Due to recent comments from our countries leader Donald Trump, players have been protesting during the national anthem before games. Donald Trump stated that any player that decides to kneel during the national anthem should be fired or released immediately from the team he played on. These comments have only increased the amount of protesting throughout the league.
This past Sunday the Pittsburgh Steelers were scheduled to play the Chicago Bears. Just like every other game the players warmed up, but their was still something different about this pre-game. Almost the entire Steelers team decided to to show up for the national anthem. They just stayed in the locker room until kickoff. Only one player lined up on the sideline with his hand over his heart for the anthem. When asked about it Mike Tomlin, Steelers head coach, said " people shouldn't have to choose, if a guy wants to go about his normal business and participate in the anthem, he shouldn't be forced to choose sides."
The only Steelers player to stand was, Army Ranger, Alejandro Villanueva. He served three tours in Afghanistan. He is a recipient of the Bronze Star medal for overseas service and the Bronze Star medal for valor.
1. Do you think it is better to kneel during the national anthem, or to not even show up?
2. How would you feel if you were in Villanueva's shoes?
3. Did Mike Tomlin make a good decision, on keeping the team in the locker room?
I think it is better to let your players decide if they want to kneel or not. If they want to protest let them. It is not fair to some of the players to be kept in the locker room. If I was Villanueva U would feel bad because he served our country and there are people that won't even stand up for the national anthem.
Replies
Good topic choice and summary! Be sure to comment more and on three different days next time. Also be sure to capitalize the words in your title.
If you aren't even going to stand and respect the flag you shouldn't show up because it is more disrespectful to kneel during the national anthem than to not participate in it. I would feel the need to stand before the flag because he did serve for the country, so I would definitely go out even if I was standing by myself. I think if he was going to have players that wouldn't stand it was a good choice for him to keep them in there, rather than having them disrespect the flag in the eyes of the public.
I don't think that you can differ in good or bad in this case. Everyone should decide for themselves what they are doing. If I was in Villanueva's shoes, I would probably feel a little bit lonely, standing there alone but also proud because I am standing there no matter what my teammates or other people might be thinking. Did he really keep the team in the locker room? Because if yes, why was there someone who was on the field and doesn't that mean that they did have a choice?
1 - I think that if you aren't going to stand during the national anthem you shouldn't show up and show the disrespect. If you don't want to stand don't show the rest of the U.S. that you can't appreciate your country and those that gave their lives for you to be able to have the option of kneeling during the national anthem.
I think that the player should be able to decide if they want to participate in the national anthem or not. It is there choice so if they want to protest they should just let them do what they want to let the people know how they feel. If anyone was Villanueva they would feel bad because he served and the people that don't stand probably make him feel like he didn't matter and that would make anyone upset. I think Mike should have let them make the decision of staying in the locker room or not.
I think the people who are kneeling are just doing it to protest which isn't the right reason to do it, so I think it was a good idea for them to stay in the locker room instead of protesting. I think he feels like he's doing the right thing and maybe his other players aren't respecting him of the nation. I think it was a good idea.
I think it is better to kneel because at least you're there showing a little respect to the flag. Well, I feel like it was important for him to go out there and show what some respect at least. I think that the team had a choice and he should of addressed that at least.
I feel its one of those things where you can or not. But if your not its better to stay inside where its not noticable. I would feel odd when the time came, but he understands and knows what its like to be in war. I think yes because its showing that Americans have an opinion on what they do. Its not a law to stand for the anthem
I think it is disrespectful because you are sitting and not showing respect for the people that fought for this country and showed pride for this country and got us to the place we are now. He should've showed a little more respect than he did.
If I was in Villanuevas shoes I would be proud of myself for doing what I believed in even if the rest of the team was telling me it was wrong or something. I dont think he made a good decision because people are honoring the flag before your game which they are there to cheer you on and not standing for the country you live in is ridiculous.
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