Oh Say, Where Do We Go From Here?

In the once, pastoral, Americana world of sports, we proudly stood for the National Anthem, waved flags and cheered in unison as a singer would belt out the final line, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Then we would sit down and become mini Babe Ruths, stuffing hot dogs and swirling beers down our throats as we cheered our sports heroes home.

But in Week 3 of the NFL, something changed. President Donald Trump, one of the most polarizing individuals in America (along with Colin Kaepernick), brusquely commented that NFL owners should fire any player or what he brazenly called “sons of bitches” who do not stand for the National Anthem.

Of course, “You’re fired!” is the President’s most famous catch phrase. But when he used it while sprinkling expletives to massive, powerful athletes already steeped and sensitive about racial and social injustice in this country, the only way he could have upped the wrath he was about to receive would have been to attack the entire female race. After all, Hell hath no fury…

The result was the biggest demonstration of unity by NFL players since 9-11-2001 when the whole country came together. That day was expected, this day more people tuned into the Anthem portion of the broadcast than the game.