Taking a knee....

[BroadwayVa]

So, what if the all stand with one hand on their heart and the other raised in a fist, or as the Seahawks did as a team linking their arms, or if they all wear black lives matter tee shirts while standing, or ...?

I will not be surprised if they do choose to do something, and if they do, I am pretty sure they will all do the same thing as they know they are a team. That is the approach they have taken on their other social issues stances.

I will watch them regardless of what they choose to do - I believe in our constitution more than our flag and anthem, and I do not see protests to the playing of the anthem as anything more than a political statement that the country as a whole is not preforming as well as it should - I do not read into it anything about the military, or service men and women, or veterans whose service I honor, but do not put on a pedestal.

Geno and Chris are both knowledgeable of what's happening. If Geno believes his team wants to speak for those without a voice--Geno shall allow it. Some talked about how this actually honors America--I don't like the method--but it certainly speaks volumes that Americans have a right to speak or yell loudly when some section of Americans are being treated badly (not strong enough??)

 

[wallman]

I do not believe Wooden forbade players from protesting on their own time, he just forbade them doing anything else during 'his time' i.e. the schedule practices/games - they were at school to go to classes and play basketball, as long as they respected those commitments, they could do whatever they wanted outside of that. Walton specifically was all over the place with political activism while still in school.

Exactly, my response was in respect to whole teams etc, rather than voicing as an individual. There are so many levels to this, what do people believe is the relevance to the anthem and flag, what do people believe is the responsibility to the team/employer etc. How are people getting involved at the root of the problems. There is a voice but there is also a process where actions show how to help those that need help. The beauty of the US is that everyone can voice their opinion but everyone should also expect to hear the opinions of others.

 

[reno tony]

That is an isolated incident. It was NEVER a regular occurrence in every game before 2009. Get YOUR facts straight.

I would be interested where you got your facts. I spent over 15 years watching football every Sunday from 1992 onward and they played the Anthem at every game I remember. So I guess I could believe you, or my own eyes.

 

[herbiep]

Do you think the black f

it's an interesting question as to what UConn's policy, and Coach Auriemma's policy, on the matter will be. Coach Auriemma has expressed admiration and respect for the women athletes in the WNBA who have joined these protests. He raised questions as to how the issue would be handled were it to come up at the Olympics. The issue did not come up. Would be worth the press corps asking him about it when the opportunity arises.

To those saying they would never support UConn women's basketball, or attend or watch a game, ever again were the players to kneel during the anthem, one should consider that the majority of players at the top ranks of the women's game, both in college and in the pro ranks, are black, while the fan base is overwhelmingly white. Black athletes are making a statement about their place in American society, and how they are being treated. Their experiences are often far different from those of the white fan base.

Whatever their plans, it's clear that black athletes are taking a stand, whether the white fan base approves or not. I wonder whether the UConn fan base would desert the Huskies were Coach Auriemma to offer his support for the gesture, and support his athletes' making that stand.

Do you think the black fan base would not follow the Huskies, if all the white players stand?

 

[UcMiami]

Do you think the black f Do you think the black fan base would not follow the Huskies, if all the white players stand?

Any social commentary/political action/inaction may have an negative result with members of a fan bases - in is the nature of the beast. I react negatively to some posters on this and other boards based on their comments which is similar, and I actively avoid places, products, etc. when people associated with them offend me with their words or actions. Everyone weighs the importance of their beliefs against the pleasure that might be derived from ______ in choosing what they eat/drink/watch/particpate in/etc.

The NFL as an organization and many of their owners really offend me, but I really enjoy watching pro football so I still watch and read, but I have stopped watching any of the hours of pre and post game hoopla as my little protest.

If i could find a consistently good alternative to ESPN's web site, I would avoid it, because I don't like that company either, but they are still the best in the game especially for the WCBB and WNBA information so I am stuck.

 

[herbiep]

I was being

Any social commentary/political action/inaction may have an negative result with members of a fan bases - in is the nature of the beast. I react negatively to some posters on this and other boards based on their comments which is similar, and I actively avoid places, products, etc. when people associated with them offend me with their words or actions. Everyone weighs the importance of their beliefs against the pleasure that might be derived from ______ in choosing what they eat/drink/watch/particpate in/etc.

The NFL as an organization and many of their owners really offend me, but I really enjoy watching pro football so I still watch and read, but I have stopped watching any of the hours of pre and post game hoopla as my little protest.

If i could find a consistently good alternative to ESPN's web site, I would avoid it, because I don't like that company either, but they are still the best in the game especially for the WCBB and WNBA information so I am stuck.

I was being facetious....LOL

 

[VPDcurt]

If players have the right to take a knee (which I believe they do), then I have the right to be pissed off at them.

 

[ocoandasoc]

I liked what the Liberty did on Saturday. Supportive, but not disrespectful. And the entire team participated. Pretty classy.

I suspect Geno will address this with the team and their response will be appropriate. He's bound to be asked about it before the first exhibition game.

 

[JordyG]

I would be interested where you got your facts. I spent over 15 years watching football every Sunday from 1992 onward and they played the Anthem at every game I remember. So I guess I could believe you, or my own eyes.

Wrong again. What I said was, before 2009 players stayed in their locker rooms before the anthem was played. Before then the question of what players should or shouldn't do during the anthem's playing was irrelevant. At times some fans yell things or do things in concert during the playing of the anthem, some of which is not repeatable here. Is this honorable or respectable or unpatriotic?

 

[Wally East]

Wrong again. What I said was, before 2009 players stayed in their locker rooms before the anthem was played. Before then the question of what players should or shouldn't do during the anthem's playing was irrelevant. At times some fans yell things or do things in concert during the playing of the anthem, some of which is not repeatable here. Is this honorable or respectable or unpatriotic?

And just to make sure the two of you don't continue talking past each other:

JordyG, when you say "players," you're specifically and only talking about UConn women's basketball players, yes?

 

[JordyG]

And just to make sure the two of you don't continue talking past each other:

JordyG, when you say "players," you're specifically and only talking about UConn women's basketball players, yes?

No, I'm talking about the NFL where the focal point of this discussion really is. I think I need to say something that I've said repeatedly here and elsewhere. I love this country to death. Sometimes as I walk this city that I love my heart bursts with pride. Yet I am also an avid believer in Voltaire's phrase "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." I believe that when we start to parse our great constitution and say well, this amendment is more important or supercedes this one we run into trouble; I will defend to the death each and every amendment extant. It is my hope that most Boneyarders feel as I do.

 

[uconnfan68]

My challenge is different. My left knee was taken to the pathology lab of the VA Hospital in West Haven.

Not that I liked what happened, but liked for your spirit and attitude.

 

[reno tony]

Wrong again. What I said was, before 2009 players stayed in their locker rooms before the anthem was played. Before then the question of what players should or shouldn't do during the anthem's playing was irrelevant. At times some fans yell things or do things in concert during the playing of the anthem, some of which is not repeatable here. Is this honorable or respectable or unpatriotic?

I guess I am still waiting for a source for this information. I, like you, don't take someone's opinion as fact..... especially when I have seen differently with my own eyes.

 

[DICKG]

I don't know if the article was real, but I read that Jerry Jones had informed the Cowboys players and staff that they would not take a knee on his field. Maybe that is just a bunch of Texas make-believe stuff but I can't say that it is not true, either. But it sounds like something that Jerry Jones...[mod edit: politics] would say.

As much as I hate the Cowboys, good for Jerry Jones.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Do you think the black f Do you think the black fan base would not follow the Huskies, if all the white players stand?

I think you have to do this type of question on an individual basis--However, I look at this as not a RACE issue but an AMERICAN issue--I think you find there will almost/ if not greater White turn out in protesting the occurrences..

 

[BroadwayVa]

Wrong again. What I said was, before 2009 players stayed in their locker rooms before the anthem was played. Before then the question of what players should or shouldn't do during the anthem's playing was irrelevant. At times some fans yell things or do things in concert during the playing of the anthem, some of which is not repeatable here. Is this honorable or respectable or unpatriotic?

Three different issues----Respectable (in the eye of the beholder), Honorable (depends on your value system and heritage) --
Unpatriotic---What determines what is or what isn't Patriotic. Personally ---I see the antics on the sidelines during the anthem as disrespectful (my value system would not allow me to do that). I attended lots of games at the Field house and Gampel but forget when the National Anthem was played---without incidents who remember these details from being there??? As for Uconn WBB prior to 2009 and during the time Svetlana Abrsomosa played (I remember because of an incident) all except Svet held their hands over their hearts--Svetie was a Russian not an American (no dis respect there) Swanea (spelling) Family was military and she ALWAYS held her hand on her heart during the playing Prior to 2009 and Svet was close to 1998

 

[BroadwayVa]

No, I'm talking about the NFL where the focal point of this discussion really is. I think I need to say something that I've said repeatedly here and elsewhere. I love this country to death. Sometimes as I walk this city that I love my heart bursts with pride. Yet I am also an avid believer in Voltaire's phrase defend to the death you"I may not agree with what you say, but I will r right to say it." I believe that when we start to parse our great constitution and say well, this amendment is more important or supercedes this one we run into trouble; I will defend to the death each and every amendment extant. It is my hope that most Boneyarders feel as I do.

I agree with you highly---I have, at least most of my life (with some exception) lived by those words and go one step further --I believe in the words Teddy used at Bobby funeral---don't recall all except " other see and ask WHY--Bobby asked Why not (my Never say Never grew out of that) I believe in the Constitution in the words written and meaning at the time written.

 

[BroadwayVa]

If players have the right to take a knee (which I believe they do), then I have the right to be pissed off at them.

For ever action there is an equal and opposite reaction---for every action there is a consequence---what goes around comes around

Take your pick everything you do reflects upon you ( and at times your family) The most effective protest is Financial. Vote by walking.

 

[VPDcurt]

Take your pick everything you do reflects upon you ( and at times your family) The most effective protest is Financial. Vote by walking.

W.t.f.

 

[JordyG]

I guess I am still waiting for a source for this information. I, like you, don't take someone's opinion as fact..... especially when I have seen differently with my own eyes.

Understandable. I have to say honestly this is why I love The Boneyard. I'm sure we agree on many things. The fact that we perhaps don't agree on this one takes nothing away from either of us. I'm sure however we can both agree that our love for this country informs everything we say.

 

[BroadwayVa]

W.t.f.

Why The Furniture??? Whose talking about Furniture???

 

[VPDcurt]

Why The Furniture??? Whose talking about Furniture???

Still not making any sense. Tighten up bud.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

It's not how I would show my displeasure with the current discord, but I'd be glad that players stood up for something. Too many young people don't even vote.

 

[Bliss]

I feel nothing but contempt for any able-bodied U.S. citizen who does not stand for the National Anthem and I have the right to feel this way.

 

[wallman]

C'mon nobody watched the football game last night?

They all talked about it before the game BOTH teams (wow what a civilized thing to do), they all listened and stood for the anthem (I think all as it wasn't shown to be otherwise) then they all came together after and held hands at the center of the field, players, coaches etc. of both teams, mic drop!

 

[topogigio]

One of the many things that impresses me about the Husky Women is when they take the court for the playing of the National Anthem; standing erect, straight line by player height, facing the flag. I would make book that Geno and CD would not tolerate for one second any deviation from that protocol. If so, the bench would be your immediate option, followed by a transfer to "parts unknown"!

 

[Purduke]

That is an isolated incident. It was NEVER a regular occurrence in every game before 2009. Get YOUR facts straight.

Seems that there is some

I guess I am still waiting for a source for this information. I, like you, don't take someone's opinion as fact..... especially when I have seen differently with my own eyes.

There is probably truth on both sides, but JordyG is not wrong (although I'm not a fan of calling people out in CAPS unless you have a lot of factchecker sources readily at hand).

Attached article makes the point that JordyG was offering.

NFL teams being on the field for anthem is a relatively new practice

That said, I would re-phrase his post to say the NFL did not require teams to be on the field until 2009. I will offer that I know for a fact that as far back as 1977 NFL players and teams were on the field for the playing of the anthem. My first NFL game, a pre-season one no less (so it wasn't a "unique" event like the Super Bowl), was the season Namath signed with the Rams and they were playing in Pittsburgh. I was in the upperdeck and wanted to see where Joe was, but he wasn't warming up etc. He must have been a scratch because he didn't play. Only way I confirmed he was there was I stood at the national anthem and scanned the sidelines and saw him along the Rams sideline (not surprisingly, he wasn't kneeling). It is my belief that the Steelers were also standing on the sideline at the other 6 games I attended that year, but I can't swear to it as it was not my focus. But I would bet a month's pension that they did. But that is the Steelers, and Rooney. I would have expected it whether the league said you have to or not.

Will also comment about Mr Thomas E Curren's article. Rather than just leave the topic open with smug innuendo about what the practice was and wasn't, how about picking the lousy phone up and calling the sports info director at a few clubs. Don't break a sweat or anything, but geez Tom.

 

[JordyG]

I feel nothing but contempt for any able-bodied U.S. citizen who does not stand for the National Anthem and I have the right to feel this way.

Next time you're at home watching the game, please stand. I'll take you word for it.

 

[Kibitzer]

A US Navy (reserve) sailor refused to stand during the playing of the National Anthem and made a public statement why she took that form of protest. Her security clearance was withdrawn and she may be prosecuted for violation of Article 92, UCMJ, for violation of a lawful order.

She is the second reported to have done this; unlike the other, she has been identified publicly. Story on www.military.com

 

[TitleTown]

Geno and Chris are both knowledgeable of what's happening. If Geno believes his team wants to speak for those without a voice--Geno shall allow it. Some talked about how this actually honors America--I don't like the method--but it certainly speaks volumes that Americans have a right to speak or yell loudly when some section of Americans are being treated badly (not strong enough??)

There is less than ZERO chance that Coach Auriemma allows any protest of any kind to happen!