NFL Rejected a 'Please Stand' Ad, Veterans Group Says

[DonViejo]

Source: Newsweek Magazine

BY MARIA PEREZ ON 1/23/18 AT 12:04 PM

A veterans group is criticizing the National Football League for refusing to allow its advertisement encouraging players and fans to stand during the national anthem to air as part of the Super Bowl broadcast.

AMVets National Commander Marion Polk tweeted that the group will “not tolerate” the NFL’s censorship. The TV ad shows three service members holding an American flag and the hashtag #PleaseStand.

Link to tweet

In an open letter to the NFL and Commissioner Robert Goodell, Polk accused the league of using veterans as “props” during its games.

“Mr. Goodell, veterans are good for more than just military flyovers, photo opportunities during halftime, or props to sell camouflage-style NFL apparel," Polk wrote.

Read more: http://www.newsweek.com/nfl-rejected-pleasestand-ad-super-bowl-veterans-group-788198

[Abouttime]

1. Good for the NFL

This entire ‘stand for the anthem’ is nothing more than dog whistle rascism by the right wingers.
The American public and most NFL fans are fed up with the radical right and trump making a political football out of the players constitutionally protected right to protest.

[stonecutter357]

2. good !

[cvoogt]

3. the NFL and AMvets both have freedom of speech

And the NFL has no obligation to let AMvets air their ad. The ad sounds fine to me, but I am glad the NFL is taking a deeper look at the issue and why players were protesting, rather than adding more fuel to the kneejerk "they're disrespecting the flag!" nonsense. I also don't get why flags even have to be a thing at sporting events. They're sporting events, not Veteran's Day parades.. I feel it cheapens the symbolism if it's everywhere all the time.

[AtheistCrusader]

16. In fairness the NFL caused this when they accepted DoD funding for advertising dollars.

That politicized the issue right there.

That said, it's curious that these veterans so profoundly misunderstand the nature of 'free speech'.

[withoutapaddle]

21. I was told by my veteran family member recently

that even though they did not like the kneeling during the anthem, that they served and fought so that people would have the right to make such protest.

[MountCleaners]

27. My parents were very patriotic

They taught me all about American history and government, and we traveled up and down the east coast visiting government and history sites. My father served his country. I thought I was getting a normal American education when I learned that too much showy patriotism is crass and cheapens real dedication to your country.

I'm pretty left-wing, but I care very much about this country. I hate being told that I disrespect my country because I support the kneelers and don't exaggerate the importance of the flag. I'm so sick of this flag crap. When I was a kid, I remember people thinking it was silly to put flags all over everything and make a big fuss about it. Am I crazy and am I just hopelessly reserved and "northeastern" in my values? Whatever happened to sober reason as an "American" value? I never learned any of this flag crap from my veteran relatives.

I understand having the national anthem. As left-wing as I am, it brings a seriousness to an event where very often people in the crowd behave immaturely. It reminds people of our priorities as citizens. Part of that is cherishing people's freedom of expression.

Funny how anti-government these flag nuts are, like the III percenters. Apparently that doesn't conflict with their overly emotional "patriotism".

[SoCalNative]

4. They need to get over it

eom

[Freethinker65]

5. Compromise. Play the ad, but not at the beginning, between two amusing beer ads.

Last edited Tue Jan 23, 2018, 02:49 PM - Edit history (1)

**** Oops. See post 9) evidently this is only a print ad submitted for the NFL program. In that case, I support the NFLs decision.

It is in the NFLs best interest to be politically agenda free for the sake of all ticket holders enjoyment and safety.

[PJMcK]

11. In the 4th quarter (n/t)

[LanternWaste]

6. Goodell knows feigned indignation against the protests isn't good for ratings.

Goodell knows feigned indignation against the protests isn't good for ratings. He may not be a man of character, but he does like to stroke his profit margins.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. I thought the networks sold advertising, not the NFL. What gives? NT

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. "Veterans are good for more than just military flyovers, photo opportunities during halftime,

to sell camouflage-style NFL apparel."

Yeah, they're good for the money the military pays to sports leagues to get all that garbage in front of people.

[ExciteBike66]

9. Just a clarification: This is a print ad for the game program, not a TV ad. nt

[Freethinker65]

12. Ahhhh. Thanks. In that case, amazingly, I agree with the NFL

[procon]

10. Why does this group think they can make a private business submit to their demands?

This smells like a setup for political purposes. The NFL has made a hand off policy toward the players views. This isn't news. AMVets is either willingly, or blindly, being used by Republicans to bolster Trump's fight with black players.

[NewJeffCT]

13. good for the NFL - it's usually more liberal ads

that they block

[Dawson Leery]

14. ...and they wonder why the young are not joining these backward organizations.

You cannot compel a private enterprise to speak.

This Fascist organization has no concept of the Constitution they claim to love.

[Aristus]

15. I'm not going to stand just because some pissy-faced American Legion stooge

orders me to.

I'm a veteran too, Lemon Lips.

Nobody stands if they don't want to...

[vkkv]

17. Some veterans are extremely confused about what they are fighting for...

The flag? A fucking piece of cloth? Really?

One would think that vets would spend a little more time fighting for TRUTH and screaming about all of the lies coming from the POTUS.

[RandomAccess]

18. NOT A FREE SPEECH ISSUE

Just in case anyone here has any doubts about it -- the 1st Amendment ONLY guarantee against GOVERNMENT censorship.

[LanternWaste]

22. No one is arguing otherwise...

No one is arguing otherwise...

[RandomAccess]

23. Oh yes, the Veterans group is

.@AMVETSHQ will NOT tolerate the @NFL refusing #Veteran right to free speech. We fought for it!

[LisaM]

19. Good, and while they're at it, end the flyovers.

Those are nothing more than a military ad, and I really don't like them being used as such at major sporting events.

[Owl]

20. Good!

[berni_mccoy]

24. To Nationalist Nut Jobs: PLEASE STOP! PLEASE, FOR FUCKS SAKE, STOP!

[Zen Democrat]

25. It's getting bound up with military right-wing nationalism -- and GOD.

I remember asking, decades ago, why there was a prayer before high school football games and was told it was to pray for the safety of the players. My first thought was, if safety is the concern just don't play football! There are broken bones and torn ligaments across this nation, so was God not listening?

The old codgers who demand respect for the flag have forgotten America's core principles - the Bill of Rights. Our veterans didn't fight and die so people would be forced to stand for the flag and sing the national anthem. America didn't have a national anthem until the 1930's (I think Herbert Hoover signed it into law). This is a bunch of hooey. I love to sing the national anthem, but just don'g tell me I have to or I won't.

[C_U_L8R]

26. It's a football game for crying out loud

If you wanna run around in uniforms waving flags, you've got you VFW Hall. Please stop forcing your phony patriotic display on all of us. Geez.