clay-travis-college-football-fans-have-declared-independence-from-covid-fear

[breitbart.com]

Wonder who'll be the first NFL player to identify as a woman to rack up media and career points. Cam Newton could become a hero of the social justice movement by identifying as Camala Newton!

I have been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan for life. Yes, it is a cult you're born into, thank you for asking.

Yet, even though I continue to bleed black and gold, I have not watched a football game in at least three years. I read about the players and the team on independent sports blogs, but I will not watch any game or any advertising associated with the NFL. No, I haven't burned my Steelers stuff; they already have the money for that and frankly, I'm not pissed off at the team, but the league.

And I'll tell you why: Alejandro Villanueva.

See, I don't give a ripe damn if you kneel or not. I think it's in bad taste, I think it sends the wrong message, but last I checked, my approval is not required for you to do something I don't like, so knock yourself out.

But apparently, that courtesy does not extend to people who still wish to honor the flag and everything positive it stands for. (BTW, honoring the flag does not mean one is ignoring the negatives of what that country has done; it's simply honoring the fact that in spite of our missteps we still have principles that are noble and admirable.) That is what Villanueva got widely publicly criticized for, coming out of the locker room for the National Anthem, hand over his heart. Given that he was a former Army Ranger, you'd think people would understand and would accept, but no, no, he went against the progressive narrative, so we need to condemn him. You know, because they're so "tolerant."

Apparently it's brave and stunning when a single person kneels, but it's tone-deaf and racist to actually stand for the flag.

So now, the league is bending over backwards to cater to those who want to tear this country down, those who see the country as racist an irredeemable. And I will not stomach that. I'm missing the end of Ben Roethlisberger's career; what is likely the prime of TJ Watt, Devin Bush, and Minkah Fitzpatrick's careers, and the hopeful launch of Najee Harris's Hall of Fame career. But I just won't do it.

And apparently, a lot of other people won't other. I've read about how ratings continue to trend down, but that didn't stop the NFL from doubling down. Oh, you can't personalize your uniform, wear tape on your socks, or wear custom cleats for charity, but gosh-darn it, you can put pre-approved social justice messages on your helmet. Fuck you, NFL.

This essay perfectly articulates my own feelings about Football in particular and about major league sports in general.