08-31-2016, 05:42 PM
(08-31-2016, 05:27 PM)OrlandoBengal Wrote: Nowhere does it say that he must stand. Good luck proving that by simply sitting down, by causing no disturbance at all, that you are taking part in conduct detrimental to the league. And as far as any interviews he has given, he is simply exercising his right to free speech. They could try to punish him, but I am certain it would end up before a judge.
For everyone saying that he should try to make a difference, are you certain that you know what community activities he takes part it? There was a segment on NFL Network a couple nights ago where both Jim Brown and a USC professor praised him for the amount of research he has done on this subject. He is not denigrating the military or veterans (neither the American Flag, nor the Star Spangled Banner are symbols of the military). He is not saying that he hates America or wants to leave. He has not asked that he be immune from backlash (in fact, he has said that he is not concerned if hurts him monetarily). He is choosing not to stand for a song that if you look at all three verses actually celebrates the killing of black people.
I will end with this. A friend of mine was a decorated Army soldier. On this subject, he said that he never fought for a flag or a song, he fought for the rights and freedoms that this country gives. That not only does he not have a problem with Kaepernick, but that there were times different soldiers at his base in Iraq would purposely skip the raising of the flag and the Star Spangled Banner because they did not agree with certain things.
First, my point was not is support of, or against, Kaepernick. I simply responded to Fred's post because it shows a clear misunderstanding of the legal issues involved that only a legal "professional" would know, and such a big deal has been made on these boards over the years about Fred's "profession."
Second, I did not say that there is a rule anywhere requiring him to sit or stand for the Anthem. What I said was, the "conduct detrimental" provision of the CBA gives both the NFL and the teams the contractual right to act if they feel such conduct is detrimental. This is an open and subjective interpretation.
I respect your opinion, but it is not a legal one because you also do not understand the Constitutional legal implications and whom they are enforceable upon.
