Commentary
NFL's TV Anthem: Kneeling Players Out Of Camera Range, Standing Room Only
- by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, May 29, 2018
Well, then. Is deportation next? And even more importantly, isn’t Trump -- our TV-minded president -- thinking about the obvious: How is this going to affect TV networks?
Trump was responding to the NFL league mandate that players need to stand during the national anthem. If they want to kneel -- or perhaps lie down, roll on the ground -- that can only be done in the locker room, out of range of TV video cameras.
Trump seemingly has a plan. But what about the NBA? And Major League Baseball? Or the people in the stands who just sit and drink beer? Should they also be thrown out?
What about viewers at home -- should they stand as well?
And what about those shopping in Macy’s? Buying a coffee in Starbucks? Or perhaps doing an upfront TV deal? Anyone within earshot of the national anthem: Stop whatever you are doing. If you're in traffic and listening to the game, get out and stand.
Should all workers stand before starting their day at work while someone plays the national anthem on their mobile phone? There should be a law.
Traditions are all well and good. Respect being earned and honored. But an individual chooses. If you interact with a soldier or solid community-minded law enforcement officials, thank them personally.
Long before kneeling protests raced across the NFL, there was some concern about professional athletes who took to “swaying” (while standing) when it came to the playing of the national anthem. That was also deemed disrespectful when shown on TV, preliminary to game coverage.
Remember the U.S. national anthem had its origins in an 18th-century drinking song in British pubs. So that next time you hear the national anthem -- stand if you like and perhaps toast those who deserve it.
But that may not be enough. Trump added this suggestion: “You have to stand proudly for the national anthem.” No slouching. As the President knows, TV cameras don’t lie.
Wayne Friedman is West Coast Editor of MediaPost. You can reach Wayne at wayne@mediapost.com.
Wayne you are so right times have changed. Remember when people actually wore suits, what a joke! Cared about the quality of the job they did, what a joke. Gave more than they received, what a joke. Cared about what bosses thought, what a joke! Were quiet in a movie theater, or really watched advertising in any media, even a bigger joke
Playing a game for a living is not a right it is a privilege. If the owners want to make them wear skirts they should be allowed to. There are plenty of people that want to make tens of thousands of dollars each week playing a game they played for free as kids. The owners dictate what is worn, how it is worn and how they act when in the office working (on the field) If the players do not like, they can find another job that pays that well. The golden rule is in play here; those with the gold rule! Many things have changed in this country but that rule has not and should not. If players and people do not like it then try another country, no matter where they go the same rules apply, it is just they do not allow people to speak about it openly as we are on camera or not.
Would that not be abridging freedom of speech?
'cause just any kid can play pro ball.