NFL Ruling Causing Divide Between Fans

You may have heard multiple stories about 2 years ago of Colin Kaepernick's rise to fame due to him protesting the National Anthem.  Well, was he really protesting the National Anthem? Or was he simply taking a stand against the injustices going on in the world?  Whichever stance you favor, Kaepernick's stand has come to light yet again in a new N.F.L ruling.  The New York Times announced on May 23rd that Trump supports N.F.L's New National Anthem Policy.  This new ruling states that N.F.L players on the field MUST stand and show respect for the playing of the National Anthem or their team will face fines.  However, there is no clear definition as to what "showing respect" would entail since it could be argued that players linking arms or raising one first in the air could be seen as disrespectful. There is also no mention of how exactly this rule will be enforced or the exact quantity teams will be fined.   

This article, along with many others published through the Times, has evoked mixed emotions in readers and even the president.  Some readers claim that N.F.L players are simply "hired to do a job" and if their "boss" makes them stand for the Anthem, they should comply or be fired.  Others argue that N.F.L events are already too political since it is merely a football game meant for fans to enjoy.  

President Trump's stance on NFL ruling.  

Margaret Jay, a user who commented on the Times article, has a unique approach to this situation stating that she felt "unfairly trapped by the presumption that I had to stand and pretend to participate".  She opposes the N.F.L ruling and is in-favor of players opting out of participation. 

Patrick, another user who commented on the Times article, views this new decision as simply a business decision presumably as a marketing ploy.  He also opposes the ruling and sympathizes with Kaepernick's earlier debacle.   

Lastly, Son of Liberty, another user who commented on the Times article, believes that N.F.L players who kneel and protest on the field shouldn't have that luxury because it is "a workplace behavior issue".  His rather common stance is tricky to dispute since there are obvious workplace mannerisms and expectations that most of us have experienced firsthand.  



No matter what your opinion is on this subject, this ruling is undeniably a cause of concern for how America is changing.  American's First Amendment right to the freedom of speech is being infringed upon yet again.  Anderson et. all in "The News Media What Everyone Needs to Know," asks, "What does the first amendment mean?  He responds to this question by listing several court cases (Gitlow v. New York & New York Times v. Sullivan) where the average citizen's freedom of speech has been restricted due to various reasons.  Anderson et. all makes us question whether or not we truly have "free speech" or if we only have "free speech" when it is convenient and doesn't impede upon the opinions of officials/those in positions of power.