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posted by janrinok on Saturday May 26 2018, @10:38AM   Printer-friendly
from the free-speech dept.

Al Jazeera reports

The National Football League (NFL) announced a new policy that will fine teams an undetermined amount if players on the field fail to stand during the national anthem.

[...] The new policy does not require players be present during the anthem, allowing those who wish to protest and not attend the ceremonial act to remain in the locker room.

Players said they were not consulted and threatened to challenge the policy in the courts. A statement by the NFL Players Association said its athletes had shown ample patriotism by way of their social activism and community support initiatives.

[...] New York Jets chairman Christopher Johnson said he supported the measure out of obligation to the membership, but said players can take a knee or perform another type of protest without fear of repercussion from the team. He will pay their fines.

"If somebody [on the Jets] takes a knee, that fine will be borne by the organisation, by me, not the players. I never want to put restrictions on the speech of our players," Johnson said.

New York Magazine notes

The monetary risk to Johnson isn't huge, since no Jets players took a knee last season. [...] Johnson is currently acting as owner of the team while his brother, Woody Johnson, serves as Trump's ambassador to Britain.


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  • (Score: 0, Flamebait) by Ethanol-fueled on Saturday May 26 2018, @08:49PM (5 children)

    by Ethanol-fueled (2792) on Saturday May 26 2018, @08:49PM (#684658) Homepage

    It's about a refuge where Americans can ignore vicious governmental and political bullshit and be distracted, where the only politics should be between the players and their coaches. And thanks to one kinda-talented quarterback on the chopping-block desperate to save his own ass, the NFL has allowed itself to create its own monster. Even more infuriating is that Kapernick was adopted by White parents into a life more privileged than many of his Black compatriots and he has the goddamn nerve to bitch about social injustice. What a petulant little shit.

    " Waaahhh! You're not my real mommy! You're not my real country! *kicks feet* *throws spoon*

    Now, thanks to Kapernick opening the door, even the NFL isn't safe from the Jews' grasp and their useful idiots the homos. I hear Keith Olbermann is going to go to ESPN, and no, I'm not joking about that.

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 26 2018, @10:08PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 26 2018, @10:08PM (#684678)

    ...says the empty shell of a human who has zero empathy.

    One doubts that you have ever once stood on principle.
    ...because you have no principles.
    ...though you are very accomplished at the slimy practice of scapegoating.

    -- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]

  • (Score: 2) by realDonaldTrump on Sunday May 27 2018, @12:28AM (2 children)

    by realDonaldTrump (6614) on Sunday May 27 2018, @12:28AM (#684704) Homepage Journal

    I don't think you've run a cash business. And I think you'd have a hard time running a cash business. Like a casino. Let me tell you, the only kind of people I want counting my money are little short guys that wear yarmulkes every day.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 27 2018, @02:57AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 27 2018, @02:57AM (#684734)

    > a refuge where Americans can ignore vicious governmental and political bullshit and be distracted

    That was invented a long time ago and perhaps the best practitioners were the Grateful Dead...who sold out big arenas for years and years.