Granted, this nation has a short
attention span and an even shorter memory, but it is time to focus and remember.
I have really struggled about
whether to write this opinion but standing on the sidelines is no longer a
viable option. I come from a military family (my dad, my brothers, my son, and
I) all served honorably—from Viet Nam, to posts foreign and domestic, to Iraq.
I also served in the Air Force Honor Guard and currently serve as a chaplain to
the military. While some NFL players feel compelled to kneel together to make a
statement, I feel compelled to STAND for those who can no longer STAND whether
because of loss of life or loss of limb. I choose to stand for the children,
the parents and the spouses who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this
country.
I have always been proud to be an
American but not too proud of what I see happening to America. This country
desperately needs to be united but this usually only happens during times of
war or a nationwide calamity. It has long been proclaimed that the United
States of America will never be defeated by any invading military power. Likely,
it will shamefully disintegrate from internal strife. It matters not who
instigates the uproar whether communists, terrorists, leftists or the far-right.
Unfortunately, the media seems to be simply stoking the self-destructive flames.
Why do true Americans pledge
allegiance to a flag? The answer is really quite simple. The flag represents
our united country of fifty states, in good times and in bad! Unfortunately, it
seems like we may soon find fear for terrorism is overcome by a fear for
anarchy, strife and social unrest from within.
A Little History First
The National Anthem became a
tradition in sporting events to focus people’s attention upon those who had served
to insure the freedoms we so richly enjoy. It started with baseball amongst
those steeped in wartime patriotism. In 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a
congressional resolution making the Star-Spangled Banner our National Anthem. The
National Anthem and Old Glory are near and dear to those of us that have served
along with those impacted by war and those conscious of the security that a
strong military affords. Saluting the flag during the National Anthem is much
more than a simple tradition to those who have served and sacrificed.
The Stars and Stripes and the National
Anthem are patriotic symbols. Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner
two years after he witnessed a bloody battle between American and British
troops in the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. He wrote this poetic song
as he saw the troops defend Fort McHenry in a day long battle. The garrison flag
that was raised over that blood-drenched fort is housed at the Smithsonian’s
National Museum of American History.
Those with graying heads remember
that not too long ago, some in this country chose to spit upon and curse those
returning from battle (Vietnam). For many decades these heroes were forgotten
by the country they served, nevertheless most of them continued to love this
country and show respect for it. My father is one of those men.
A lot has changed since 9/11 when
America was attacked from without and stared into an uncertain future. On 9/11
things appeared to have suddenly spiraled out of control and the American
people placed their hopes square upon the military. Americans—white, black, yellow,
red, and brown—realized that we simply wanted a fix “over there” to stop
any future attacks upon American soil. I saw and witnessed the transformation
of America where every Vet and service member was now honored and truly
appreciated. As a Vet, I appreciated the newfound and long overdue respect for the
military, but still shuddered a bit when my son went to Iraq with the Marines.
A Nation of Diversity
This country is made up of good
and bad people who do good and bad things to people of their own race as well
as other races. A white man who shoots a person of color or a person of color who
shoots a white man does not define a race of people. Yet, Colin Kaepernick, who
began the NFL protests said this: “I am
not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses
black people and people of color.” If the vast majority of non-black American
citizens do not oppress blacks and other people of color, his statement comes
across as simply a racist statement.
The supposed attention upon racial
inequality and police brutality has brought most of the attention upon those
who make millions through sport. Regardless of anyone’s intention, the result
has been to show disrespect for our country and those who have served and died
to defend it. Loving this country (despite
its many faults) is what it means to be an American and a true Patriot. Those
who refuse to show pride in the Stars and Stripes should travel with me to some
of the countries I have visited to see true oppression, poverty and despair.
Most players and coaches would never dream of showing the same kind of attitude
toward an opposing team before the game.
I’ve played sports all my life and
love the distraction of watching a good college football game. There have
always been good and bad examples. I was impressed by Deshaun Watson who saw
people hurting in Texas and gave his first game check to three Texan employees
who had lost cars or houses in the hurricane. If athletes are against black
oppression they should get back on their feet and go to areas where the
oppression is greatest (like inner city Chicago) and do something to directly
impact those who are being oppressed the most. Instead, they kneel during an
inappropriate time in the safety of an area where everyone has been thoroughly
searched to insure their personal safety and security.
An Improper Balance
If all of this is about free
speech and the First Amendment (which it is not) then why did the NFL threaten
to fine players who wanted to remember those who died on 9/11? Yet, a player
can wear “pig socks” because an anti-police movement is acceptable in the NFL?
NFL players can show disrespect for those who wear a badge when the vast majority
of the police are good decent hardworking men and women who serve to protect
others. One of the key players stoking the flames reportedly lied about being
singled out by the police in Las Vegas! Oh yes, my dad, in addition to being
retired military, served for ten years as Captain of a police force!
Why can’t the NFL stop the sitters
and squatters, but can refuse the Dallas Cowboys’ request to honor the slain
police officers with a simple helmet decal? The real problem is political
correctness and liberal agendas uniting to bring this country to its knees
through racial strife, division, and hatred. Alejandro Villanueva, an offensive
lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers, standing alone during the Anthem and
later apologizing is a great example. Why would a decorated Army Ranger who
fought for this country feel compelled to apologize for standing rather than kneeling
or skipping the anthem? Because it is not about the First Amendment or racial
equality—it is about silencing all those who would disagree with this
destructive political agenda.
Much work always needs to be done
concerning social justice and it always will. We actually appreciate the
peaceful civil disobedience but those protesting do not recognize that they are
treading upon the sanctity of those who have given their all so that the
protestors can have a voice in a free society. If it is not acceptable to spit
in the face or upon the graves of those who have served, then it is also
inconsiderate to refuse to honor those who have served by sitting, kneeling, or
skipping out during the National Anthem. No stadium is big enough to justify disrespecting
the flag which is representative of our country.
If Tim Tebow took a knee during
the National Anthem, the left would have been in an uproar and people like me
would have expressed our disdain too. Instead, he chose to acknowledge God when
he felt particularly blessed. His critics chose to ridicule him because it made
people feel uncomfortable to see such an open display of reverence toward God.
I understand the ridicule from those whose bearings have become stripped, but
Mr. Tebow also started charitable foundations and traveled throughout this land
and abroad in support of those particular beliefs. In other words, his display
on the field was simply an extension of himself and in no way done to garner
personal attention or financial benefit.
Greatest Country on Earth
Do you know why people flee other
countries to come to America? Because America is perfect? No, because we are
the best country in the world even when we are being divided by those who have
no respect for the fallen, the wounded warriors, those currently serving, or veterans.
These players have the right to take a knee to make a statement, yet many of
them do not think that those of us voicing our thoughts should be afforded equal
opportunity. We are deemed uncaring or worse yet, racially insensitive.
Whitney Houston’s rendition of the
National Anthem was a top-20 hit twice; once during the Persian Gulf War and
then after 9/11. After 9/11 we had police officers and firefighters singing the
National Anthem. Christina Aguilera and Roseanne Barr can attest to the
national reaction when the anthem is disrespected—why should we give NFL
players a pass? Francis Scott Key wrote,
“Our flag was still there” Now, it is being desecrated by those who have some
of the best opportunities of what this country offers no matter the race. According
to Forbes and the U.S. Army the average NFL salary is $2.1 million while the
average Army sergeant salary is $32,029. Why the disparity? Because some have
chosen to sacrifice while others are blessed to play for a living while being
protected by those who put their lives on the line every day.
End the Anthem
Now we are hearing that it may be time to end this once honored tradition of singing the National
Anthem and honoring our service members at sporting events. Those of us that
have served would rather see this hallowed tradition end than to witness the
disrespectful display by those who think their cause is more important than the
ones who have truly sacrificed to give them the right to disrespect. The fields are not equal: one plays for money
and the other fights and defends His country.
I do not think a boycott is best
since it will disproportionately impact blacks who make up a majority of those
playing in the NFL. Racism in all of its
many forms is despicable! But so is this blatant anti-Americanism! When NFL
players in London kneel for the U.S. National Anthem but stand for the British
one—“God Save the Queen,” they are
a national disgrace!
At the end of the day, the
greatest impact of this act has been to further divide this great country
between those who understand what that flag and the Anthem represent versus
those who desecrate both with dishonorable actions. While we are at it, why not
remove the flag pole from the stadium and let the fans decide whether they can
support such an un-American institution? Patriotism is infectious but so is disloyalty
to a country.
With the Anthem and the flag gone,
why continue the hundreds of military flyovers? It should be noted where the Anthem
and the flag are not welcome, neither are those who serve. Just remember this: when we end the Anthem
and strip the flag poles, those who wish to divide this country will probably
have the means to destroy it too. However, this pendulum could quickly swing in
the other direction but no patriotic American wants what it will take for sports
celebrities to again stand tall with their right hands once again upon their
hearts in unity.
