“It makes them uncomfortable.”
That’s how Steven A. Smith, a popular commentator and host of ESPN’s “First Take,” described those critical of national anthem protestors.
Smith, who is normally known for explosive, saliva-filled hot takes on one of ESPN’s most popular shows, went on one of the calmest tirades of his career, piece by piece dismantling the argument that NFL players should be forced to stand during the national anthem or else be fined.
“Until 2009, no NFL players stood for the national anthem, because players actually stayed in the locker room as the anthem played,” Smith said during a 2016 edition of his show. “The players were moved to the field for the national anthem because it was seen as a marketing strategy to make the athletes look more patriotic.”
According to Snopes, the U.S. Department of Defense offered contracts to the NFL, paying for “patriotic tributes” during some of the nation’s most popular sporting events. The report by Snopes says the DOD paid the NFL $5.4 million between 2011 and 2014, encouraging the league to move players to the sidelines for all games, including primetime games where players would normally stay in the locker room.
Meanwhile, the National Guard paid $6.7 million between 2013 and 2015, in the effort to stage patriotic celebrations as part of the organization’s recruitment efforts.
Which brings the discussion back to the origin: former San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and his infamous decision to kneel during the anthem.
By now, almost everyone following the story understands Kap’s motives, and the arguments and counterarguments behind his reasoning. It wasn’t until this recent NFL offseason that the league decided to raise the stakes.
“We want people to be respectful of the national anthem,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in an ESPN report. “We want people to stand —— that’s all personnel — and make sure they treat this moment in a respectful fashion. That’s something we think we owe. (But) we were also very sensitive to give players choices.”
According to Goodell, the unanimous decision was made by all NFL owners. Owners who care nothing about free expression or America’s rich history of peaceful protest.
Just as Smith said, the idea of kneeling, of showing a trace of criticism toward “the land of the free” makes people uncomfortable. It raises questions about equality, of racially charged violence and neglect, that these NFL owners seem too scared to ask.
The new NFL sideline isn’t completely filled with this bleak new world. New York Jets co-owner Christopher Jonson will pay the fines of his players who decide to protest on the field for the anthem. Johnson told Newsday he wishes his players would stand, but did not believe in punishment.
Interesting, considering his organization voted to do just that.
During my brief time working for the Washington Redskins during the 2017 season, I saw firsthand the lopsided power dynamic present in the average NFL team.
Players voiced their outrage in interviews. Management turned a blind eye, staying safe in their perfect, protected bubble. Trust me, these owners care for nothing but raising ticket prices and maintaing their public image.
As Smith said during “First Take,” staged patriotism does nothing. An empty, gilded gesture like forcing players to stand doesn’t convey true American ideals.
It destroys them Brandon Hill can be reached at [email protected]