Get ready for an NFL season filled with distractions in the name of social justice…maybe there will be some football on the side. Baker Mayfield further indicated that’s what we can expect this week when he doubled down on his previous promise to kneel during the national anthem for the upcoming season, assuming it happens.
“No I don’t have any regrets,” the Cleveland Browns quarterback said during a press conference this week.
“I think you know, being in my position, which is a blessing, being you know, out on a platform where I can speak on issues that are just wrong. You know, right is right and wrong is wrong.”
He then insisted, as many athletes do, that it has nothing to do with disrespecting military service members and their sacrifices.
“It’s a human rights issue. It’s been going on for a long time and I believe in that. It’s nothing against the military, anyone who served. Anybody that knows my history knows I completely support the military and people that serve our country for the right reasons and do it for justice.”
He continued: “the people that don’t know that, that’s OK. Take your time. Just take a second to get to know me. You know, it’s a human rights issue.”
The question was asked due to the frustration fans have shared over his decision.
You can see the video of the exchange below:
The problem with Mayfield’s comments though is the kneeling movement (started by Colin Kaepernick) is based partly upon lies and DOES offend patriots and Veterans alike—whether it’s his intended purpose or not. As the old adage goes: Two wrongs don’t make a right, and in 2020 we need less reasons to divide people, not more.
Still, the idea has gained so much momentum that people either believe the lies, because of a “surely if this many people think it’s true, than it must be” concept, or because they think their personal brand will take a massive hit if they don’t cave to the mob.
But as a reminder, Kaepernick and Eric Reid kneeled over racial inequality and police brutality.
The former is surely an issue that needs to be addressed and is most prominent in urban Democrat strongholds. Certainly there is work to be done in those communities, but Democrats have purposefully kept them down while promising to have their back.
Look at where it’s occurring, in most cases, and then see what these elected leaders have done for you. The answer is nothing, other than make bold promises every time an election comes around only to fail you once they step into (or remain in) office. There have been no results and yet the populous in these mostly Democrat-run cities keep voting in people that just perpetuate the problems.
The latter issue of police brutality and violence from officers toward the black community is where much emphasis was placed during Kaepernick’s original charade and is a huge discussion in 2020 following George Floyd’s death.
The problem with the narrative though, when Kaepernick first kneeled and in present day, is that it’s categorically false and proven with data from all major law enforcement entities to be a lie.
Police shootings have resulted in roughly double the number of white people over black individuals on a recurring basis over the last several years. And while the black community makes up only 13% of the American populous, FBI reports indicate that over 50% of homicides and robberies are committed by black Americans. That’s not stated to place blame on any one or race, but rather to prove that just because someone says (or millions are saying) something is happening doesn’t mean it actually is.
So while there are bad cops out there, just like there are bad apples in your locker room or board room, the data doesn’t support this ludicrous notion that our selfless men and women in blue are targeting black Americans and killing them.
Bottom line: injustices occur in a variety of ways on a daily basis in America, and that needs to be fixed. But much of the reasoning behind kneeling for the anthem and the line of thought Baker Mayfield and his fellow kneelers are taking is predicated on lies, and their actions not only further divide the country during perhaps the most tense time in history but they also rob us of politics-free sports. Those days of retreating from the world and turning to sports and entertainment are sadly long gone.
This piece was written by Drew Berquist on August 15, 2020. It originally appeared in DrewBerquist.com and is used by permission.
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.