Wednesday, May 23, 2018

What If? NFL National Anthem Brain Teasers


You either agree or disagree with the NFL’s stand-for-the -anthem policy. I have an opinion, too.
But today, we are going to think about some different possibilities. Think about these … drop me a line on FB or at mhl@illinois.edu.

Brain Teaser #1: Player Shows Support for Confederacy. During the national anthem, a player takes off his helmet, while standing for the national anthem, and is wearing a bandanna with the Confederate flag. President Trump tweets approval; many players and fans express outrage. Should the NFL expand its “flag policy” to ban players from wearing the Confederate flag?

Brain Teaser #2: A wide receiver who scores many touchdowns puts a tatoo on his face showing the American flag being burned. After he scores touchdowns, he removes his helmet and points to his tatoo. President Trump tweets outrage and is joined by many of his supporters. Many other people stand up for the player’s right to bodily self-expression. The players’ union says the league cannot go so far as to ban tatoos because of their political content because the NFL already tolerates a high degree of tatoo shots on camera. Should the league take action against the flag-burning-tatoo player or not?

Brain Teaser #3: In protest of the NFL’s anthem policy, a majority of players declare the fourth Wednesday of every month during the season as a social justice day. They don’t show up for practice—but they do show up to serve as guards at public schools where shootings have occurred. The league fines the players and threatens to escalate discipline. Should the NFL tolerate these sporadic work stoppages or impose discipline?

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