Officials protesting anthem–SCHSL speaks

[SNIPERBBB]

I wish these organizations would stop throwing the First Amendment around. They obviously do not know what it means, nor do the protestors. 1A protects you from the government putting you in jail for your speech, any other entity can tell you to go pound sand.

[bballref3966]

I got this email, too, and here are my thoughts:

Schools are not going to pay for extra security to protect an official who kneels or stands during the anthem. Not a chance that will happen, in my opinion.

I don't see this being an issue with any of the partners I work with and 99.9% of the officials statewide.

That being said, I think if an official wants to protest our national anthem, take the jackets back to the dressing room and wait there until the anthem is over. Then no attention is paid to the crew and the concerns about additional security are curtailed.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bballref3966

...

That being said, I think if an official wants to protest our national anthem, take the jackets back to the dressing room and wait there until the anthem is over. Then no attention is paid to the crew and the concerns about additional security are curtailed.

I see that being the smart way to go about it. We don't kneel or sit at any time after we enter the confines of the court, so it brings way too much unneeded attention for an official to kneel during the national anthem.

Just excuse yourself to "use the restroom" or take the jackets back or just slip out into the hallway.

[UNIgiantslayers]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I see that being the smart way to go about it. We don't kneel or sit at any time after we enter the confines of the court, so it brings way too much unneeded attention for an official to kneel during the national anthem.

Just excuse yourself to "use the restroom" or take the jackets back or just slip out into the hallway.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but isn't this the point of a protest?

[Altor]

Just excuse yourself to "use the restroom" or take the jackets back or just slip out into the hallway.

But then people won't know that they're protesting...

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by UNIgiantslayers

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but isn't this the point of a protest?

Originally Posted by Altor

But then people won't know that they're protesting...

Not necessarily. The first time Kaepernick "protested" (sat on the bench) nobody even knew he did it at the time, and he did not advertise it after the fact. Fans and the media are the ones who made a big deal about it days after the fact and brought it to the forefront, and then complained about the attention the subject was getting.

The gesture is against standing for the national anthem and honoring the flag for XYZ reason. I see it as less of a protest and more of a refusal to participate in a ritual or symbolic gesture they don't believe in.

Protests are not always designed to be "in your face". Often they are designed to create dialogue. An official refusing to participate in the national anthem proceedings would create dialogue amongst officials, and then branch out from there.

[SNIPERBBB]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Not necessarily. The first time Kaepernick "protested" (sat on the bench) nobody even knew he did it at the time, and he did not advertise it after the fact. Fans and the media are the ones who made a big deal about it days after the fact and brought it to the forefront, and then complained about the attention the subject was getting.

The gesture is against standing for the national anthem and honoring the flag for XYZ reason. I see it as less of a protest and more of a refusal to participate in a ritual or symbolic gesture they don't believe in.

Protests are not always designed to be "in your face". Often they are designed to create dialogue. An official refusing to participate in the national anthem proceedings would create dialogue amongst officials, and then branch out from there.

While a protest might not be in your face, the point of a protest is to make your point and draw attention to what you are protesting (moderated). And thr NFL is noticing, if they will admit to it, that its fans are protesting their games on TV by not watching.

[Adam]

The NFL ratings may or may not be due to this issue. I understand sports TV ratings are down in Europe (soccer) as well, and I really doubt that has anything to do with some guy in San Francisco playing the wrong kind of football.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

While a protest might not be in your face, the point of a protest is to make your point and draw attention to what you are protesting (moderated). And thr NFL is noticing, if they will admit to it, that its fans are protesting their games on TV by not watching.

(moderated) The national anthem is not even shown on an overwhelming majority of the broadcasts, so I have no idea when there is or isn't a "protest" by players.

I'm not watching the NFL as much because, as much as I love the NFL, I don't have the desire to devote 3 nights, the occasional early Sunday morning from London, and all day Sunday afternoon to watching football anymore. Between Sunday Ticket, NFL Red Zone (my preferred viewing method), and repeated highlight shows on the NFL Network, how and when folks watch the NFL has changed. Plus last year was the NFL's apex ratings year, viewership has to peak at some point.

[rsl]

This is just a bad idea. Suppose I kneel and one team kneels as well but the other team does not. All my calls for the kneeling team are now in question.

We have to look neutral on all issues when officiating. It is just not the right forum for protests, political or religious issues, or any other statement that gets in the way of our job.

If, as a referee, you need a forum for protest, find one outside the court.

[cyclocrossgirl]

I agree with what rsl said "If, as a referee, you need a forum for protest, find one outside the court." We must set the example, be professional, remain neutral.

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

I wish these organizations would stop throwing the First Amendment around. They obviously do not know what it means, nor do the protestors. 1A protects you from the government putting you in jail for your speech, any other entity can tell you to go pound sand.

I'm not a lawyer, but the SCHSL may be required to adhere to some level of First Amendment protection since it's not a completely private entity.

But, we're independent contractors (at least in form, not always in substance ), so I guess the SCHSL would have the right not to use our services for any reason it chooses.

[BigCat]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

I wish these organizations would stop throwing the First Amendment around. They obviously do not know what it means, nor do the protestors. 1A protects you from the government putting you in jail for your speech, any other entity can tell you to go pound sand.

Who pays the officials and makes up the association? There's your state action. And jail isnt a requirement. And I'm not a fan of the protest,but, seeing Jacksonville punt every time I flip the channel to that game has more to do with me not watching. Bad football. Been a lot of bad boring games...

[DRJ1960]

Recently worked a game with a partner who asked what I would do if he knelt during the Anthem.

What would you do?

[BigCat]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

Recently worked a game with a partner who asked what I would do if he knelt during the Anthem.

What would you do?

Do my job