "The Star Spangled Banner". So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that it pisses me off when I see anyone intentionally sitting it out. I don't know, maybe I've got emotional issues. But I can't help the way I feel.

Supporters of the "kneel-down" will say that I'm missing the main point. To be fair, it's kind of hard to keep track of any point in this modern "controversy-du-jour" society. But from what I recall, this whole thing started with 49er's quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, taking a knee to protest police brutality against blacks. Personally, I think this narrative has been fueled by the media (aka Fake News) to generate the reactions we're seeing today. For instance, last year, twice as many whites were killed by police. But, in an effort to paint their own story, we're fed this narrative that the police are targeting only innocent young black men. The root of the problem is more complex, so it's largely ignored. Instead, the low-hanging fruit is picked and the police become the scapegoat for the problems in the black community. (I'm sorry, what was the main point again?)

I've talked about police brutality in the past. In a nut shell, I don't support rogue cops who take the law into their own hands. I have heard the first hand stories from people (mostly white, as shocking as that may sound) who have been roughed up by police. I'm not denying that it happens. However, I also believe that the overwhelming majority of cops are good people who perform a thankless but stellar job. But the stories of heroics and good things don't sell quite as well as the race-baiting ones.

Aside from all of this, sports and entertainment are supposed to give us a much needed break from all of the bullshit going on in the world. So, when I tune into a football game. the only thing that I want to anger me is a bad call by the ref or perhaps Joe Flacco's inability to scramble out of the pocket. But if my blood pressure is already at it's limit before kickoff, I think I'll have to pass.

Most NFL owners have come out in support of the protests. They almost have to put on a happy face and take the politically correct approach here. But you know damn well, that behind closed doors, they're fuming! In the upcoming days, they'll try their best to control the damage to their disgruntled fan base. But is it too late? Time will tell.

I feel bad for the potential impact that this is going to have on small business. The boycott of the NFL will ultimately affect bars, merchandisers and even grocery stores. Sunday football is a big deal for many of these folks. If the crowd dries up, it's inevitably going to affect their bottom line. But what do the players care? They've already got their millions.

This latest sideshow is being presented as a retaliatory jab at the President. Some may even say it's a "teaching moment". But when you take a knee during your country's national anthem in a foreign country, I see more as a Dixie Chicks moment.

Football has no doubt brought me some great times through years. But good things sometimes have to come to an end. So, to the NFL...........While I fully support your right to protest, I respectfully disagree with the manner in which you've chosen to do so. So, as we part ways, I ask you to give me the same courtesy while I take a knee on you...

kw