Colin Kaepernick should play in another Football league

[brettdale]

Im sure he will earn 114 million there too.

[Laurian]

1. Why? He should be free to express himself anywhere

in America. Frankly, I find the patriotic fervor displayed at sporting events a little over the top.

[rainbobryte]

26. You'd hate NASCAR then.

[JanMichael]

34. I do. nt

[JonLP24]

2. Maybe you should go to the NFL

Many work extremely hard and don't threaten to make a practice squad or AFL or CFL. I think he should continue to do what is his best at.

[MohRokTah]

3. Fuck that shit! eom

[LeftyMom]

4. His opinion is as American as yours. Your need to exclude him based on your perception

of his otherness is a reflection upon your American values, not his.

[Loki Liesmith]

6. No one owes him a job in the NFL

[LeftyMom]

7. Professional sports are meritocratic. He got the job by being a better QB than Alex Smith,

at least for a while.

[msanthrope]

8. He earned one. Get back to us when you do. nt

[brush]

15. You earn jobs in the NFL. The skill sets needed are possessed by a very few people

That's why they make the money they do.

And btw, he said if they take away his contract and endorsemnets he'll know he did the right thing for him.

We'll see if that happens. I admire him for his stance and willingness to give it all up if it comes to it. No one can say, with unarmed black men being killed by cops over and over, that his consciousness and concern for his people is not a legitimate issue.

[msanthrope]

5. I guess all Quakers should, too, right....

I happen to think the 1st amendment is more important than the delicate sensibilities of the NFL, who apparently cannot handle the sight of a nipple, or a black man not saying the pledge.

[quaker bill]

9. I am not clear where you are coming from on Quakers

the notion that all Quakers do any particular thing does not speak to my experience among Friends.

Of course all Friends would be free to refuse to participate, but I do not know any who are currently carrying a concern over the national anthem. We are a very diverse community, so there certainly may be some Friends who would join Mr. Kaepernick in this, I just don't know them.

[msanthrope]

18. My daughter went to a Friend's School....neither the Pledge, nor the National

Anthem was done. I was told this was customary for Friends...granted, this was a conservative Hicksite bunch.

[quaker bill]

30. That seems likely true pretty broadly.

I would not expect the pledge or anthem as part of the school day at a Friends School. If for no other reason, then out of respect for diversity. I am on the very liberal side. When in public I personally stand in silence for either one at this time.

[Philly-Union-Man]

10. Why? For exercising his American right to be free not to participate in ritualistic jingoism?

And what does money have to do with it?

I see this stupid argument all over the place. If you make a lot of money you have to blow the flag. It's ridiculous.

Let him do what he wants, who cares? It's just not important.

[KamaAina]

11. A lot of Niners fans would agree with you

but because of his lack of talent, not patriotism.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/120466450#post1

[Downtown Hound]

12. Why is your sense of national identity and patriotism so fragile that

a simply expression of one's first amendment rights sends you into a rage? People need to lighten up. Nationalism has been responsible for way too many awful things in our history.

[blogslut]

13. Should Jerry Jones sell the Cowboys?

http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/bud-kennedy/article98388302.html

[HassleCat]

14. Why? What makes the NFL so patriotic?

Only a handful of players have served in the armed forces. How many of them have paid back the cost of their scholarships to their colleges? Do you think the taxpayers will get paid back for all those stadia? Lips service is cheap. If they are relly patriotic Americans, they will defend the constitutional right of fellow citizen to express his opinions. To me, that's what being real patriot means, standing up for someone I don't particularly like, or whose opinion is different from mine.

[dsc]

21. why on earth should they pay the scholarships back

the colleges made a mint off of their playing and in point of fact have sold their likenesses and images all while banning them from doing so.

[TrackFan12]

23. Kap

You need to get your facts straight... Big time college football makes money for the university

[Are_grits_groceries]

33. The money goes to the football program and other sports if they so choose.

It isn't part of the general fund.
In fact, few universities break even on their programs. The schools support the sports.
http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Myth-College-Sports-Are-a-Cash-Cow2.aspx
The universities do gain by more exposure and more interest from prospective students.

[HassleCat]

35. Yes it does, but...

Most colleges never get anywhere near the big time. If they're lucky, they get enough alumni support and ticket sales to fund the money-making teams (football, basketball and ice hockey) and the rest of the sports program. More typically, they lose money, and have to chip in from student fees, or taxpayer dollars where that's allowed.

[cyberswede]

16. Why? Because he has an opinion about something totally unrelated to football?

[GeorgeGist]

17. Silly

[dhill926]

19. jesus christ...

[Brickbat]

20. Ah bloo bloo bloo blooo

[TrackFan12]

22. He can only get that type of money in the NFL

Kap has been playing very badly since the super bowl year and his time with the 9ers is limited

[LeftyMom]

25. He was drafted as a pitcher by the Cubs.

MLB money beats NFL money.

[Iggo]

24. Aw.

[underthematrix]

27. Before anyone goes nutso on Kap

I need to understand why a large number of white Americans are voting for mentally disturbed Donald Trump which is the most traitorous thing anyone can do to America

Help me understand that

[gwheezie]

28. I think the country will survive

I do t even know who this guy is but I'm pretty sure a person doesn't have to relinquish wealth to be protected by the constitution.
Remaining seated during the national anthem is very non tbreatening protest so I'm trying to understand what protest is allowed for black people since sitting, standing,lying down,gesturing, facial expression and hand placement during ceremonies seems to be out.

[Loki]

29. No he doesn't.

[duncang]

31. I wonder what the founding fathers would say?

First the national anthem was written in 1814 as a poem. The Anthem it self was only recognized for official use in 1869. But wasn't made the national anthem till 1931. And really the National anthem is not supposed to be the reason people stand it's the posting of the colors. Legally speaking it's termed as "should" stand. They understood when they wrote the code pertaining to it there is a First Amendment consideration. And that also wasn't around when the founding fathers were around. It only made to the U.S. code in 1998.

Personally I think to much is being made out of it. I admire him for taking a seat. Being able to protest to me has is something that makes America what it is.

[KG]

32. I lulz'd