John Sheda

As just about everyone knows, there is a controversy between some NFL players and the respect or lack thereof during the playing of the National Anthem. And again as we all know, it is out of respect that when the National Anthem is played, anywhere and everywhere, that the proper and respectful thing to do is to stand, remove our hats or caps and even place our right hands over our hearts. Many of us even sing along as best we can. This is the proper and respectful thing to do……….no matter who you are!!

Well, in a preseason game in 2016, several football players protested the Flag, ( I guess), during the playing of the National Anthem, by putting a knee to the ground or sitting on the bench. AND THE CONTROVERSY BEGAN!! Everyone became upset! And rightly so!! The big question………….WHAT TO DO???

This year the NFL has a new rule regarding this, (I guess). NFL players and coaches must either stand during the National Anthem or stay in the locker room until it’s been played. I don’t think it’s working or going to work. I’m not sure if there’s an easy fix to this but there is a fix. A great example of this can be found in Major League Baseball and my beloved New York Yankees.

The Yankees are owned by the Steinbrenner family. If, as you watch a game involving the Yankees, you will notice that no player on the team has a beard or long hair. A neatly trimmed mustache is acceptable but absolutely no beards or long hair over the ears. No other team in baseball does this except the Yankees. And every ballplayer on the Yankees abides by this rule. Why?? Because they work for the Steinbrenner family and the Steinbrenners have a simple policy-NO LONG HAIR OR BEARDS! Yankee players can protest, (I guess), but to no avail. There’s a rule developed by the owners and either abide by it or go sign a contract with someone else.

The fix of the NFL controversy can be solved in similar fashion–the owners of each team can say “ANY PLAYER ON MY TEAM WILL COME OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM, WILL STAND DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND WILL DO SO WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY”. The consequences would be that if you don’t abide by the ownership rules, then go sign with another team. And if some owners of NFL teams don’t care whether you stand, jump up and down, do cartwheels or just lie down, then that’s there prerogative. If this is done, let their fans decide!!

Right now the NFL is losing money and losing a lot. Plus they’re losing fans. But for me, I think it all rides on the NFL owners. And ultimately we the fans will dictate the results of the controversy. When some of these million dollar players stop being million dollar players, maybe they will realize how important the National Anthem really is to people. Let them find a way to peacefully protest in another way. But not at the playing of the National Anthem. We the public can and will dictate their fate!!

Anyway if you agree or disagree with this, go ahead and “take a mulligan” at jsheda@indytel.com or call at 319.327.4640.

By the way, learn the words to the National Anthem and next time you hear it played, be brave and sing, sing, sing!!!