Explain something to me....

Okay I need to have someone explain something to me because I don't get it...

There are people who believe that Colin Kaepernick isn't being hired because of his actions with the national anthem.  His lawyers are going as far as to say that there is collusion between owners, general managers and the NFL to make sure Colin didn't hired.  They are even trying to get text electronic messages containing certain phrases per a report by Jason La Confora.   They supposedly exchanged over a hundred thousand documents recently.  They are even looking to see if President Trump helped not get Colin a job!

1.  There is no law that says Colin, Tom Brady, Greg Hardy or anyone else should have a job in the NFL.

2.  Colin had an average completion percentage of 59.8 per ESPN, so lets round that up to 60%.  That makes him the 25th best QB in 2016 roughly.  25th best.  If I don't round it up in 2016 he was the 26th best QB.  If he had played in 2017 and stayed at that he would have been the 27th best QB by that rate.  He would be above Mitch Trubisky, Cam Newton, Trevor Siemian, Jacoby Brissett, CJ Beathard and DeShone Kizer.  Only Cam Newton was on an above 500 team and that is because he runs as much as he passes.  

3.  Lets say a team like the Browns or the Bears did see Colin as an upgrade why would they pick him up with all the baggage that he brings to the team?  Ignoring if you agree or disagree with what he did (you can go back and see I've changed my mind back and forth myself) you are dealing with a PR nightmare at this point for a bottom quarter QB.  You are going to isolate a portion of your fans..perhaps more than a portion; could be a majority...for a slight statistical upgrade?  How does that make sense?

4.  I don't believe the owners of the NFL teams could agree on how to spell cat if you spotted them the C and the T.  They are constantly fighting over things but they are ALL going to agree to not hire a guy?  They couldn't agree on how to handle the kneeling during the National Anthem but they are all going to agree not to hire the first one?  

Overall I hate to see this happen to a person.  Colin did what he thought was right, even if you or I don't agree with it.  However he has to live with the consequences of his actions.  

And if you really want to know I don't like what he did.  I don't think not standing for the National Anthem got what he was trying to get across.  I agree with equality and that we are not doing enough to help the inner city youth (be it black, white, yellow, green or whatever color their skin is).  I don't believe we are doing enough to help the youth of America in general.  I believe that there is a race issue in this country...however I think it is exacerbated by the media and the actions of some people...but sometimes that is what is needed to get an eventual favorable solution.  However I don't agree with not standing for the National Anthem.  I feel it is disrespecting to our veterans, but that is my own opinion.  I however believe that he has the right to do what he did.

I guess what I don't understand is how is it wrong if the NFL did say we don't want this person playing the game.  If I was a player and used drugs they kick me out why not if I do something that has an negative impact on their business which some could argue this did?  I don't know the answer to this I just struggle to see that a team HAS to hire a person they don't want.  

To Stand or not to Stand...that is the question

Friday during a preseason game San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem, and says he'll continue to not stand.  ""I'll continue to sit. ... I'm going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me, this is something that has to change, and when there's significant change — and I feel like that flag represents what it's supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way it's supposed to — I'll stand."

I mentioned this on my facebook page but thought I should expand on my thoughts and strangely people seem to be interested in my opinions for some reason.

Colin has every right to do this and I respect him to a certain extent.  He believes that black men and women are being singled out, and often killed, and this is his way of bring attention to it.  I can't argue with the idea as it sure seems that being a black man in the United States of America has become a problem.

However, in my opinion, this is not going to shine anything on the "Black Lives Matter" group.  This is just going to single one man out and make him look bad, and that is Colin.

In my opinion what Colin is doing is disrespected the men and women who risk, and often give, their lives for this country.  I don't agree with everything this country does but when the National Anthem plays I get to my feet and I take off my hat and I face the flag.

If Colin wanted to wear one of these shirts like the WNBA players did I understand that, but look at the picture in the new article above, they are STANDING during the National Anthem.  (They don't all have their hands on their hearts...but that is a different debate).

I've seen a few people compare what Colin is doing to Muhammad Ali but I disagree with this as well.  Ali was protesting a war by not going to war.

Again I understand what Colin is doing and saying but what does this accomplish?  What is the end game?  This kind of protest reminds me of the Occupy Wallstreet movement.  What is the end game? Are people suddenly going to realize killing people is wrong because Colin didn't stand up during the National Anthem?

If he wanted to make a statement he could do several things.  He could walk away from the NFL and work with the underprivileged youth.  He could donate money into a college fund and challenge other people to do the same.  He could do a lot of productive things to do this.  Hell he could say he isn't playing in the games until things change but this is disrespectful to the wrong people.

I know he says it isn't but that is how it is viewed and perception is often more important than the message.  ""I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country," said Kaepernick. "I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening.

"People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody. That’s something that’s not happening.

"I’ve seen circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they fought have for, and have been murdered by the country they fought for, on our land. That’s not right."

Look at that last statement.  I would be a LOT more supportive if he was standing up for that, but not for what he initially said.

Overall I think Colin, like a lot of us in this country, are frustrated by what we're seeing.  We are tired of the violence and the hate.  He is doing something which most of us aren't, so again let me say that I respect him for that.  However when push comes to shove I believe that what he is doing is wrong and there are better approaches, especially for someone with his means and public stature.