New Dolphins only policy “Proper Anthem Conduct”

not true, wait for an accurate report before we villify.

Proud of Ross.

The first thing I'd say here is that the players are all employees of the Miami Dolphins. As such if the employer states they can't do x, y or z, then it is "fair" for the employer to have a right to punish any employee that doesn't follow the rules. For example if my employer says you can't drink alcohol during work hours and I decide to have a beer on my dinner because it's been a hard day, then my employer would be well within their right to take disciplinary action against me for breaching my contract. Now I appreciate the players reasoning for kneeling is totally different to drinking a beer on your dinner hour, but as employees we are contractually obliged to follow a set of rules and if we don't follow them then disciplinary action is not unreasonable.

My stance on players kneeling during the anthem is that I have no problem with it because they aren't disrespecting the flag or the anthem if they are holding a silent protest. However if they are dancing around or doing something disrespectful during the anthem, or they throw the flag on the floor, then that's a different matter entirely. So as long as they are respectful, then I have no issue with them kneeling in silence because they are still honoring the anthem and flag by protesting respectfully. With that said, if your employer states you can't do something and you do it, then as I said above disciplinary action is not unreasonable.

The issue with this topic is it's divisive. As such there'll be a group of people that want the players punished and would consider boycotting if action isn't taken, but there'll also be a group of people that think action against these players is wrong and would consider boycotting if action is taken. So it's a tough place for the team to be in because taking action will offend one group, while not taking action will offend another. You can't keep everyone happy when it comes to topics like this. The team is damned if they do, damned if they don't.

As much as they keep saying it’s not about the flag it is. It’s intentional disrespect to this country. F em. I hope they all get the same fate as Kap.

Stupid fucking anthem at sporting events. Thanks, Woodrow Wilson.

I don't ever pay attention to what players do pre kick off, why this is such a big deal kneel or no kneel I don't know. Guess people love complaining.

"mooseguts wrote:

I don't ever pay attention to what players do pre kick off, why this is such a big deal kneel or no kneel I don't know. Guess people love complaining.

Imo it’s like a Muhammad Ali situation, he protested the war in Vietnam citing African Americans were being treated like sh##, not even being allowed in some restaurants but yet you want us to die for the country who’s just letting it all happen..

Problem is lots of folks are taking it as, you are disrespecting our troops..

"djphinfan wrote:

Imo it’s like a Muhammad Ali situation, he protested the war in Vietnam citing African Americans were being treated like sh##, not even being allowed in some restaurants but yet you want us to die for the country who’s just letting it all happen..

Problem is lots of folks are taking it as, you are disrespecting our troops..

Yeah that's probably my biggest gripe with this whole thing. The disrespecting the troops thing. I am a 10 year Air Force veteran and as far as I'm concerned I do not feel disrespected. Protesting is one of the many rights I signed up to defend therefore if someone wants to exercise those rights more power to them. I believe when I raised my right hand I swore to defend the constitution there was no unless someone does something you don't like part.

If people really truly cared about veterans, instead of not showing up to games you already paid for to protest the players protest give those tickets to a veteran or active duty member. Instead of throwing out your gear go donate it to the VA. Hell go volunteer at a VA clinic or do something besides pretend like all of a sudden veterans need someone to speak for them. Most people who are offended love supporting the troops with words but hardly ever with action. Unless the action is easy like changing the channel or turning off the tv since that doesn't require the hassle of leaving home.

"Finatik wrote:

As much as they keep saying it’s not about the flag it is. It’s intentional disrespect to this country. F em. I hope they all get the same fate as Kap.

F Them all is right!!! How about that guy using the restroom too! And that girl buying beer!?! How about the concession stand employees?! How dare they not pause from serving me my hotdog and salute the anthem!!! Let’s not forget that one guy who’s setting his fantasy lineup....disrespecting Merica like that!!!

I applaud the Dolphins organization for the stance they are taking and they are well within THEIR rights to do so. Everyone seems to forget that the NFL, the Miami Dolphins and every other team in the league are a business and these businesses EMPLOY personnel, to include the players. That's right, these players are employees of their respective organizations. If anyone else can tell me of a business in which the employees can do whatever they want without consequences while in uniform, on the clock and at their place of duty...

I know as an employee of AT&T, I can't just do whatever I want while in uniform and at work. I have to follow the guidelines set forth or suffer the consequences. While off duty, I can do whatever I want. It's no different for these EMPLOYEES of the Miami Dolphins

Trying to compare your own 9-5 to what is, essentially, a celebrity position is just not a good comparison.

I get why the league wants to tamp it down, but they (Goodell and the owners) have botched this from the very start and continue to do so. Potentially imposing a 4 game suspension for someone who takes a knee to protest racial injustice could potentially get a longer suspension than pussy grabber Jameis or wife beater Ray Rice? That is just boneheaded optics.

As for the kneeling/saluting itself ... it's not about troops no matter how much you want to make it so. Stop making it a you problem. You are making a conscious and deliberate choice to misinterpret and then making another conscious choice to be offended by that misinterpretation.

Seems the NFL has put it and all policies on hold for the moment though. Good for them.

Papa John was the main sponsor of the NFL that had a problem with the protests against racial injustice.

Now, he's in trouble for making racist remarks.

Coincidence...I think not, lol.

I served four years in the military during the Vietnam Era. I always thought I was defending the freedoms we have in America, including the right to express ones opposition through peaceful
demonstration.
While I personally stand for the National Anthem, I have no problem with players who express their displeasure with racial issues in America by kneeling during the playing of the Anthem.

Perhaps it is time to do away with the playing of the National Anthem at all sporting events if it is going to create such an issue for the right wingers in America. I will be extremely upset if any player on the Dolphins is fined or suspended simply for expressing his freedom of expression.

This just gives me another reason to dislike Ross and to continue to have less and less interest in the NFL today.

I don't care if they are Pro athletes or movie stars their still no better than you or me. It is their 9 to 5 job. Movie star or pro athlete it's still a personal opinion. They are not god like. Taking advantage of a businesses air time is restricted or they would have logo's and crap pasted all over themselves. Their point is important but it's not in the correct place.

We had a conversation here not to long ago about how journalism works in the modern world- strict deadlines, low pay, rarely fact checked, etc. This is the other part though where journalists can be complete jerks and ruin a country.

Someone at the start of this reported that "People are Furious at NFL Players for Disrespecting Our Troops & Our Flag." Nobody but the actual reporter thought that, mind you, but they chose that title because it's something that gets folks pissed off....and that earns tons of page views. It's a flat-out lie on many levels though- first about it being an issue (because it wasn't when the story broke) and second about using "people"....that makes it seem like it's this massive group of millions of protesters. The reality is that it's usually a very small minority that wants to stir something up to change public opinion. Without the media playing games, this is never a story because people didn't care.

That's why you see interviews with troops, cops and others saying they don't understand the uproar....because they were never actually asked before some dip-shit reporter said the whole country was furious. And that forces people to take sides....do I side with our military that's so upset or do I support the players? It's a no-brainer....you support the flag on some journalist's made up problem. Even the president was dumb enough to fall for this one and weigh in on the fake issue.

Folks, players have stated they are kneeling for racial inequality. If you take it as an insult to the flag, then so be it, but the players have clearly stated that it's not their intention. Almost every single player protesting has done interviews saying they're proud to be Americans and they support our troops.

And it's your right to be okay with it or not...this is clearly your choice. Just know that you've been played like a fiddle from some 19 year old journalist to consider this an issue in the first place. The anthems weren't even televised before this story was fabricated into something you should actually care about, and you were lied to over and over again about why it matters.

That's social journalism in America though- the facts don't matter nearly as much as the clicks. And in this case, it threatened to take down the entire league that all of us love...just so some geek could impress his boss and earn an extra $15 a story.

You got played folks, regardless of your opinion here.

"KeyFin wrote:

Someone at the start of this reported that "People are Furious at NFL Players for Disrespecting Our Troops & Our Flag." Nobody but the actual reporter thought that, mind you....

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color." That's his quote. Not sure why you all keep saying its not about the flag. Why you keep saying he isn't disrespecting the country. From his own mouth.

And they're are quit a bit of people "furious" at NFL players for disrespecting our flag. Just because you say it isn't so doesn't make it true.

Great!

Just what I was hoping for!!

This irrelevant topic headlining yet another football season. Can’t wait for all the sports talk shows to lead with this story, really love hearing/reading about it.

Don’t get NEARLY enough politics from the idiots on social media who align them selves with a political party and don’t budge for any topic. Need more tools like that in my life.

"CaribPhin wrote:

Imagine writing this with a quill by gaslight in 1773.

This shows a compete lack of understanding of history. The colonies were being denied their lawful rights as Englishmen in regards to the taxation.

No one in the NFL is being denied their lawful rights.

"The_Dark_Knight wrote:

I applaud the Dolphins organization for the stance they are taking and they are well within THEIR rights to do so. Everyone seems to forget that the NFL, the Miami Dolphins and every other team in the league are a business and these businesses EMPLOY personnel, to include the players. That's right, these players are employees of their respective organizations. If anyone else can tell me of a business in which the employees can do whatever they want without consequences while in uniform, on the clock and at their place of duty...

I know as an employee of AT&T, I can't just do whatever I want while in uniform and at work. I have to follow the guidelines set forth or suffer the consequences. While off duty, I can do whatever I want. It's no different for these EMPLOYEES of the Miami Dolphins

So neat when average people compare their insignificant jobs to that of professional athlete who has the stage of the entire nation.

"Fin-O wrote:

Great!

Just what I was hoping for!!

This irrelevant topic headlining yet another football season. Can’t wait for all the sports talk shows to lead with this story, really love hearing/reading about it.

Don’t get NEARLY enough politics from the idiots on social media who align them selves with a political party and don’t budge for any topic. Need more tools like that in my life.

lol.. be honest though, it's better than all those lava bombs each side threw in this forum's Tannehill wars in past years (at least I think so).

"The_Dark_Knight wrote:

I applaud the Dolphins organization for the stance they are taking and they are well within THEIR rights to do so. Everyone seems to forget that the NFL, the Miami Dolphins and every other team in the league are a business and these businesses EMPLOY personnel, to include the players. That's right, these players are employees of their respective organizations. If anyone else can tell me of a business in which the employees can do whatever they want without consequences while in uniform, on the clock and at their place of duty...

I know as an employee of AT&T, I can't just do whatever I want while in uniform and at work. I have to follow the guidelines set forth or suffer the consequences. While off duty, I can do whatever I want. It's no different for these EMPLOYEES of the Miami Dolphins

If someone can tell me of a business that plays the national anthem at the start of the work day and requires the employees to stand or face repercussion I'd like to see that. Or a business that gives 47% of it's revenue to its employees.

Here's a picture of members of congress saying the pledge of allegiance. Where's the outrage for those who aren't standing up?

Those Congress members should all be standing.

Do you think anyone would have an issue with these players going on their own time to have a protest really? They could use their celebrity status to organize rallies. But they don't want to do that. They want to use someone else's money and time to protest?

"resnor wrote:

Those Congress members should all be standing.

Do you think anyone would have an issue with these players going on their own time to have a protest really? They could use their celebrity status to organize rallies. But they don't want to do that. They want to use someone else's money and time to protest?

They used some else's money and time to kneel during the anthem? I don't remember games being delayed due to the protest. How much money does it cost to kneel compared to stand during a roughly 2 minute performance?

"Carmen Cygni wrote:

So neat when average people compare their insignificant jobs to that of professional athlete who has the stage of the entire nation.

Non Sequitur

First, is there anything more "insignificant" than running around with a ball while other men try to tackle you? Off hand I can't think of many.

It doesn't matter if more people watch Tom Brady at work than watch The Dark Knight at work. They are both at work.