Social media explodes after NFL ruling on national anthem
Social media reacted swiftly to the unanimous decision by NFL owners that require players and personnel to stand during the national anthem if they are on the field, but gives them the option to remain in the locker room.
Related: Olympian John Carlos, who raised a fist in 1968" on taking a knee
Related: NFL adopts new policy on national anthem protests
Related: Roger Goodell's statement on national anthem policy
Teams could face a fine if the new rules aren’t followed.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said the decision is a matter of respect for the flag.
Several players, most notably Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid, took a knee during performance of the national anthem to protest the killing of African Americans and other minorities by police.
Kaepernick is now a free agent, but no teams have picked him up since he first took a knee in 2016.
I hope the NFL decides to completely stop all concession stand sales during the anthem as well. We wouldn’t want people buying a $10 beer and an $8 hot dog during our sacred anthem.
— Sage Rosenfels (@SageRosenfels18) May 23, 2018
All TV camera crews must stop filming and direct attention at the flag too.
Just seems fair.
The NFL made a ban on kneeling in protest, but it hasn't made a ban on players charged with assault, rape, and other forms of violence against women.
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) May 23, 2018
This league cares more about white male fragility than anything else.
Nothing else matters to them. Nothing.
“Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room...until after the Anthem has been performed." So Goodell and the NFL figure if the troublemakers aren’t on camera, they’ll start getting fans back? #lol #BoycottNFL https://t.co/i3fQxv7Z7F
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) May 23, 2018
This is codifying racism into the game of American football to suppress free speech. The NFL--which receives $ to promote the military-- is creating a game rule that specifically penalizes Black athletes' protest of racism & police violence. NFL athletes are majority Black. https://t.co/zeN0iVbszc
— Bree Newsome (@BreeNewsome) May 23, 2018
We live in day and age where two world class athletes have been effectively banned from the NFL over a peaceful demonstration.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) May 23, 2018
It's hard to know the time in history that you are living in when you are in it, but we are living in a truly disturbing time. https://t.co/FIZadIOtci
We live in day and age where two world class athletes have been effectively banned from the NFL over a peaceful demonstration.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) May 23, 2018
It's hard to know the time in history that you are living in when you are in it, but we are living in a truly disturbing time. https://t.co/FIZadIOtci
The NFL players’ protests have never been about the military or the flag. They’re about police brutality and white supremacy. Failing to protest injustice in America is not patriotic, it’s dangerous. #TakeAKnee
— ACLU (@ACLU) May 23, 2018
The NFL folds to Trump and conservative America, can you say WINNING!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/uyrOM3Bs6o
— AmericansForFamily (@2ParentFamily) May 23, 2018
I've been a big fan of the #NFL since I was a kid. I've bought #Tennessee Titans tickets for years but they won't get another penny from me or my family. Have fun at your conservative Sunday rallies. #NFLBoycott #RESIST
— billy davis (@billyndavis) May 23, 2018
Live look into the nfl owners meeting pic.twitter.com/mpCGtxFPBR
— 🇯🇲PapiSwish🇯🇲 (@JasonLeeSwisher) May 23, 2018
The NFL is giving a master class in institutionalized racism! Their collusion against Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) & Eric Reid (@E_Reid35); their new fines for kneeling... The @NFL does not care about BLACK People! #NFL #NFLCollusion #NFLBoycott #ColinKaepernick #EricReid
— Jawn Murray (@JawnMurray) May 23, 2018
About the Author
Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.
