There’s a nasty spat between the NFL and America. Pro football has 99 problems. And one of those problems is as real, ugly and bright orange as the trashed, disfigured Von Miller jersey sent to me in the mail.
An angry Broncos fan took a Sharpie and slashed a thick black line through Miller’s name, then scrawled graffiti on every available inch of the No. 58 with words of protest: “Stand for the flag!” and “Blue lives matter” and “Support veterans.” The unwanted uniform was stuffed in a box, accompanied by a short note of farewell that declared, “Done with the NFL.”
The rift from the national anthem protests inspired by Colin Kaepernick refuses to heal, with everybody from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to pizza mogul Papa John jumping in the fray.
The debate has promoted far more shouting than listening.
Isn’t it about time we sat down and talked? Maybe we could even do it during an NFL game.
Veterans Day is Saturday. When the Broncos dash out of the stadium tunnel Sunday night to play New England, members of the Colorado National Guard that will run alongside players onto the field will include the brother-in-law of defensive end Derek Wolfe.
From the beginning of the NFL season, and especially since more than 30 Broncos took a knee as the “Star-Spangled Banner” played prior to a game at Buffalo in September, I have heard from patriotic fans offended by the anthem protests, as well as veterans that say they served to protect freedom speech for us all. On both sides of the debate, the emotions are always heart-felt and often heated.
“Loving this country and respecting this flag isn’t political, it is called patriotism, and if you don’t know the difference, I can send you a dictionary,” wrote Bev Haberman. “What do you expect from a bunch of men … almost all have never worn a uniform that didn’t come with a multimillion-dollar check? How many of those losers would leave an NFL team to serve this country?”
I’m listening.
Mike Allen, an infantry squad leader in Vietnam, made this point: “I do not agree with Kaepernick’s choice of how to express his opinion. I think it is disrespectful of those who have fought, died and bled to guarantee his right to do so. I will, however, defend Kaepernick’s right to do what he did. Americans must understand that if we deny the rights of someone to freely express their opinion, without fear of reprisal, then we are empowering a culture of denial, the denial of freedom of speech that has the potential to damage all.”
I’m listening.
Earlier this season, when a Broncos fan informed me that he could not in good conscience attend games because of the anthem protests, I listened. And I purchased two tickets from him to the Nov. 19 home date against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The NFL has 99 problems; the rift over the anthem is only one. The league has turned its back on loyal football communities in St. Louis, San Diego and Oakland, while moving the Chargers to a city that clearly doesn’t want them. In their infinite greed, franchise owners welcomed prime-time games on Sunday, Monday and Thursday nights, yet are shocked when there aren’t enough compelling match-ups to go around. Fantasy football has created a new fan base far more interested in the showdown between the Flacco Earth Truthers and the Summer Brees than a match-up between the ho-hum New York Jets and disappointing Tampa Bay Bucs. And on the topic of the chronic brain damage from a violent sport, where do we even start to sort out the mess?
But, for all those NFL problems, here’s hoping there is at least one military veteran that would like to attend the Denver-Cincy game with me. The seats are in the lower bowl of the stadium. Near the end zone, which we can only hope the Broncos’ offense will actually be able to find. If you’re interested, send an email to mkiszla@denverpost.com that briefly summarizes your military background, your thoughts on the anthem protests and what makes you a die-hard football fan.
I’m all ears.
Let’s let football bring us together, not tear us apart.