Random thoughts on the Eagles/White House controversy:
• I was lucky enough to be on the grounds in 2009 when the Phillies visited the White House. The visit had to be postponed due to the tragic death of Harry Kalas. It was a well attended affair, and one I know I will never forget. It was chock full of… well… ex-pat Philly fans working as journalists in DC. I don’t remember throngs of fans passing through security to see the photo op, so I’m not sure where “a thousand” Eagles fans were coming from. Particularly since it was widely reported several of those who attended, when pressed, had no idea who the Eagles QB was in the Super Bowl.
• It seems odd to me that only about 10 players planned to attend, when all is said and down. If it were near half, I’d buy that. Throwing out the large majority that didn’t vote, nearly half those who did supported Trump. That is usually reflected in an organization. To me, that implies an actual conflict developed, for whatever reason, or the player’s association stepped in and said don’t go. The NFL gains nothing by this. Not that I should be, but I don’t see where the team gains from this. The union makes sense, because the team and the league have been tight-lipped about it. That would also explain negotiations over a date when Trump would be out of town, to try to avoid a scene.
• Trump will always play hardball with the NFL. This has nothing to do with the flag or the anthem. This has everything to do with his failed attempts to join the NFL “club” for the last 40 years, or so. He will use his bully pulpit at every opportunity to put the league in a bad light, and if it plays to his base, that’s gravy.
• It is a tradition for championship teams to be invited to the White House. For a president to get some swag, a photo op, and heap a little glory on the celebration. The players get a tour, and everyone gets to press a little flesh. It is an honor, and citizens are within their rights to turn down that honor. For some reason, given all the water under the bridge, it feels some view it is an obligation to bend the knee and kiss the ring. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can honor the office without honoring the resident, if I so choose. Many would have agreed with me just a few short years ago. Rest assured, they don’t now.
• It doesn’t make me popular, but people fought and died for the right not to salute a flag or stand during the national anthem. These are symbols of our country, but they are not the country. The country is our Constitution. The laws which bind us, and allow for freedom of expression. The Founders fought for that right. If they hadn’t protested, we’d still be British.
• It is a sad state of affairs that we have allowed this to degenerate into something it wasn’t. Colin Kaepernick’s decision to take a knee was at the suggestion of a veteran, citing soldiers taking a knee to salute fallen comrades. It was a way to make his statement while still honoring the sacrifices of those who gave him the right to speak out. Lost now in the noise of those who refuse to listen or arm themselves with facts is a sizable portion of our society feels targeted and in danger. All I can say is I have heard stories from friends about being profiled that I found shocking. There seem to be statistics to back that up. Short of walking in the other man’s shoes, it might be best not to judge.
• It would all be a lot simpler if our athletes “just dribbled” and kept their mouths shut. If actors would just act. Maybe that’s because we want to believe they think like us and if we met on the street we’d be friends. Well, that’s not how it works. With celebrity comes a platform. It can even get you elected president. Most of us aren’t celebrities, and we spout our unsolicited opinion to anyone and everyone on social media. That all gonna change because you’re famous? Didn’t think so.
• Yes, these football players make a lot of money. They also get their bodies and minds destroyed. You didn’t mind when they were laying it out week after week so you could bandwagon and gloat over how “we” won. And most aren’t going to care what happens to these guys in a few years. They are no more or less citizens of this country because they are paid to play football, and have every right to exercise their liberty as they see fit, so long as it doesn’t violate the law.
• I was lucky enough to be on the grounds in 2009 when the Phillies visited the White House. The visit had to be postponed due to the tragic death of Harry Kalas. It was a well attended affair, and one I know I will never forget. It was chock full of… well… ex-pat Philly fans working as journalists in DC. I don’t remember throngs of fans passing through security to see the photo op, so I’m not sure where “a thousand” Eagles fans were coming from. Particularly since it was widely reported several of those who attended, when pressed, had no idea who the Eagles QB was in the Super Bowl.
• It seems odd to me that only about 10 players planned to attend, when all is said and down. If it were near half, I’d buy that. Throwing out the large majority that didn’t vote, nearly half those who did supported Trump. That is usually reflected in an organization. To me, that implies an actual conflict developed, for whatever reason, or the player’s association stepped in and said don’t go. The NFL gains nothing by this. Not that I should be, but I don’t see where the team gains from this. The union makes sense, because the team and the league have been tight-lipped about it. That would also explain negotiations over a date when Trump would be out of town, to try to avoid a scene.
• Trump will always play hardball with the NFL. This has nothing to do with the flag or the anthem. This has everything to do with his failed attempts to join the NFL “club” for the last 40 years, or so. He will use his bully pulpit at every opportunity to put the league in a bad light, and if it plays to his base, that’s gravy.
• It is a tradition for championship teams to be invited to the White House. For a president to get some swag, a photo op, and heap a little glory on the celebration. The players get a tour, and everyone gets to press a little flesh. It is an honor, and citizens are within their rights to turn down that honor. For some reason, given all the water under the bridge, it feels some view it is an obligation to bend the knee and kiss the ring. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can honor the office without honoring the resident, if I so choose. Many would have agreed with me just a few short years ago. Rest assured, they don’t now.
• It doesn’t make me popular, but people fought and died for the right not to salute a flag or stand during the national anthem. These are symbols of our country, but they are not the country. The country is our Constitution. The laws which bind us, and allow for freedom of expression. The Founders fought for that right. If they hadn’t protested, we’d still be British.
• It is a sad state of affairs that we have allowed this to degenerate into something it wasn’t. Colin Kaepernick’s decision to take a knee was at the suggestion of a veteran, citing soldiers taking a knee to salute fallen comrades. It was a way to make his statement while still honoring the sacrifices of those who gave him the right to speak out. Lost now in the noise of those who refuse to listen or arm themselves with facts is a sizable portion of our society feels targeted and in danger. All I can say is I have heard stories from friends about being profiled that I found shocking. There seem to be statistics to back that up. Short of walking in the other man’s shoes, it might be best not to judge.
• It would all be a lot simpler if our athletes “just dribbled” and kept their mouths shut. If actors would just act. Maybe that’s because we want to believe they think like us and if we met on the street we’d be friends. Well, that’s not how it works. With celebrity comes a platform. It can even get you elected president. Most of us aren’t celebrities, and we spout our unsolicited opinion to anyone and everyone on social media. That all gonna change because you’re famous? Didn’t think so.
• Yes, these football players make a lot of money. They also get their bodies and minds destroyed. You didn’t mind when they were laying it out week after week so you could bandwagon and gloat over how “we” won. And most aren’t going to care what happens to these guys in a few years. They are no more or less citizens of this country because they are paid to play football, and have every right to exercise their liberty as they see fit, so long as it doesn’t violate the law.