I read that this past weekend all 28 NFL teams had at least some players who protested the American flag and the national anthem in response to the President’s condemning some others before them, who had been using their fame, wealth and prestige as a platform for expressing their liberal politics by refusing to stand for the national anthem. Just the fact that you are on an NFL team means you are very rich. The average salary, not counting all the bonuses, endorsement deals, investment gains etc. is over two million dollars per year. Spoiled, pampered, and living in luxury, many of these people still find it necessary to demonstrate their dishonoring of the country and the symbol of this country, the flag.
I wonder, will anyone in the NFL ever get it as to the factors causing the ongoing declines in attendance at their games? This was a headline from Business Insider in this week’s Sept. 22, 2017 edition: “The NFL is getting hammered after another game was played in a half-empty stadium. It’s not just football itself. The same week the Rams drew 56,000 and the Chargers drew 25,000, USC had over 84,000 at their game against Texas. Don’t be too surprised though, if we see college football following in the direction of NFL football in becoming politicized and further polluted.”
Not every NFL player buckled under to the pressures to join in the dishonoring actions though. World magazine reported the following account: “The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to remain in the stadium tunnel prior to their game in Chicago Sunday, with one exception: offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva. The former Army Ranger who served three tours in Afghanistan stepped out onto the field in front of his teammates to take part in the playing of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner.’ Good for him!”
Far beyond our allegiance to flag and country ought to be our allegiance to our Saviour and to those eternal truths which transcend all nations and all times. Psalm 62:8, Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.