Being a big football fan, more college than pro, but nonetheless, I am disturbed with what is going on in the NFL. As such, I decided to boycott yesterday, though I did sneak a peak at the final minute of a game I cared about.

I am sick and tired of uninformed, entitled millionaires who make money most people could only dream of telling us how “terrible, unfair, oppressive, inequitable, or racist” our country is. No, the US is not perfect. There is still racism (though nothing on the scale they would have you believe), there is injustice, there is corruption, there is want. But find me another country that is better. Find me one that is more equitable, free, fair, with more opportunity. Find me another where they could be doing what they are doing for that kind of money. When you disrespect the country, its citizens, its military by not standing at attention for the flag and anthem, you earn all the scorn you get. When you make statements as Colin K. has that cops are pigs and “slave catchers” you have crossed the line. Some defenders will say “first amendment rights”, but that argument does not hold water. The NFL is a private enterprise. It has every right to make its players stand at attention during the anthem. As employees of a private enterprise, the players have no first amendment rights in this case. If they did, they could also flip off the crowd anytime they wanted. The NFL has no right to police political speech of the players off the field, but on-field it absolutely does. Oh, and for the left, do not think for a moment that this is a free-speech issue, it is agenda pushing. Imagine for a minute if five or six players did an on-field protest against abortion. The left’s heads would explode!

Now, I have one critique of Trump although I agree with his “boycott” message. As usual his language was inflammatory while his message was not. It was stupid to say players are “SOB’s who should be fired”. I would have phrased it thusly: “If I were the commissioner or an owner, I would tell my players “stand for the anthem and show respect to the country, or you will be suspended. Continue to do it and you will be cut.” End of story.” But by being his usual blunt, sometimes stupid self, he has escalated things. Neither side seems to be winning yet though I suspect more will side with Trump than the NFL. NFL fans lean conservative, that is a fact. However, it bothers me that he would help elevate this firestorm when last week a mere six players protested, and this week it was 200. Some are likely simply angered at his language, and they have that right.