In a move that clearly shows where the NFL’s allegiance lies, a veterans group reported that the League refused to run an ad that encouraged standing for the National Anthem.
The league has seen ratings consistently drop over the last two seasons while players – led by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick – have disrespected the military, veterans, police officer, and America itself, in kneeling during the pre-game Anthem.
When the veterans group AMVETS requested ad time at $30,000, the NFL said “no,” citing the ‘politics’ involved in a commercial that features the hashtag “#PleaseStand” alongside a picture of service members saluting the American flag.
The League essentially said ‘we kneel with our athletes, we do not stand with our veterans.’ Shame on the NFL!
.@AMVETSHQ will NOT tolerate the @NFL refusing #Veteran right to free speech. We fought for it! #PleaseStand #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/NARbC5zKuE
— Marion Polk (@AMVETSNatlCmdr) January 22, 2018
A statement from NFL Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy makes no attempt to hide the fact that they view standing for the National Anthem as a political statement.
McCarthy said the Super Bowl game program “is designed for fans to commemorate and celebrate the game, players, teams and the Super Bowl.”
“It’s never been a place for advertising that could be considered by some as a political statement,” he added, completely missing the irony that players already kneeling is, in actuality, the political statement.
National veterans group @AMVETSHQ says the NFL said no to its advertisement for the official Super Bowl LII programs. The rejected ad depicts a flag, saluting soldiers and the message #PleaseStand https://t.co/UPMosZ9h6i
— Nikki Wentling (@nikkiwentling) January 22, 2018
AMVETS National Commander Marion Polk said this is a clear double standard, noting that it’s veterans who fought for the players right to protest in the first place. The NFL, by contrast, is not granting them that well-earned right.
“Freedom of speech works both ways,” Polk told the Army Times. “We respect the rights of those who choose to protest, as these rights are precisely what our members have fought — and in many cases died — for.”
The same ad has reportedly been accepted by Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League during their all-star games.
Will you watch the Super Bowl or boycott it for the League’s disrespect for veterans? Share your thoughts below!