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Title: ‘Goodbye Pittsburgh Steelers, Burn In Hell’: Angry Fans Burn Gear Over National Anthem Protest
Source:
CBS Pittsburgh
URL Source: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2017 ... urn-gear-over-national-anthem/
Published: Sep 25, 2017
Author: staff
Post Date: 2017-09-25 16:34:46 by Tooconservative
Keywords: None
Views: 12741
Comments: 57
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh Steelers fans are taking to social media to show how upset they are that the team stayed inside during the national anthem. Fans have posted numerous videos on social media of themselves burning their Steelers gear. “I’m a lifelong Steelers fan, not anymore. Not a fan of you, the NFL, any of it,” says Jim Heaney on YouTube. Heaney posted the video of himself setting all of his Steelers gear on fire following the team’s decision to decide to stay inside the locker room/tunnel during the national anthem. “And I hope all your ignorance burns too,” Heaney says as he throws his Steelers gear on the fire. Heaney ends his video by saying, “there you go, goodbye Pittsburgh Steelers, burn in hell, Semper Fi.” In another video posted to YouTube, Robert Williams of Texas posted a video of himself burning hundreds of dollars in Steelers gear. “We have morals in this country. We stand for this country. My great uncle’s bones are lying in the bottom of Pearl Harbor. For this country, for the flag, for your freedom to play in the NFL and to say whatever you want to say. But you do not disrespect the flag and the country and the Constitution. So watch this stuff burn,” Williams says. — Starving1 (@ArvinGibbs) September 24, 2017 In a video posted to Twitter, and shared more than 15,000 times, Arvin Gibbs is seen on video burning a Steelers sweatshirt and hat, while holding an American flag. “Super Bowl right? As if I care, what I care about is this country, what I care about is freedom, and it’s all about those stars and stripes,” Williams says. “Never again will waste one minute of my life following the NFL or the Pittsburgh Steelers,” another YouTube video user says. “I am no longer am a Steelers fan or of anyone that will not stand for our anthem no matter your political views or color of your skin. I hope your sport goes up in flames like my shirt did,” says Christos Kallas. “Today after 30 years of loving the Pittsburgh Steelers I’m going burn my Steelers jersey . They have taken a great American sport that people use to forget there problems with and turned it into a political circus that disrespects our Country and our Military that gave there lives for your freedom,” posted YouTube user Michael Hesson. The protest was also the main topic of discussion on 93-7 The Fan Monday morning. “They announced that the Steelers previously weren’t going to come on the field for the national anthem. When they came on the field, the whole bar booed, the whole single bar,” said one caller. “I actually got up and left I was so upset.” Head coach Mike Tomlin, who stood on the sideline without his team, said the team made the decision during a meeting on Saturday. Lisa Washington’s Report: Some fans believe the Steelers’ organization will suffer because of the action. “I don’t think the Steelers are going take a long-term hit,” said another caller. “I think it will be temporary hit, maybe the next couple of games. I think people will talk about it, but if they start winning, if they start producing, it will blow over, because as we know in this country, winning cures all.” Some fans said they supported Alejandro Villanueva, Steelers offensive tackle and a former U.S. Army Ranger. He stood near the tunnel Sunday during the National Anthem, with his hand over his heart. His teammates stood behind him. “Al Villanueva, he knows the real meaning of teamwork because he led men in combat,” said one caller. “He’s probably saying to himself, what am I doing with this group of people?” . . . 
I have been a Steelers fan since 1966, but no more. pic.twitter.com/9W4oMl1EhF
Poster Comment:
The comments section is very angry stuff. But who knows how many actual Steelers fans will take the pledge. Even so, that is brutal reporting for a team like Steelers to see in a local TV station. At least one famous Steelers fan is swearing off the team: Rush Limbaugh, a huge Steelers fan for decades. The mystique is gone. That actually started vanishing a while ago. The larger-than-life aspect of it is gone. The belief, the wish, the desire that the people in the game were the best and brightest and special, and that’s why they were there, that’s gone. And it’s been politicized. It has been politicized and corrupted, and it didn’t start this weekend. It started years ago. And if I wanted to, I could go back and get the transcripts from a few years ago on this program where I first sensed that this was happening and was going to happen. Of course, years ago I couldn’t predict this specific event, but my sadness actually began years ago when all of the attention focused on the danger and the supposed attempt to hide all of that, not specifically just the concussions. The whole aura that that created. The sports media began to criticize that which they report on. It just became politicized. It simply just became politicized. And the people politicizing it, since we’re talking about politics, the people that politicized it are people on the left. And when that happens, things change. It’s just over. |
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 43.
#6. To: Tooconservative, Justified (#0)
MAN QUITS NFL STADIUM JOB AFTER NATIONAL ANTHEM PROTESTS ORHCARD PARK, N.Y.Author: WCNC Staff
Published: 09/25/17ORHCARD PARK, N.Y. – Several Bills players knelt during the national anthem. Others locked arms.
[...]
Stadium worker Erich Nikischer quit his job at New Era Field after almost 30 years.
“I waited until the National Anthem ended, I took off my shirt, threw my Bills hat on the ground, walked out,” Nikischer said in a sit-down interview with Channel 2 at his West Seneca home.
Nikischer says he has no problem with players protesting before the National Anthem. It's when the kneeling continued into the song that strong feelings took over.
[...]
“I will never step foot in the that place again, I will never watch an NFL football game again until this ends,” Nikischer said.
#8. To: nolu chan (#6)
The anecdotes are interesting as are the burnings of the Steelers gear and other NFL gear.
But it's the YouTube era so everyone is getting their 15 minutes of fame and it can make these things look like a movement when they're only a tiny tiny sliver of the public.
#12. To: Tooconservative (#8)
But it's the YouTube era so everyone is getting their 15 minutes of fame and it can make these things look like a movement when they're only a tiny tiny sliver of the public.
Then again,
NFL Backlash: ‘Sunday Night Football’ Hit With Season-Low Ratingsby John Nolte
Breitbart
25 Sep 2017[excerpt]
You would think that this firestorm would have resulted in record ratings for Sunday Night Football, or at least a ratings boost. Unfortunately for the anti-American NFL, the exact opposite proved true with an 8 percent drop in viewership, compared to last week. This is a new season low. Compared to this time last year, the ratings decline was in the double-digits, a full 10 percent.
How big is a sliver that equals 10% of the NFL Sunday tv audience?
#14. To: nolu chan (#12)
How big is a sliver that equals 10% of the NFL Sunday tv audience?
Given the quality of the product, ~11 minutes of action in a 4-hour broadcast, you have to wonder how (or if) audience share can even be as high as they claim.
#16. To: Tooconservative (#14)
Given the quality of the product, ~11 minutes of action in a 4-hour broadcast, you have to wonder how (or if) audience share can even be as high as they claim.
Baseball might be the same, give or take. But at least there is a lot more than 15 or 20 games per team per year.
#17. To: Pinguinite, nolu chan (#16)
Baseball is very different from a statist sport like the NFL.
Baseball is supposed to be long and boring and kinda pointless.
The NFL is supposed to be an action game, a metaphor for America conquering its enemies, loosely defined as the entire planet followed the rest of the solar system. : )
Baseball has lots of little teams and minor leagues and such. Football is a state-imposed monopoly with lots of taxpayer support at the local/state/federal level.
nolu has written well about the real antitrust problems that the NFL has (or should have).
I took the time to write a post on a fundamental problem with the anthem itself over on this thread. You might glance at it. I think that is the next step in the SJW assault on the anthem. You'll see the parallels that will likely be drawn to Confederate flags and statues.
#18. To: Tooconservative, Pinguinite, nolu chan (#17)
NFL Teams Stayed in Locker Rooms For Anthem Until 2009—Then DoD Began ‘Paying for Patriotism’
What many people are missing in this debate is the fact that prior to 2009, NFL teams did not generally stand for the anthem. While having the option to do so individually if they chose to, most of the time they stayed in the locker room during this pregame ritual.
“NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed this morning the practice began in 2009, adding, ‘As you know, the NFL has a long tradition of patriotism. Players are encouraged but not required to stand for the anthem.’”
Additionally, it has come to light that many of the “patriotic” pregame displays in the NFL are simply propaganda displays that were paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Guard – meaning that these displays were actually paid for by the American taxpayers.
These displays of patriotic propaganda, called “paid patriotism,” were brought to light in April 2015, when Arizona Senator Jeff Flake released a statement condemning the practice.
Then in November 2015, Flake and fellow Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain issued a report stating that the U.S. Department of Defense had been paying the NFL for patriotic displays in football and other sports between 2011 and 2014:
Contrary to the public statements made by DOD and the NFL, the majority of the contracts — 72 of the 122 contracts we analyzed — clearly show that DOD paid for patriotic tributes at professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer games. These paid tributes included on-field color guard, enlistment and reenlistment ceremonies, performances of the national anthem, full-field flag details, ceremonial first pitchesU and puck drops.
The National Guard paid teams for the “opportunity” to sponsor military appreciation nights and to recognize its birthday. It paid the Buffalo Bills to sponsor its Salute to the Service game. DOD even paid teams for the “opportunity” to perform surprise welcome home promotions for troops returning from deployments and to recognize wounded warriors.
While well intentioned, we wonder just how many of these displays included a disclaimer that these events were in fact sponsored by the DOD at taxpayer expense. Even with that disclosure, it is hard to understand how a team accepting taxpayer funds to sponsor a military appreciation game, or to recognize wounded warriors or returning troops, can be construed as anything other than paid patriotism.
In total, the Department of Defense paid 14 NFL teams $5.4 million from 2011 to 2014 for patriotic propaganda during NFL games.
U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) called the spending wasteful spending that “leaves a bad taste in your mouth”:
#24. To: Deckard, ooconservative, Pinguinite (#18)
Additionally, it has come to light that many of the “patriotic” pregame displays in the NFL are simply propaganda displays that were paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Guard – meaning that these displays were actually paid for by the American taxpayers.
Wake up and smell the coffee. The taxpayers also support it. The NFL can take it away at its own peril.
Nothing you said changes the acceptable standard of behavior which the NFL should require if the players are on the field. Protests conducted in the current manner can only lead to a PR loss, big time. Yuge.
Kneeling or locking arms, is not going to get the PR job done. Having the team hide in the locker room will not do it either. Eliminating the flag or the playing of the anthem will not do it. It is a PR problem and grinning for the camera like a babboon won't help either.
Donald Trump has told the NFL what it must do. They will do it.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/36/301
36 U.S. Code § 301 - National anthem(a) Designation.—
The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing.—During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) when the flag is displayed—
(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
(Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1263; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, § 595, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4475.)
The National Anthem was adopted by law, 46 Stat. 1508, H.R. 14, Public Law 823 of 3 March 1931.
#25. To: nolu chan (#24)
(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
What if we suddenly decide that we're Jehovah's Witnesses?
: )
#26. To: All, nolu chan, redleghunter, A K A Stone, misterwhite, Pinguinite, everyone else I may have missed (#25) (Edited)
An update, since I just can't resist those.
Today Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers center, gave a statement to the press, taking questions. He insists there is no doubt that 100% of the Steelers will take the field for the anthem and they will all be standing.
It was on the Steelers Twitter page, @steelers, now on YouTube too.
I can't recall ever hearing so much love for the flag and devotion to the anthem in my entire life. : )
I dunno what the rest of the NFL will do but the Steelers have had a major wakeup call.
#27. To: Tooconservative (#26)
What what I saw somewhere, the Steelers were not supposed to be in hiding for the anthem. The lone Steeler who was present last week wasn't supposed to be alone. The rest of the team or perhaps most of the rest of the team was supposed to be there with him, but they didn't make it out of the tunnel before the anthem started.
Maybe a lame excuse. I dunno. I'm pretty much losing interest in the matter now. I expect the same is true for the masses.
#29. To: Pinguinite, Tooconservative (#27)
Maybe a lame excuse.
It is a PR problem, not aided by a lame excuse. The league can allow the players to sit, lie down, do stretching exercises, or take a nap, or hide in the tunnel. They could just do away with the playing of the national anthem. Pittsburgh's problem is that their fans were particularly insulted when the whole team, with team ownership and coach approval, hid in the tunnel from the national anthem.
The coach and team coming down on Villenueva really exacerbated their problem. They should have stuck with a dumb team and one hero. Now they have a united dumb, pitch deaf team.
The customers can always choose not to pay to be insulted. The lady selling Steelers merchandise had an empty store. When the customers are insulted enough, they can choose to avoid buying from the sponsors. To see Steelers fans burn their Terrible Towels and other swag is bound to get some attention. One Ravens fan burned season tickets. A lot of the pyros are military vets.
The teams and players cannot persuade vets that sitting or kneeling during the anthem is not disrespecting the country, the flag, and the anthem. Put as much lipstick as you choose on that pig, and it will be no sale. It is a PR problem. The league wants the customers to keep paying for their product. The customers are say very loudly that the current product sucks.
#31. To: nolu chan (#29)
I kind of wonder if they were more worried about Limbaugh and his microphone. He is known as a Steelers fan for decades, unswerving. The idea of Limbaugh taking shots at them from time to time, even in sadness, for years to come had to be giving their PR people nightmares. Hard to imagine a bigger or more influential member of Steeler Nation than Limbaugh.
#33. To: Tooconservative (#31)
I kind of wonder if they were more worried about Limbaugh and his microphone. He is known as a Steelers fan for decades, unswerving.
I knew he was a die-hard Steelers fan, but it didn't occur to me until you just pointed it out, how his show a few days ago may struck a nerve with management in Pittsburgh. I'll bet it struck the fans like the voice of the Steelers fans speaking to management. It was like breaking the decision to get a divorce.
#35. To: nolu chan, redleghunter (#33)
I knew he was a die-hard Steelers fan, but it didn't occur to me until you just pointed it out, how his show a few days ago may struck a nerve with management in Pittsburgh.
Limbaugh has a hardcore audience of maybe 8-12M, maybe that many more who are less loyal but still tune in. They're heavily concentrated in Red states, older, male, more patriotic than average.
And the biggest sector of NFL fans? Also heavily concentrated in Red states, older, male, more patriotic than average.
You don't have to reach all of the hardcore NFL fans to ruin the NFL. It is popular culture and an intersection of social connections. Take 5 guys at any function (watercooler at work, a cafe or rural co-op, senior center, church event, family gathering, etc.). All of a sudden one of them doesn't want to watch or to talk about NFL football at all and pours scorn on those America-hating millionaire playas and their owners. What if it is 2 guys out of that group of 5?
The NFL is not just another TV show. It's a cultural fixture, a social nexus. That's how it derives its huge TV ratings and huge income.
Naturally, people in military families have their NFL habit pitted against these playas who want to disrespect the flag. That cannot lead to happy conversations and positive interactions about football.
I wonder how the military is feeling about the NFL. I've seen a few flaming libs on Twitter claiming "I'm proud that I fought in Iraq for the right of these NFL players to disrespect our flag" and other stupid-sounding blarney (a few posted pictures of themselves in uniform, chubby women in support roles mostly). I really have to wonder if that can be more than a handful of military who really think that. I'm sure that libmedia is scouring social networks, trying to find these kinds of people so they can "prove" that the military really is supporting the NFL SJWs while carefully avoiding showing any military who hate seeing anybody take a knee for the anthem. The military will be a mixed bag of reactions, I think. The libs who don't like Trump will be for the SJWs and kneeling. The ones who support Trump will probably hate seeing the NFL doing this. Another large group will not get all that excited about it either way. The military used to love the NFL. You have to wonder whether anyone is talking NFL football on the military bases nowadays. I'd think it would make the topic kind of radioactive but that's just a guess. I would guess that suddenly all football talk is college teams because that is "safe".
#40. To: Tooconservative (#35)
The military will be a mixed bag of reactions, I think.
I should think that the military (including vets) will be about 90+% negative. The Marines would approach 100% negative.
If the NFL gets in the for 'em or against 'em territory, no sponsor wants to touch it. A sponsor does not want to pay big bucks for ads that cause a significant net loss of sales. Budweiser will not want to spend hundreds of millions to produce more Miller Lite drinkers.
The NFL especially does not want politicians who can gain or retain office by campaigning for an end to NFL subsidies, trust exemption, or tax free bonds.
If they lose 20% of their audience long term, that can translate to losing billions of dollars.
#43. To: nolu chan (#40)
If the NFL gets in the for 'em or against 'em territory, no sponsor wants to touch it.
One regional sponsor is pulling all his ads. Budweiser is nervous and not too happy but not jumping ship yet. Some player endorsement ad deals are falling through, most prominently one for a black playa for the Broncos losing his deal with one of Denver's biggest and best known car dealership networks. A few VFWs are cancelling the showing of any NFL games, one VFW in Maryland is inviting people to drop off any NFL gear to burn this Sunday and it is being promoted on local radio. The national Legion and VFW orgs have been very harsh in their statements.
One more:
Bloomberg: JPMorgan Suggests Bet Against CBS Amid NFL Anthem Controversy
"JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Shawn Quigg is encouraging investors to bet against CBS Corp. stock ahead of this weekend’s NFL broadcasts."
Ouch. You don't see that often. So the pressure is building slowly.
Replies to Comment # 43.
#48. To: Tooconservative (#43)
one for a black playa for the Broncos losing his deal with one of Denver's biggest and best known car dealership networks
The black playa is Von Miller, the Superbowl MVP.
#51. To: Tooconservative (#43)
So the pressure is building slowly.
Here is more pressure from the NBA getting out ahead of it.
Adam Silver says players know respecting the flag is importantIan Begley
ESPN Staff Writer
28 Sep 2017 8:55 pmCommissioner Adam Silver said he expected NBA players to continue standing for the national anthem.
"It's my hope that our players will continue to use that as a moment of unity," Silver said Thursday after the league's board of governors meeting in Manhattan. "... Many of our players have spoken out already about their plan to stand for the anthem. And I think they understand how divisive an issue it is in our society right now."
Silver said the playing of the national anthem has always been a time for respect and reflection -- even in a league where 25 percent of the players are not American -- and recalled that many teams locked arms last season.
He wants them to continue showing unity during the anthem -- but to do it while standing, thereby adhering to league guidelines. The NBA has a rule stating that players, coaches and trainers must "stand and line up in a dignified posture" during the anthem.
"It's been a rule as long as I've been involved with the league, and my expectation is that our players will continue to stand for the anthem," he said.
Silver didn't say what would happen if any players refuse to stand, adding: "If that were to happen, we'll deal with it when it happens."
[snip]
End Trace Mode for Comment # 43.
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