I haven’t written anything in a few days … but it’s exhausting to go places and speak a few minutes, so I just haven’t.
But I’m excited about the NFL starting. And I hear there is going to be a lot of BLACK LIVES MATTER messaging and activism so I will tune in.
Some folks think sports are for fun and enjoyment and may decide to stay away because they watch sports “to get away from it all” and just to enjoy. They may look to sports as a unifying and enjoyable time with friends and family and would prefer not to have politics and activism muddy it.
And for fans who follow the sport over the years they might remember:
In 2013, the NFL fined Brandon Marshall for wearing green cleats to raise awareness for people with mental health disorders during mental health awareness week. He himself has mental health struggles and wanted to bring more awareness to the issue and start some conversations about it.
In 2014, Robert Griffin III (RG3) entered a post-game press conference wearing a shirt that said “Know Jesus Know Peace” but turned it inside out to avoid what he knew would be a fine (after already being fined twice for non-approved clothing) before speaking at the podium.
Cam Heyward was fined twice for writing his father’s name in eye black as a tribute to his father’s losing battle with cancer.
In 2015, DeAngelo Williams was fined for wearing “Find the Cure” eye black for breast cancer awareness. They also denied his request to wear pink all season. He lost his mom to breast cancer in 2014.
In 2015, William Gay was fined for wearing purple cleats to raise awareness for domestic violence. (Not that the NFL has a domestic violence problem…). His mother was killed in an act of domestic violence.
In 2016, the NFL prevented the Dallas Cowboys from wearing a decal on their helmet in honor of 5 Dallas Police officers killed in the line of duty. Because of their strict rules. These police officers were ambushed while protecting demonstrators.
In 2016, the NFL threatened to fine players who wanted to wear cleats to commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Ultimately, because of extreme fury from fans, after threatening players, they begrudgingly announced they wouldn’t levy the fines.
The NFL has a history of enforcing rules that punish individuality – and individual messages … from colorful socks or armbands or decals or eye black messages….
Social causes such as mental health, cancer, domestic violence, for ambushed police, or for the Memory of 9/11… The NFL has been punitive. Or threatening. There is a long list of examples.
But. I forgot where I was going with this. Is football really soccer in Europe? You know the thing they say, the average NFL salary is only $2.7 million. And the fans want MORE politics in their daily lives. There isn’t enough. So, I’m sure any demonstrations or political or social messages of any kind will be welcome and increase the viewers. It worked for the NBA. Well, their viewers have declined almost 50 percent, but that’s because people are listening to their record players more I think.
I need to find my lucky jersey and get ready for some football! Go Redskins! Where’s Hunter?
Come on, man.
Sorry that coming to terms with the fact that you’re a racist makes sports less enjoyable for you, but NFL viewership will be fine, trust me. Political messages have been rife within the MLB as well, most notably when Mookie Betts decided to not play in a Dodgers-Giants game in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake. My favorite part about this incident is that the entire team had his back; they all decided not to play that day and so the game was cancelled. It was a heartwarming moment, and reminded me of when the Dodgers decided to all wear the number 42 in support of Jackie Robinson.
And yet, viewership of the MLB is the highest it’s ever been. Weird how that works.
Viewership WAS the highest, but it has had a steep decline. Cause and effect are impossible to know. Love to you. I think most people agree that love and unity, freedom and equality, hope and fair justice — this is needed for all Americans. And, we can all help promote these ideals and live these ideals in our actions daily.