- September 26th, 2017, 1:28 am
#537633
Tomlin wanted 100% participation. I watched Vilanueva's interview and think he was trying his best to smooth things over for Tomlin, but Tomlin made a bad decision. The players have a right to protest, but there is a proper time and place. I don't approve of them kneeling, even though they have the right to do so. And the fans have a right to vote with their feet or voice their displeasure on social media.
I grew up in Western PA, and I am a big Steelers fan. And I was thinking about something.
Let's go back in time. I think Obama was running for election or relection. He was at a fundraiser in California, I think, and he was playing to his audience. He said, people in small towns of places like Pennsylvania, the manufacturing's gone, industry's gone. They haven't had decent jobs in 25 years...so some of them, they are naturally bitter, clinging to their guns and religion.
The host asked a followup question, Why do you think they blame you?
President Obama's next three words, "Because they are racist".
After further review, I can not find any audio or video of President Obama saying those words about racism.
He may have been mischaracterized by a commentator. EDITED 9/26/17
Nothing Like insulting a large majority of small town Pennsylvania people.
But I don't recall any Steelers kneeling for the anthem in protest.
Now, to Obama's credit, it didnt take him long to apologize for that remark, and he quickly said it was something like the most boneheaded comment of his political career. But still, in original context, President Obama was playing to an audience, he offended many, and yet I don't remember any protests.
I do not believe the anthem is the time for protest. But I do wish Trump would do what Obama did, and say, you know what, that was a boneheaded comment. But then he could go on to explain his feelings, he could just say, but I don't feel that the time during an anthem is a proper time to protest...I feel it disrespects those who have served, those who are serving, and the families of those that make the ultimate sacrifice, and it is my humble wish that those NFL players would think about that before taking a knee. Think about how this offends many. Think about the mom & pop shops that sell Jerseys, and how your chosen time of protest may affect their business and ability to make sales. - I think if he took an apptoach like that outcome would be much better.
But I still think the players are wrong for kneeling, even though they have the right to do so.
Last edited by jimflamesfan on September 26th, 2017, 11:54 am, edited 1 time in total.