by Rvaughn » Sat Sep 30, 2017 3:17 pm
A lot of the discussion in the media has been framed as if this is a case of First Amendment rights of free speech. But the first amendment is a restriction on the government, not private employers. There are other issues of labor laws, contracts and such like that may come into play, but the football players have no "first amendment right" of free speech to protest while on the job. But Sandy is right, the players are higher paid, higher profile and more important than the coaches or owners, so the owners will handle it with kid gloves. They know where their bread is buttered. If the fans protest were to become so strong they come not ignore, then they would do something. But folks are going to buy tickets, pay for parking, buy concessions, buy jerseys and other memorabilia, and as long as they do the owners aren't worried. Its the economic reality that drives the situation, not philosophical views on either side of the protests.
Where I work, folks who are under contract basically can't be fired unless they violate the contract. But if they anger the wrong people they can certainly be reassigned, even to a closet (at the same pay, of course). That's just not going to happen to a really good player in the NFL, at least rarely happen.
Keith, you are right that a lot of this has been redirected toward Trump and maybe a lot of people will forget what was all about in the first place. But we can't blame all that on Trump. Those who responded to Trump instead of the original focus are also guilty of having a part in the misdirection. If you strike me on the cheek, I can choose to strike back or I can choose to turn the other cheek. When I strike back that is my decision, even if you hit me first.