Response to player protests

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Raymond

I agree wholeheartedly with this. I would be deeply offended if any iteration of the "Southern pride" flag posted next to our nation's colors during the national anthem. But I would still officiate the game, and then request not to be sent back to that school.

An appropriate response, and one I would take as well.

[JRutledge]

Just for the record, I worked a game on Friday where the schools and many of the fans never stood. The players and coaches stood, but not the fans. And like maybe nearly half of the fans never stood.

Again, I wish we would get rid of this practice or change the song. But that is another conversation for another day.

Peace

An official I know walked out on a game last week after a player knelt. Suspended 1.5 years by state association for violating game contract.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by AremRed

An official I know walked out on a game last week after a player knelt. Suspended 1.5 years by state association for violating game contract.

Good.

Peace

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by AremRed

An official I know walked out on a game last week after a player knelt. Suspended 1.5 years by state association for violating game contract.

Yes... good.

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by AremRed

An official I know walked out on a game last week after a player knelt. Suspended 1.5 years by state association for violating game contract.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Good.



Peace

Originally Posted by BryanV21

Yes... good.

How many of you are going to say “Good” when Jerry Jones suspends a player who kneels during the anthem?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scrounge]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

How many of you are going to say “Good” when Jerry Jones suspends a player who kneels during the anthem?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't see why those thoughts would be in conflict. An official failing to uphold professional standards isn't the same as an employer imposing them.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

How many of you are going to say “Good” when Jerry Jones suspends a player who kneels during the anthem?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

First of all different relationship. Secondly, I would do what was suggested by a SportsCenter Anchor and boycott just about everything that man had something to do with. He has no problem taking a position to have others that have actually been accused of violating the law and signing them, but he is worried about the flag and something that is not mandated by the league? Funny. Thanks for the laugh.

Officials are not in a role where we do anything but call the game. If you are offended by everything that goes on around that game, then stay home.

Peace

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

How many of you are going to say “Good” when Jerry Jones suspends a player who kneels during the anthem?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You expect me to side with that man? Lol

Besides, it's our job.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

How many of you are going to say “Good” when Jerry Jones suspends a player who kneels during the anthem?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not. I support them doing what they feel is right.

Officials are different. We aren't there to take sides or to show how we feel personally. People always think we're not impartial to begin with.

Our job mandates we be neutral and focused on the job at hand.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

How many of you are going to say “Good” when Jerry Jones suspends a player who kneels during the anthem?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are trying to equate apples and oranges.

The players' pregame actions have nothing to do with the official's pregame duties. If one does not want to officiate a game in which students may make such demonstration then the official should not accept the assignment.

MTD, Sr.

[JRutledge]

For the record, I have been involved in many conservative political displays before games. Just the fact that we do a national anthem before games are political in nature. I mostly like it when we just play the darn game and move on. I have never considered walking out when something is said politically that I might not agree with or support normally. That is not the place or the time to show where I stand politically. I have worked a game at a school that had the Confederate Flag as part of their mascot and this was in the 90s. I did not walk out or not officiate the game when that stupid flag was displayed or offensive to me. I worked the game and moved on.

Peace

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

How many of you are going to say “Good” when Jerry Jones suspends a player who kneels during the anthem?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s his right as an employer to do that. Whether or not I agree with it is a different discussion. In their capacity as NFL players, the First Amendment doesn’t protect them from their employer’s backlash.

Just like how the First Amendment doesn’t shield us in our officiating role if we do something like this.

Ultimately, your comparison is a false equivalency.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

How many of you are going to say “Good” when Jerry Jones suspends a player who kneels during the anthem?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If that player leaves the stadium b/c his teammates stood for the national anthem, then you might have a point that makes sense.