Here we go again. The NFL season is going to be paralyzed by national anthem protests and counter-protests.
This time it’s about the players on the Cleveland Browns kneeling in a Kaepernick-like moment.
Some police officers and paramedics are doing something about it. The Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association and ILA Local 1975, representing the city’s dispatchers, EMTs and paramedics, said the Browns came to them weeks ago, and the team wanted city safety forces to hold the flag on the field for the opening game.
EMS union president Daniel Nemeth said it sounded great until a group of Browns players took a knee during the anthem.
“This hit home with me. I am a veteran, an 8-year veteran with the U.S. Marine Corps. So, to disrespect the flag by taking a knee is not something I was going to be a part of,” Nemeth said.
We tracked down police union president Steve Loomis out of state at a police convention.
“I’m here at a national police convention, and soon as they hear that I’m from Cleveland, the first question is ‘What about those stinking Browns?'” Loomis said. “So if the ownership of the Browns and the league are going to allow that type of stuff to happen, and then come to us and say, ‘We want you to help us with the flag,’ that’s hypocritical. We’re not gonna participate.”
I really think they need to tamp down on this stuff. Players have every opportunity outside of their appearance on a football field, to protest whatever they want. But this drags their fellow players and fans into a political stunt that isn’t persuading anyone. Cut it out, people!!!