I am Watching the NFL: Go Eagles!!
This year has been a tough year for the NFL. There was a study published in which 99% of the brains of the players studied showed the ravages of CTE. Many of the players who played during my younger years and who are my age are suffering. Some have passed away already. Andre Waters, Dave Duerson and Junior Seau were warriors in their playing days. They were not equipped to deal with the devastating effects of football on their bodies. It was stated that Andre Waters had the brain of a 65 year old man. An autopsy on the brain of Aaron Hernandez showed advance levels of CTE. I don't think it justifies his murderous behavior but the hits have consequences.
Colin Kaepernik has become the poster child for many activists who are now boycotting NFL games this year. There was a decrease in ratings last year. People have so many viewing choices with cable and various streaming apps. Also, the NFL has oversaturated the market. Sunday, Monday and Thursday night during prime time are too many nights for many people to watch. As long as the local markets support it, we will see the impact of the Kaepernik fans long term.
I understand why Colin took his stance of kneeling during the national anthem. The rate at which unarmed African American males were being murdered by police officers was his purpose. I was a little taken aback by his sudden social awareness because when he was taking his team to the Super Bowl and NFC Championship games, he had not time for protests. When he signed his $100 million contract he was one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the game. When he lost his starting job he had time to think about the bloodshed being inflicted by police officers.
Kneeling during the national anthem has caused a lot of friction recently from the President and NFL owners. Even Roger Goodell has tried to implement a rule where the players have to stand. I could care less about Donald Trump's anger. He referred to players exercising their right to free speech as 'sons of bitches'. This was before he recently ignored a bugle retreat call in Harrisburg and laughed and joked when he should have been saluting the flag. I have brothers that served in the military. My brother Gram lost many friends in a suicide bombing in Beirut. I respect the lives that were lost serving our country. I would have picked another means of protesting the murder of unarmed African American males.
We do live in a free country though. Our country was founded on the pretense of liberty for all. I can make this statement because people of color were considered property at the time. We have a continuing struggle with the anger of white males and the alt right who feel that they are losing relevance. The recent mass murders in Las Vegas were committed by a person who had wealth and reasons not to be angry. African Americans are angry at being shot down by sworn officers of the law. The murder of Philando Castile while his girlfriend was streaming on Facebook showed that we have a long way to go.
On Sundays though, I just want to watch football. I am a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. We are in search of our first Super Bowl win and I am excited about our young QB. We have been playing well and I do not want to mix politics with my fall enjoyment. I have not watched baseball since the Phillies have been playing poorly. Now that players have $200 million contracts in the NBA, I will not be watching much basketball either. I exercise my political ambitions at the ballot box. It will be interesting to see how the situation with the NFL plays out. Until then, go Eagles!!
Colin Kaepernik has become the poster child for many activists who are now boycotting NFL games this year. There was a decrease in ratings last year. People have so many viewing choices with cable and various streaming apps. Also, the NFL has oversaturated the market. Sunday, Monday and Thursday night during prime time are too many nights for many people to watch. As long as the local markets support it, we will see the impact of the Kaepernik fans long term.
I understand why Colin took his stance of kneeling during the national anthem. The rate at which unarmed African American males were being murdered by police officers was his purpose. I was a little taken aback by his sudden social awareness because when he was taking his team to the Super Bowl and NFC Championship games, he had not time for protests. When he signed his $100 million contract he was one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the game. When he lost his starting job he had time to think about the bloodshed being inflicted by police officers.
Kneeling during the national anthem has caused a lot of friction recently from the President and NFL owners. Even Roger Goodell has tried to implement a rule where the players have to stand. I could care less about Donald Trump's anger. He referred to players exercising their right to free speech as 'sons of bitches'. This was before he recently ignored a bugle retreat call in Harrisburg and laughed and joked when he should have been saluting the flag. I have brothers that served in the military. My brother Gram lost many friends in a suicide bombing in Beirut. I respect the lives that were lost serving our country. I would have picked another means of protesting the murder of unarmed African American males.
We do live in a free country though. Our country was founded on the pretense of liberty for all. I can make this statement because people of color were considered property at the time. We have a continuing struggle with the anger of white males and the alt right who feel that they are losing relevance. The recent mass murders in Las Vegas were committed by a person who had wealth and reasons not to be angry. African Americans are angry at being shot down by sworn officers of the law. The murder of Philando Castile while his girlfriend was streaming on Facebook showed that we have a long way to go.
On Sundays though, I just want to watch football. I am a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. We are in search of our first Super Bowl win and I am excited about our young QB. We have been playing well and I do not want to mix politics with my fall enjoyment. I have not watched baseball since the Phillies have been playing poorly. Now that players have $200 million contracts in the NBA, I will not be watching much basketball either. I exercise my political ambitions at the ballot box. It will be interesting to see how the situation with the NFL plays out. Until then, go Eagles!!
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