[Granny Bear]

I hate getting into this but have to. If that kid never took a knee, we would never be having this discussion so it worked, I'm a black man and would never take a knee during the anthem but I understand. I was born in the 50's if anyone should take a knee is my generation or older - couldn't drink, go to restroom, restaurants, moving theatres, etc, but I'm supposed to stand up and proudly salute that flag? I do because that's how I was raised, but if anyone should take a knee are people my age or older. There wasn't a black player in the SEC until 1968 I think, that's not that long ago. So everyone should stand up and salute? Someone said something about character, I think it says more about a persons character who tries to understand what's going on than just to look at it as being disrespectful, that flag doesn't mean the same to everyone. I was always hesitate to join this site, because its Eastern Kentucky based, and I bet there are schools represented on here that have only have 1 or 2 people of color on their teams if ANY, so most peoples views on this site are going to be different. I love football that's why I joined, but more and more people's true colors are coming out. I'm trying to get a discussion about Ohio can go full contact starting June 22, anyone else find that alarming, strange?

Nate Northington, September 1967. And guess where he played; Lexington, KY. I think that's pretty cool!

No, everybody should not salute but they should stand out of respect. More than 200,000 men, including many black men, died in the Civil War, the result of which included the end of slavery in this country.

Nobody that I know will dispute that racism has always been an issue in this country and for many, including Americans of all colors, racism will continue to always be an issue. However, the fact is that thousands of Americans, including a disproportionate number of black men, have died fighting for this country in every American war since the Civil War.

Millions have supported the fight for civil rights over the decades and many of those people have been white. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 would not have passed without the support of white Republicans, as a large majority of Republicans in Congress voted for its passage and a large majority of Democrats voted against the bill.

When I stand for the national anthem, I am not saluting a perfect country, but I am showing my respect and appreciation for the sacrifices that our ancestors made over the years to make this country one that is a favorite destination of immigrants from all over the world.

I work on an Army base and occasionally attend retirement and promotion ceremonies. If I took a knee instead of standing at the times I was expected to stand, I would be escorted to the door by security guards and my employer would be asked to fill my position with somebody with more respect for the Army and their country. The expectation that professional athletes stand during the national anthem is not a double standard. I find it alarming that so many Americans are willing to excuse such disrespectful behavior.

I am looking forward to high school football and I sincerely hope that taking a knee does not spread to that level. Legally, I doubt that much can be done to prevent it from happening at the high school level because public schools are government entities and prohibiting players from making political statements before games would probably be struck down by courts as violations of the First Amendment.

I will try to restrict further expressions of my political opinions to the Politics forum. Hopefully, nobody else will claim that taking a knee during pregame ceremonies has nothing to do with the flag because nothing could be further from the truth.

Very very well said.

MLK said rioting is the voice of the unheard. And I would say the people protesting for change come across a lot different than those that show up to cause destruction. That’s come straight from the mouth of a trooper I know. Kneeling during the anthem has talks at an all time high. If kneeling isn’t the answer then what is the answer?

Also, I appreciate the level headed conversation.

Aug 25, 2013 - I think that we've got to see that a riot is the language of the unheard. ... I'm going to stand up as a lone voice and say, "This is the wrong way!".

MLK was an activist before his time with great insight and understanding of racial inequality. He lived it.

Gulf war veteran X2, served with several, several black men who where and are the epitome of a patriot and they’ll be my brothers till I draw my last breath. I’m also in law enforcement where I have also had the pleasure of serving with black men who where professional, moral, dignified men who I’d do anything I could to help at anytime. I’ve heard and seen all of this social injustice issues long before Kapernick took a knee. A lot of people of color not just black people would be surprised at how many of us in law enforcement would stand and march with them for most everything they’re complaining about, but what’s been going on isn’t the answer. Don’t tell me it’s not about the flag, it’s easily the most recognizable symbol of what I’ve spent most of my lifetime defending and I’ve asked nothing in return, nothing but to stand and honor it every single time you see it and if you can’t do that then I really don’t care what you have to say. If it’s not about the flag quit making it about the flag and expectIng us to listen cause it’s literally just pissing everyone off.

Thank you for your service.
A local restaurant owner's daughter organized a peaceful demonstration in Harlan County. Several police officers stood with those folks, and some even brought water to them. I was a teenager in the 60s, and have participated in demonstrations and am all about freedom of expression. However, when that is flipped into riots and destruction of property I really must question it. More than being upset over social injustice, it just seems to me that extremists are USING a tragedy to further promote their personal agenda. That makes me sick. Using the tragic murder of George Floyd as a reason to burn down a local business only distracts and dilutes the issues that need to be highlighted.