This whole "athletes as role models" thing is kind of ridiculous. Jimmy Smith is my favorite football player of all time, period. I got to meet and talk with him a couple times when he visited the restaurant I worked at in high school, and he was a really, unbelievably nice guy. Took the time to talk and sign an autograph for me, which hangs framed on my wall to this day. I have nothing but nice things to say about him from the very, very limited interactions I had with him, and he was a true gentleman and a great brand ambassador for the NFL and the Jaguars.

No way in hell would I have emulated his private behavior. Not to knock the guy. Like I said, he was an incredibly nice guy the couple of times I got to talk to him, but not even close to being a role model.

Not really, most of these guys are heroes in their hometowns and local communities. People look up to them. 

Each to their own on Jimmy. I think Jimmy Smith can teach people alot more life lessons than someone like JJ Watt ever could. A great example of getting your life back on track after going off the rails a few times. In my eyes Jimmy would be a role model.

lol, its funny how everything is about race.  Out of all the people in the league you say Watt, a white guy haha

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As much as I love Jimmy and is one of my all time favorite players I would much rather my kids role model be Watt, who just raised 37 million for the people affected by Huricane Harvey than a recovering drug addict who did some time in prison. Just me

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Not really, most of these guys are heroes in their hometowns and local communities. People look up to them. 

Each to their own on Jimmy. I think Jimmy Smith can teach people alot more life lessons than someone like JJ Watt ever could. A great example of getting your life back on track after going off the rails a few times. In my eyes Jimmy would be a role model.

lol, its funny how everything is about race.  Out of all the people in the league you say Watt, a white guy haha

More so Watts one of the biggest stars in the NFL that does a ton of charity work..he's in contrast to Jimmy as Watts known for being very clean cut.

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I'm sticking with Snoop Dogg as my Jaguars role model

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As much as I love Jimmy and is one of my all time favorite players I would much rather my kids role model be Watt, who just raised 37 million for the people affected by Huricane Harvey than a recovering drug addict who did some time in prison.  Just me

Two guys with wildly different perspectives on life. The most adversity JJs been through is probably being injured playing football.

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As much as I love Jimmy and is one of my all time favorite players I would much rather my kids role model be Watt, who just raised 37 million for the people affected by Huricane Harvey than a recovering drug addict who did some time in prison.  Just me

Two guys with wildly different perspectives on life. The most adversity JJs been through is probably being injured playing football.

Maybe because JJ has always had his head on straight and not went down the wrong path?  Always tried to better himself and wanted whats best for his future?  Its what I want from my kids.

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Justin Blackmon would be a good role model. I heard he got his [BLEEP] together and is off probation

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@Colepepper Some Jaguars players say they won't take a knee, season ticket holders asking for refunds and getting them: https://t.co/WvE4sj8wWB


Told you, fans win out. Once the threat might hit the players and owners pockets, they will stand.

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Two guys with wildly different perspectives on life. The most adversity JJs been through is probably being injured playing football.

Maybe because JJ has always had his head on straight and not went down the wrong path?  Always tried to better himself and wanted whats best for his future?  Its what I want from my kids.

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Justin Blackmon would be a good role model.  I heard he got his [BLEEP] together and is off probation

I'm sure JJ can tell great stories about all those nights he didn't drink, didn't smoke , went to bed at 9 and got up early to hit the gym and play football.   

Haven't really heard much about Blackmon since all of that went down so not sure how much can be gleamed from him.  

I find flawed characters who got their life back on track much more interesting than those lived straight lace all the way.

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@Colepepper Some Jaguars players say they won't take a knee, season ticket holders asking for refunds and getting them: https://t.co/WvE4sj8wWB


Told you, fans win out. Once the threat might hit the players and owners pockets, they will stand.

A number of Jaguar season ticket holders tell News4Jax have called the team, requesting refunds for the remainder of their season tickets. Those refunds, according to ticket holders News4Jax spoke with, were given.

While not saying that refunds would be issued, the Jaguars did issue the following statement:

Our guests services team has heard from fans regarding the actions that took place during the national anthem around the NFL last Sunday - some are ticket holders, some are not, some are local and some are outside the market, some are calling with frustrations and some with support. As has always been the case, our goal is provide personalized service and a world-class game day experience to all fans, and as such we treat each situation on an individual, case-by-case basis. At any time during the season, fans wishing to voice a concern are welcome to contact our office at (904) 633-2000.  We will not have any further comment on the matter as a personal conversation with each ticket holder is always the most productive.

They will probably give the two or three folks a refund just to be nice.

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Looking to troll? Don't bother, we supply our own.

 

 

Maybe because JJ has always had his head on straight and not went down the wrong path?  Always tried to better himself and wanted whats best for his future?  Its what I want from my kids.

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Justin Blackmon would be a good role model.  I heard he got his [BLEEP] together and is off probation

I'm sure JJ can tell great stories about all those nights he didn't drink, didn't smoke , went to bed at 9 and got up early to hit the gym and play football.   

Haven't really heard much about Blackmon since all of that went down so not sure how much can be gleamed from him.  

I find flawed characters who got their life back on track much more interesting than those lived straight lace all the way.

I have to agree with all this.  Agree on Jimmy that he could give great life lessons and would have great stories.  Just different in what I would want in a role model for my kids.

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Maybe because for some fans this is much deeper than you could ever understand.  Have you ever been part of an Honor Guard carrying a coffin from a plane to a hanger where the deceased family waited?  Ever had a sibling killed in action?  Uncle?  A fellow soldier?  How about simply have you ever worn the uniform?  If you cannot answer yes to one of these questions then you simply do not understand.

To the OP, I get it, I understand the anguish however there are 2 more games before the Jags return home.  It is my hope they can make this better for veterans, their families and loved ones.  For me personally I completely understand this past weeks demonstration.  The president overstepped his boundaries and called out group of individuals that have a platform and they used it.

I can say yes to every one of those questions. I also understand that legally using your rights, like peacefully protesting, is actually quite respectful of those who can answer yes to those questions.

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Not sure of what your are getting at here.  Where has it been stated that it is illegal to protest in this fashion?  What exactly to you see as respectful?  Taking a knee, sitting on your duff, stretching?  All three?  And what about the parents of the soldier whose coffin you carried?  Do they have a right to deem it disrespectful?

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Original Season Ticket Holder - Retired  1995 - 2020


At some point you just have to let go of what you thought should happen and live in what is happening.
 

Two guys with wildly different perspectives on life. The most adversity JJs been through is probably being injured playing football.

Maybe because JJ has always had his head on straight and not went down the wrong path?  Always tried to better himself and wanted whats best for his future?  Its what I want from my kids.

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Justin Blackmon would be a good role model.  I heard he got his [BLEEP] together and is off probation

Devils advocate, suppose your kid got off track?  Which one then?

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Original Season Ticket Holder - Retired  1995 - 2020


At some point you just have to let go of what you thought should happen and live in what is happening.
 

Maybe because JJ has always had his head on straight and not went down the wrong path?  Always tried to better himself and wanted whats best for his future?  Its what I want from my kids.

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Justin Blackmon would be a good role model.  I heard he got his [BLEEP] together and is off probation

Devils advocate, suppose your kid got off track?  Which one then?

Matt Jones if that was the case

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We have been season ticket holder since Day 1 when we were first awarded a team back in 1993. Been to very game since 1995. Never imagined we would not attend every Jags game until we died.
We will be cancelling our season tickets tomorrow. We will not allow our American anthem and flag to be disrespected and support the effort in any way. There were millions of ways the players could have voiced their unrest and asked for a forum. But they chose to spit in our face. I could never face another military veteran again if I continued to support such a farce.
Jags - We will miss you. Good luck.

See you Sunday.

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This is pretty big.

That's what Melania never said.

Well, she did to me... 

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

I can say yes to every one of those questions. I also understand that legally using your rights, like peacefully protesting, is actually quite respectful of those who can answer yes to those questions.

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Not sure of what your are getting at here.  Where has it been stated that it is illegal to protest in this fashion?  What exactly to you see as respectful?  Taking a knee, sitting on your duff, stretching?  All three?  And what about the parents of the soldier whose coffin you carried?  Do they have a right to deem it disrespectful?

Simply pointing out that there are people who have experienced these things and don't see the kneeling as disrespect, because there is no better show of respect to those who fought than properly utilizing the rights they fought to preserve. And of course, anybody can feel any way they want about this issue.

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Not sure of what your are getting at here.  Where has it been stated that it is illegal to protest in this fashion?  What exactly to you see as respectful?  Taking a knee, sitting on your duff, stretching?  All three?  And what about the parents of the soldier whose coffin you carried?  Do they have a right to deem it disrespectful?

Simply pointing out that there are people who have experienced these things and don't see the kneeling as disrespect, because there is no better show of respect to those who fought than properly utilizing the rights they fought to preserve. And of course, anybody can feel any way they want about this issue.

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I don't think I am going out on a limb to say you would be in the minority with that opinion of the aforementioned group and there is nothing wrong with that.  While I don't agree with it, I don't see kneeling as disrespectful either.  Sitting on your rear end or stretching during the anthem on the other hand I deem to be extremely so, especially to those that served for your right to do so.

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Original Season Ticket Holder - Retired  1995 - 2020


At some point you just have to let go of what you thought should happen and live in what is happening.
 

Two guys with wildly different perspectives on life. The most adversity JJs been through is probably being injured playing football.

Maybe because JJ has always had his head on straight and not went down the wrong path?  Always tried to better himself and wanted whats best for his future?  Its what I want from my kids.

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Justin Blackmon would be a good role model.  I heard he got his [BLEEP] together and is off probation

Agreed. I think that's one of the reasons I've always thought very highly of J.J. If you don't get into trouble to begin with, you won't have to deal with certain situations. He teaches kids that you can be a big star, do good in the world and be admired by millions without causing trouble and breaking the law.

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Simply pointing out that there are people who have experienced these things and don't see the kneeling as disrespect, because there is no better show of respect to those who fought than properly utilizing the rights they fought to preserve. And of course, anybody can feel any way they want about this issue.

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I don't think I am going out on a limb to say you would be in the minority with that opinion of the aforementioned group and there is nothing wrong with that.  While I don't agree with it, I don't see kneeling as disrespectful either.  Sitting on your rear end or stretching during the anthem on the other hand I deem to be extremely so, especially to those that served for your right to do so.

Its probably more of a limb than you realize. Of the group that I maintain contact with, nearly all of them are of the opinion of these protests are "respectful". Thats just my group of people though. Nothing scientific....

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Until last year, the NFL did not normally broadcast the singing of the Anthem. Now it is one of the highest rated segments of NFL broadcasts.

It looks like the plan for this week is everyone standing with locked arms, including the paying customers in the stands. I'm all for that and wouldn't mind if it became a tradition. Some of my most memorable Jaguar games occurred while locked in the arms of the random fan.

It's not as you might think, you dirty-minded gadabouts. Her husband was there. She was just too big for the seat. And I was the type to require about 98% of my seat space anyway. I squoze in there with my shoulders hunched together as narrow as I could make them. She was at least 4 inches into my seat. After about 30 seconds she said "Uh-uh honey, this ain't gonna work", and put her big arm around me like my own sweet Mother never did. We spent an enjoyable Jaguar victory arm-in-arm, with her husband supplying the peanuts.

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Until last year, the NFL did not normally broadcast the singing of the Anthem.  Now it is one of the highest rated segments of NFL broadcasts.  

It looks like the plan for this week is everyone standing with locked arms, including the paying customers in the stands.  I'm all for that and wouldn't mind if it became a tradition.  Some of my most memorable Jaguar games occurred while locked in the arms of the random fan.  

It's not as you might think, you dirty-minded gadabouts.  Her husband was there.  She was just too big for the seat.  And I was the type to require about 98% of my seat space anyway.  I squoze in there with my shoulders hunched together as narrow as I could make them.  She was at least 4 inches into my seat.  After about 30 seconds she said "Uh-uh honey, this ain't gonna work", and put her big arm around me like my own sweet Mother never did.  We spent an enjoyable Jaguar victory arm-in-arm, with her husband supplying the peanuts.

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