How the Donald Trump's crusade against the NFL united the world of American football
In a statement and a few tweets, the American president alienated the American football league, previously little inclined to get involved politically.
"If you do not condemn this divisive rhetoric, you validate it. Since American President Donald Trump has violently attacked American footballers silently protesting police violence during the pre-game hymns on Saturday (September 23rd), the National Football League (NFL) wall, forced to react - as pointed out by the Seattle Seahawks cornerback, Richard Sherman - at the risk of losing contact with his players in a lasting way. For the NFL, unlikely to take political positions, unlike other North American sports leagues, last weekend was a first, and this for several reasons.
Hello.
About the only thing I agree with in your post was that "last weekend was a first". Apart from that, I disagree with everything you said.
You state that "the American president alienated the American football league" when in fact it is the NFL that is alienating a majority of it's fan base. These protests were started over a year ago by Kaepernick and have been simmering for over a year.
If anything, President Trump should be applauded. Why?? Well, the President only spoke his "opinion" on the subject. In other words, he exercised his right to free speech (something the NFL players contend that they are doing). Secondly (and this is the part that no one else is talking about), President Trump made these remarks at a political rally.....to which he received THUNDEROUS applause!!! That may not mean much to you, but that should terrify the NFL when 50% of their paying fan base is angry!
In other words, President Trump only verbalized what a vast number of people are already thinking.
You also stated that "[the NFL and it's players] previously little inclined to get involved politically". Again, not true. Even prior to the Anthem protests, players were making political statements on field by wearing politically inspired pieces of clothing (for which they were usually fined, but they succeeded in making their statements) and various other kinds of sideline protests. The Anthem protests were, as we would say, the final straw.
Again, President Trump did not "violently attack" the NFL players, he merely exercised his right to free speech. Do you consider a person who holds a different opinion than you as a violent attacker???
The player's protests are far from "silent". Just because they are not using words, their actions are speaking loud volumes. If I walked up to you and whipped you the middle finger in your face, but didn't speak or even touch you, would you consider that a silent protest??? I think not.
The irony of this situation is that these protests are only serving to hurt the players. The NFL will lose massive amounts of revenue due to these actions and they will eventually be forcibly ended (not by President Trump, but rather the NFL head office itself when they see their profits tank).
Don't believe me??? Well, the NBA has already issued statements to it's teams and players that not standing during the National Anthem will not be tolerated! They see what's happening to the NFL and they realize that it will happen to them as well.
In the end, it all comes down to $$$, and the protesting NFL players are about to lose many $$$. I hope it was worth it.