Trump Administration Meltdown Thread...

[testuser2]

I don't see how that will avoid pissing off the yinzers though - I can't wait to see the reaction on our message board, with all the outraged offended snowflakes who swear they are done with the NFL but won't fuckin' log off.

The Yinzers I know are pissed. They all said they are disappointed they stayed in the locker room. I'm hoping that means they wanted the players to be able to have the opportunity to protest/kneel in full view. What are my chances that they aren't really closeted racists fuckwits?

[duff]

I don't see how that will avoid pissing off the yinzers though - I can't wait to see the reaction on our message board, with all the outraged offended snowflakes who swear they are done with the NFL but won't fuckin' log off.

The Yinzers I know are pissed. They all said they are disappointed they stayed in the locker room. I'm hoping that means they wanted the players to be able to have the opportunity to protest/kneel in full view. What are my chances that they aren't really closeted racists fuckwits?

Not a betting man, but I would say that your odds aren't very good. I will let Brian set the odds.

[sancarlos]

https://twitter.com/RobbySlowik/status/ ... 4164857859

[Jerloma]

I don't see how that will avoid pissing off the yinzers though - I can't wait to see the reaction on our message board, with all the outraged offended snowflakes who swear they are done with the NFL but won't fuckin' log off.

The Yinzers I know are pissed. They all said they are disappointed they stayed in the locker room. I'm hoping that means they wanted the players to be able to have the opportunity to protest/kneel in full view. What are my chances that they aren't really closeted racists fuckwits?

Go Bears!!!!!

Fuck Rooney fuck Tomlin and fuck this team. I hope the bears kill them and these pussies lose every game.

Go pens fuck these commies and cunt Rooney. Go suck Obama's cock some more and maybe you can sign kapernick you fucking commie bastard

Jackoffs

So fucking disappointed in these PC assholes.

I never thought I'd see the day the Steelers would shame their heritage.

League of fucking rich assholes who don't Realize how lucky they are to be making millions!

Just a tiny sample.

[Baloney]

In the Falcons-Lions game FOX refused to show any kneeling players.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/ ... penick-fox

[The Sybian]

So fucking disappointed in these PC assholes.

I never thought I'd see the day the Steelers would shame their heritage.

League of fucking rich assholes who don't Realize how lucky they are to be making millions!

Wouldn't the politically correct thing be to follow customs and protocol and and stand to not make waves, despite your desire to protest?

[Jerloma]

Politically correct, which was a vacuous, subjective term to begin with, now means anything that the right disagrees with.

[Nonlinear FC]

Yeah, it's right up there with Fake News in terms of really having no real meaning other than something a right wing mouthbreather doesn't like, makes them uncomfortable, doesn't align with their bullshit views.

[Gunpowder]

Politically correct, which was a vacuous, subjective term to begin with, now means anything that the right disagrees with.

Pretty much. These dudes see something uncomfortable by dark people who don't work at McDonald's LIKE THEY DAMN WELL SHOULD BUNCHA THUGS and they get so offended.

[Steve of phpBB]

I especially liked Trump's contrast in his Alabama speech between "people like yourselves" turning on a game and seeing "those people" kneeling during the anthem.

[Pruitt]

I just heard some guy on the radio claim that players didn't even come out for the anthem until 2008.

I can't remember if this is true...

But isn't that around the time that the US military started paying the NFL for promoting their "brand?"

[brian]

I just heard some guy on the radio claim that players didn't even come out for the anthem until 2008.

I can't remember if this is true...

But isn't that around the time that the US military started paying the NFL for promoting their "brand?"

I think it was before 2008, but sometime after 9/11. So it's still a relatively recent thing.

[degenerasian]

I just think it's a missed opportunity. Yes the teams all made statements that were kind of vague but I wish all the players/teams made the same protest action or heck even have the team captains all make a statement before the coin toss like that often do in soccer regarding racism.

From an outsider like me, I'm not sure what the message is. Kaepernick took a knee to protest police brutality (during Obama's administration) and apparently that was a big problem for everyone such that basically no one joined him (despite the fact that that protest actually made sense). What happened this weekend was a direct response to Trump saying that people shouldn't disrespect the flag. This didn't happen the previous Sunday. Absent Trump sounding off, this wouldn't have happened yesterday. So is this simply an Fuck You to Trump? What happens next week?

[Nonlinear FC]

I'm not sure what Lebron is thinking about after basketball, but holy shit has that guy evolved into a pretty upstanding citizen. I mean, the fact that he's been almost an A celebrity from the middle of his high school years, he SHOULD be a god damned lunatic at this point.

I just watched him eviscerate Trump at this press conference. It was beautiful. He never raised his voice, never called him any names (though the back and forth about calling him a bum was both humorous and a little self-deprecatory. Slightly. He didn't really take it back, but said he might not include it if he wrote it today. Maybe.

But the takeaway from this weekend for so many is "rich athletes should just shut up. over-privileged and spoiled! leave if you don't like this country!"

Meanwhile, adults are trying to explain the difference between patriotism and nationalism and because mouthbreathers have been so brainwashed to equate symbolism with actual action, honor, duty... We have Trump's America.

I'm just heartened that more and more people are trying to do something about it.

=-=-=-=

Seeing another post before this went though..

Before 2009, they weren't on the field for the anthems. I believe that is the year the military started pumping millions of dollars to the NFL and then CFB for all the flyovers, recognizing active duty and veterans, big ass flag ceremonies, etc.

It's pretty fucked up, if you really sit back and think about it.

The last few years attending Caps games, they start in with recognizing whoever the fuck... I leave to get a drink or take a piss or just to not be there. I respect the fuck out of people serving the country. But this jingoistic shit got old for me a LONG time ago. And for fuck's sake... I'm not giving a standing O to some desk jockey in an AF uniform stationed out of Germany or whatever.

My son's commencement speaker was an alum (h.s.) with a medal of honor. Amazing speech and hell yeah he's getting a standing ovation. But, I'm sorry, dude's clocking checks and pushing paper? That probably makes me an asshole, but doing a job you signed up for doesn't make you a hero. I'll respect you. I'm not going to blindly worship a uniform.

[Steve of phpBB]

My son's commencement speaker was an alum (h.s.) with a medal of honor. Amazing speech and hell yeah he's getting a standing ovation. But, I'm sorry, dude's clocking checks and pushing paper? That probably makes me an asshole, but doing a job you signed up for doesn't make you a hero. I'll respect you. I'm not going to blindly worship a uniform.

Even the desk jockeys, though, made the commitment and volunteered to let their superiors send them into war zones. And even if combat isn't an issue, they are still volunteering to be sent thousands of miles from friends and families.

So yeah, maybe not everyone in a military uniform is a "hero," but they all made a commitment and a sacrifice.

[Nonlinear FC]

I just think it's a missed opportunity. Yes the teams all made statements that were kind of vague but I wish all the players/teams made the same protest action or heck even have the team captains all make a statement before the coin toss like that often do in soccer regarding racism.

From an outsider like me, I'm not sure what the message is. Kaepernick took a knee to protest police brutality (during Obama's administration) and apparently that was a big problem for everyone such that basically no one joined him (despite the fact that that protest actually made sense). What happened this weekend was a direct response to Trump saying that people shouldn't disrespect the flag. This didn't happen the previous Sunday. Absent Trump sounding off, this wouldn't have happened yesterday. So is this simply an Fuck You to Trump? What happens next week?

Yeah, for the most part this is very much a Fuck you to Trump and rightfully so. You saw where called anyone protesting a son of a bitch*, right? He's already HEAVILY signaled his racial perspective many many times, but most recently and blatantly after Charlottesville. That's the entire point of this weekend is that, yeah, in the absence of Trump's statement, this is still a fairly slow burn thing that won't go away for a bunch of reasons.

Trump rolled a grenade into a crowded room, yelled "fire", and then proceeded to set an actual fire. This is what he wanted. Distraction, fire up his racist base but also drag normally fairly neutral (well, latent racists) white america onto his side.

And, once again, you are way oversimplifying a situation. The NFL is a conglomerate of 32 businesses. They each get to make their own way, in large measure, when it comes to reacting to things like this. Especially when given almost no time to coordinate, inside of 48 hours of their respective games. And beyond that, each team has dozens and dozens of players, all of whom are operating under extreme pressure, fear and stress of losing their jobs.

What, you expected all of these factors to somehow be ignored, and for some massive unified position to unfold? When there ISN'T a unified position in the first place? C'mon, man.

* - I don't think most people understand the gravity of what Trump said. I think in White America, calling a woman a bitch is a bad thing. In Black America... You better be prepared to fight. And I'm not exaggerating. That's a fucking line in the sand moment.

I don't know if Trump knows that. Regardless, it's definitely why a lot of guys being interviewed yesterday were emotional. You don't call a black guys mom a bitch. You just don't.

[Ryan]

You don't call a black guys mom a bitch.

Latifah 2020

[Nonlinear FC]

https://theintercept.com/2017/09/25/col ... ald-trump/

This is from Shaun King, who has been calling for a boycott and is definitely in the camp that thinks Kap is being blackballed.

With that said, I think there's a lot of truth to what he is saying. It sure looked phony as fuck for Dan Snyder to be down there locking arms.

[EnochRoot]

I just heard some guy on the radio claim that players didn't even come out for the anthem until 2008.

I can't remember if this is true...

But isn't that around the time that the US military started paying the NFL for promoting their "brand?"

I think it was before 2008, but sometime after 9/11. So it's still a relatively recent thing.

The military is in bed with the NFL to promote recruitment....(It's tough to sell your product when you've been more or less the aggressor country the past 50 years)...

[Nonlinear FC]

Just want to reiterate, this is also going on with college football.

[Johnnie]

My son's commencement speaker was an alum (h.s.) with a medal of honor. Amazing speech and hell yeah he's getting a standing ovation. But, I'm sorry, dude's clocking checks and pushing paper? That probably makes me an asshole, but doing a job you signed up for doesn't make you a hero. I'll respect you. I'm not going to blindly worship a uniform.

Even the desk jockeys, though, made the commitment and volunteered to let their superiors send them into war zones. And even if combat isn't an issue, they are still volunteering to be sent thousands of miles from friends and families.

So yeah, maybe not everyone in a military uniform is a "hero," but they all made a commitment and a sacrifice.

If he received a Medal of Honor he did a whole helluva lot more than push papers, tho.

And that Mnunchin quote? It is absofuckinglutely NOT about the military. That's a patsy defense by scumbag who good and goddamn well knows we cannot speak out in defense of ourselves publicly on political issues. Fuck him, his gold digging wife, and usage of tax dollars to watch the eclipse. Fucking herb.

[P.D.X.]

* - I don't think most people understand the gravity of what Trump said. I think in White America, calling a woman a bitch is a bad thing. In Black America... You better be prepared to fight. And I'm not exaggerating. That's a fucking line in the sand moment.

Agreed. And not just the b word, but the "get back in your place" sentiment.

[Nonlinear FC]

To clarify, the guy that received the Medal of Honor was a certified badass. I was using him to contrast pushing paper.

And, look, I want to reiterate. I respect the Hell out of anyone that chooses that profession. Just like respect doctors, nurses, firefighters, police and a whole host of people that choose a profession that either serves other people, puts them in harms way or otherwise requires some measure of sacrifice.

But I truly think when it comes to professional sports, we've allowed a marketing and recruiting campaign to morph into faux patriotism. It's not healthy and it distorts how we view the military in a really unhealthy way.

This is an almost impossible discussion to have with a big chunk of the country. The fact that I'm seeing people talking about it at all today is another example of how valuable Kap's protest has been.

[Steve of phpBB]

And, look, I want to reiterate. I respect the Hell out of anyone that chooses that profession. Just like respect doctors, nurses, firefighters, police and a whole host of people that choose a profession that either serves other people, puts them in harms way or otherwise requires some measure of sacrifice.

This I agree with 100%. Military folks aren't the only ones who are making sacrifices for the good of others.

[degenerasian]

Thanks nonlinear. That was the clarification I needed cause I don't live there.

[The Sybian]

I just think it's a missed opportunity. Yes the teams all made statements that were kind of vague but I wish all the players/teams made the same protest action or heck even have the team captains all make a statement before the coin toss like that often do in soccer regarding racism.

From an outsider like me, I'm not sure what the message is. Kaepernick took a knee to protest police brutality (during Obama's administration) and apparently that was a big problem for everyone such that basically no one joined him (despite the fact that that protest actually made sense). What happened this weekend was a direct response to Trump saying that people shouldn't disrespect the flag. This didn't happen the previous Sunday. Absent Trump sounding off, this wouldn't have happened yesterday. So is this simply an Fuck You to Trump? What happens next week?

The NFL and individual team owners have tried very hard NOT to take a position or make a statement here. Many players support Kaepernick's initial protest, many oppose it. Mike Tomlin had a great statement in his press conference, saying they stayed in the locker room to protect players who wanted to kneel, and to protect players who oppose kneeling.

Prior to Trump's statement, owners have avoided discussing Kaepernick and their refusal to sign him. I support his protest, but if I owned a team, I don't think I would sign him because it is inviting a media feeding frenzy around your team, and guaranteed to affect the locker room, invite protests and boycotts. It sucks that he loses his career by taking a stand, but if I'm an owner, he isn't worth the risk. I think if he was a super talented player, he'd be in the league, but I also think if he didn't protest, someone would pick him up as a backup. I think most teams were brilliantly in how they played it off. By locking arms and showing unity, they didn't take a position, but showed unity to each other. The owners taking the field could seem like they supported players on both sides of the issue, without having to forbid or condone protests, while acting like they were doing something by locking arms.

Trump's comments received so much media attention and attacks from so many prominent athletes, every team was forced to respond. Most of the players I heard, even those who oppose kneeling, said they were unified with their teammates against Trump calling them out.

[Joe K]

Prior to Trump's statement, owners have avoided discussing Kaepernick and their refusal to sign him. I support his protest, but if I owned a team, I don't think I would sign him because it is inviting a media feeding frenzy around your team, and guaranteed to affect the locker room, invite protests and boycotts. It sucks that he loses his career by taking a stand, but if I'm an owner, he isn't worth the risk.

Unsurprisingly, I really hate this line of thinking. The risk of "locker room issues" is vastly overstated. Last season, the 49ers' players voted to award Kaepernick the team's leadership award. And in a league that's 70% black, I'd guess that Kaepernick is one of the more popular players among his peers.

As for your other points, saying that his protests are a risk not worth taking is really telling when teams routinely sign players -- including ones much less talented than CK -- with violent criminal histories. Saying that social activism is an unacceptable distraction, but violent felonies aren't, is quite the moral judgment in and of itself.

[Nonlinear FC]

Prior to Trump's statement, owners have avoided discussing Kaepernick and their refusal to sign him. I support his protest, but if I owned a team, I don't think I would sign him because it is inviting a media feeding frenzy around your team, and guaranteed to affect the locker room, invite protests and boycotts. It sucks that he loses his career by taking a stand, but if I'm an owner, he isn't worth the risk.

Unsurprisingly, I really hate this line of thinking. The risk of "locker room issues" is vastly overstated. Last season, the 49ers' players voted to award Kaepernick the team's leadership award. And in a league that's 70% black, I'd guess that Kaepernick is one of the more popular players among his peers.

As for your other points, saying that his protests are a risk not worth taking is really telling when teams routinely sign players -- including ones much less talented than CK -- with violent criminal histories. Saying that social activism is an unacceptable distraction, but violent felonies aren't, is quite the moral judgment in and of itself.

Yeah, I'd encourage folks to read that article I posted up thread. The owners and GMs aren't making a savvy business decision, they are punishing a guy they despise. I'm not saying there isn't SOME issue of not wanting the backlash, but that's not the sole driver here.

I'd also point out that it has been reported that some GMs have said it's not the media they are afraid of, it's what Trump would do to that team.

Think about that for a second.

[Joe K]

Prior to Trump's statement, owners have avoided discussing Kaepernick and their refusal to sign him. I support his protest, but if I owned a team, I don't think I would sign him because it is inviting a media feeding frenzy around your team, and guaranteed to affect the locker room, invite protests and boycotts. It sucks that he loses his career by taking a stand, but if I'm an owner, he isn't worth the risk.

Unsurprisingly, I really hate this line of thinking. The risk of "locker room issues" is vastly overstated. Last season, the 49ers' players voted to award Kaepernick the team's leadership award. And in a league that's 70% black, I'd guess that Kaepernick is one of the more popular players among his peers.

As for your other points, saying that his protests are a risk not worth taking is really telling when teams routinely sign players -- including ones much less talented than CK -- with violent criminal histories. Saying that social activism is an unacceptable distraction, but violent felonies aren't, is quite the moral judgment in and of itself.

Yeah, I'd encourage folks to read that article I posted up thread. The owners and GMs aren't making a savvy business decision, they are punishing a guy they despise. I'm not saying there isn't SOME issue of not wanting the backlash, but that's not the sole driver here.

I'd also point out that it has been reported that some GMs have said it's not the media they are afraid of, it's what Trump would do to that team.

Think about that for a second.

The other point is that any concerns about fan backlash against signing Kaepernick are weakened by the fact that any team that signed him would instantly pick up thousands, if not millions, of new fans. Kaepernick's jersey remained the best seller of any 49ers player even after he was no longer on the roster. It's just that owners either don't associate with, or don't care for, the types of people who support CK and would embrace a team for signing him.

[degenerasian]

Has any sportswriter taken the stand that we agreed with earlier that the national anthem shouldn't be played in the 4 major sports?

Where's Bronto? Here's your chance!

[DSafetyGuy]

Prior to Trump's statement, owners have avoided discussing Kaepernick and their refusal to sign him. I support his protest, but if I owned a team, I don't think I would sign him because it is inviting a media feeding frenzy around your team, and guaranteed to affect the locker room, invite protests and boycotts. It sucks that he loses his career by taking a stand, but if I'm an owner, he isn't worth the risk. I think if he was a super talented player, he'd be in the league, but I also think if he didn't protest, someone would pick him up as a backup. I think most teams were brilliantly in how they played it off. By locking arms and showing unity, they didn't take a position, but showed unity to each other. The owners taking the field could seem like they supported players on both sides of the issue, without having to forbid or condone protests, while acting like they were doing something by locking arms.

He is a super talented player. Carlos Hyde, Shaun Draughn, Jeremy Kerley, Quentin Patton, Garrett Celek, Vance McDonald, and Torrey Smith were the top skill position players beside him last season. Yes, he is not a super-polished passer (59.2% completion rate last season, 59.8% for his career), but he had a 4.8% TD rate (13th of 30 qualified passers), a career-best 1.2% INT rate (6th), and a 90.7 QB rating (17th - I know it's a shitty stat). He also averaged 6.8 yards per carry.

His skills, those numbers with a weak supporting cast, the fact that his teammates voted him the teammate leadership award, and the complete dearth on quarterback competency in the NFL right now says to me that he should be on a roster.

Kaepernick has never stated the salary he is looking for, but Spotrac lists 13 NFL teams with over $10 million in cap space right now and 21 teams with at least $7.5 million. The top six teams on that list are SF, CLE, JAX, TEN, IND, are NYJ and the Jets have almost $19 million in space. The Titans have Mariota and there are reports saying the Niners would have cut Kaep (for some fucking reason) had he not opted out and they have over $64 million in cap space. Zero excuses for the other four teams from a performance standpoint, although I understand the Browns looking to develop a rookie for the long run. Chicago has just under $12 million and that's with them throwing away $18 million on Mike Fucking Glennon. Denver has almost $11.5 million and just snagged Osweiler off the scrap heap (Fuck Elway and his support of Trump).

And, yes, any team that signed him would move A LOT of product at the team store/jersey booths at the stadium. He was 39th in the league in jersey sales on a list reported on August 1. They certainly would have gotten a significant chunk of money back in jersey sales.

There's wait lists for season tickets. Let's find out how many people are willing to walk away. Let's find out how many sponsors will walk away, knowing that there is an almost absolute certainty they'll be outed as pulling their sponsorship. You know Darren Rovell will be on that.

[The Sybian]

Prior to Trump's statement, owners have avoided discussing Kaepernick and their refusal to sign him. I support his protest, but if I owned a team, I don't think I would sign him because it is inviting a media feeding frenzy around your team, and guaranteed to affect the locker room, invite protests and boycotts. It sucks that he loses his career by taking a stand, but if I'm an owner, he isn't worth the risk.

Unsurprisingly, I really hate this line of thinking. The risk of "locker room issues" is vastly overstated. Last season, the 49ers' players voted to award Kaepernick the team's leadership award. And in a league that's 70% black, I'd guess that Kaepernick is one of the more popular players among his peers.

As for your other points, saying that his protests are a risk not worth taking is really telling when teams routinely sign players -- including ones much less talented than CK -- with violent criminal histories. Saying that social activism is an unacceptable distraction, but violent felonies aren't, is quite the moral judgment in and of itself.

I'd hate doing it, but as a team owner, I don't want to draw focus to my team on political. Kaepernick seems like a great guy, but the locker room will be affected by the media constantly asking other players about Kaep and his protest, rather than about the game or the team. If he was Antonio Brown-level talent, owners jump on him. Once defenses learned how to contain him, he wasn't very effective.

I can't speak to the other teams with cap space, but the Jets are in full money saving mode. Woody Johnson is off in London, serving as Trump's ambassador to the UK, so he cut or traded players to reduce salaries. He removed himself from all team operations, so he doesn't wan to spend. Besides, Hackenberg and Petty are both future HoFers who will bring multiple Lombardi Trophies to the Jets.

ETA: I don't condone violent felons on my roster, either.

[Joe K]

Prior to Trump's statement, owners have avoided discussing Kaepernick and their refusal to sign him. I support his protest, but if I owned a team, I don't think I would sign him because it is inviting a media feeding frenzy around your team, and guaranteed to affect the locker room, invite protests and boycotts. It sucks that he loses his career by taking a stand, but if I'm an owner, he isn't worth the risk.

Unsurprisingly, I really hate this line of thinking. The risk of "locker room issues" is vastly overstated. Last season, the 49ers' players voted to award Kaepernick the team's leadership award. And in a league that's 70% black, I'd guess that Kaepernick is one of the more popular players among his peers.

As for your other points, saying that his protests are a risk not worth taking is really telling when teams routinely sign players -- including ones much less talented than CK -- with violent criminal histories. Saying that social activism is an unacceptable distraction, but violent felonies aren't, is quite the moral judgment in and of itself.

I'd hate doing it, but as a team owner, I don't want to draw focus to my team on political. Kaepernick seems like a great guy, but the locker room will be affected by the media constantly asking other players about Kaep and his protest, rather than about the game or the team. If he was Antonio Brown-level talent, owners jump on him. Once defenses learned how to contain him, he wasn't very effective.

Many owners, most notably Woody Johnson, are quite poltical themselves. Seven different owners personally gave a full $1M to Trump's inauguration fund. So at least for those guys, staying apolitical is an extraordinarily weak excuse. Also, the whole notion that you need to be an Antonio Brown-level talent to engage in social activism and keep your job is itself a very strong political position.

For the idea that defenses "figured out" Kaepernick, see DSafe's post. The 49ers have had a massive drain in player and coaching talent since 2014. I think they're like 3-13 in the last 16 games that someone other than Kaepernick has started at QB, so he was hardly the problem.

[Shirley]

I think most teams were brilliantly in how they played it off. By locking arms and showing unity, they didn't take a position, but showed unity to each other. The owners taking the field could seem like they supported players on both sides of the issue, without having to forbid or condone protests, while acting like they were doing something by locking arms.

The owners were out there to protest Trump telling people to boycott the NFL. If he had only attacked the kneelers, they'd have stayed in their luxury boxes.

[A_B]

I think most teams were brilliantly in how they played it off. By locking arms and showing unity, they didn't take a position, but showed unity to each other. The owners taking the field could seem like they supported players on both sides of the issue, without having to forbid or condone protests, while acting like they were doing something by locking arms.

The owners were out there to protest Trump telling people to boycott the NFL. If he had only attacked the kneelers, they'd have stayed in their luxury boxes.

Check out Shirley sharpe over here.

[Shirley]

I think most teams were brilliantly in how they played it off. By locking arms and showing unity, they didn't take a position, but showed unity to each other. The owners taking the field could seem like they supported players on both sides of the issue, without having to forbid or condone protests, while acting like they were doing something by locking arms.

The owners were out there to protest Trump telling people to boycott the NFL. If he had only attacked the kneelers, they'd have stayed in their luxury boxes.

Check out Shirley sharpe over here.

Is that what he said? I resisted watching a clip of him talking.

[The Sybian]

Many owners, most notably Woody Johnson, are quite poltical themselves. Seven different owners personally gave a full $1M to Trump's inauguration fund. So at least for those guys, staying apolitical is an extraordinarily weak excuse. Also, the whole notion that you need to be an Antonio Brown-level talent to engage in social activism and keep your job is itself a very strong political position.

For the idea that defenses "figured out" Kaepernick, see DSafe's post. The 49ers have had a massive drain in player and coaching talent since 2014. I think they're like 3-13 in the last 16 games that someone other than Kaepernick has started at QB, so he was hardly the problem.

Sure, I know many owners are political and Trump supporters, and I damned well know Woody bought his Ambassadorship, the cushiest of all Ambassadorships. Social activism is great, but as a team owner, if my employee is bringing negative attention or distraction to my team for something he is doing on the field, his talent has to outweigh distractions.

I fully support the kneeling protest, but if an owner or coach wants to prohibit a player from kneeling, I don't have a problem with that, either. They are an employee, and if the owner sees that as a negative for his team, the owner can fire the player. Where I do have a problem is the President crying about peaceful protests and calling on the players/Jemele Hill to be fired. That is a blatant violation of Free Speech and a step down the road to a dictatorship. That can't be tolerated.

[Johnnie]

Pop is the greatest. Hands down.

https://youtu.be/Jv4vCOSf8gM

[Joe K]

I fully support the kneeling protest, but if an owner or coach wants to prohibit a player from kneeling, I don't have a problem with that, either. They are an employee, and if the owner sees that as a negative for his team, the owner can fire the player.

I'm curious how far you'd go with this principle in the NFL context. Would you have a problem with a player getting cut for speaking out about concussions or player safety issues? What about if an owner demanded that his GM cut a player who served as the team's union rep after a contentious CBA negotiation? These questions are particularly problematic in the NFL, where contracts are not guaranteed. While I get the principle of at-will employment, it's easy to see how teams cutting guys for any form of activism or speech could be problematic for the league as a whole.

[sancarlos]

The 2016 Patriots are totally going to be the first, and only, pro sports team to visit Trump at the White House. With the high number of Latino players in baseball, it's hard to imagine any MLB team going.

Penguins are going.

http://www.tsn.ca/penguins-will-still-v ... e-1.865244

Interesting commentary from hockey talking heads:

https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/statu ... 3781259265