There's an Update on Security for Biden's Gaza Port and a New 'Peacekeeping...
Biden Blows Off Respects for Murdered New York City Police Officer
New York City Councilwoman Gets Ratioed Into Oblivion Over One Question
CNBC: Voters Want Trump to Combat Runaway Inflation
‘No Tampons, No Peace!’: Panic at Vanderbilt University Sit-In As Protestors Realize It...
Comer Urges Joe Biden to Testify As Part of Impeachment Inquiry
A Massive Government Assisted Caravan Is Heading Through Mexico
Americans React to Biden Skipping Out on Slain NYPD Officer's Wake and Instead...
How Does RFK Jr. Affect This Presidential Race?
Judge In Hunter Biden's Tax Fraud Case Doesn't Buy Attorney's Claims
New Poll Shows How Hispanic Voters Feel About Biden Describing Laken Riley's Alleged...
Who Will Replace Mike Gallagher? Poll Shows It's Pro-Trump Alex Bruesewitz’s 'Race to...
Flashback: Two Cycles After Running on Gore's Ticket, Lieberman Endorses McCain at GOP...
Here's When Impeachment Articles Against Mayorkas Will Be Presented to the Senate
Tennessee Music Venue to Host ‘Trans Day Of Vengeance’ Event One Year After...
Tipsheet

Here's What Mike Rowe Thinks About the NFL's National Anthem Protests

Mike Rowe, the host of the Facebook series “Returning the Favor,” is known for his common sense take on pretty much every subject, and while he tends to avoid politics, he did weigh in on the current debate over NFL players kneeling during the national anthem.

Advertisement

Responding to a question about “what’s happening to professional football” and his opinion on President Trump’s comments about players refusing to stand for the national anthem, Rowe took aim at pretty much everyone involved in the issue.

“In democracies, we the people get the government we deserve,” Rowe said on Facebook. “We also get the celebrities we deserve, the artists we deserve, and the athletes we deserve. Because ultimately, we the people get to decide who and what gets our attention, and who and what does not.”

He continued: “The NFL, the players who choose to kneel, the networks who choose to broadcast their protest, the advertisers who sponsor the games, and the President of the United States, are all eager for our attention. And they are all using football to get it. That’s all well and good, right up to the point where it isn’t. In my view, this controversy really isn’t about patriotism, social justice, racial inequality, or free speech. It’s not even about the flag or the national anthem. It’s really only about one thing – what we will tolerate, and what we won’t.”

Rowe said he was “disappointed” in Trump’s comments on the issue, especially those that encouraged owners to fire players who do not stand.

“Not because I dispute the owners right to do so, and not because I would grieve the dismissal of anyone who chooses to disrespect our flag,” Rowe wrote. “I was disappointed because the President’s comments presuppose that the owners are in charge of the game. They’re not. We are. We decide what to watch, and that decision – far more than any other consideration – will determine the what the owners choose to do. And that in turn will affect what the players choose to do.”

Advertisement

The former “Dirty Jobs” host said Trump had the opportunity to remind Americans that everyone involved in the issue from the players to the networks works for the American people—as does he.

Then Rowe took aim at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL Player’s Association, saying that while their responses were “understandable” they were also “arrogant” because they assumed millions of fans will continue to watch them no matter what happens.

At the end of his post Rowe reminds people that the outcome is in the hands of the fans.

“The fans of professional football are not powerless – we’re just not yet offended enough to turn the channel. Should that ever change in a meaningful way – if for instance, a percentage of football fans relative to those players who chose to kneel during today’s games, chose to watch something else next Sunday – I can assure you…the matter would be resolved by Monday.”

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement