(05-27-2018, 04:31 PM)flsprtsgod Wrote:

(05-27-2018, 03:15 PM)mikesez Wrote: I actually agree when it comes to political messages, they should stay out of the workplace generally.

But if there is a need to specifically protest working conditions, as there often was in the years 1865-1935, protesting on the clock may be the only choice.

And if your employer is specifically making money off of your name, reputation, and likeness, as all NFL teams and entertainment companies in general are, you as an employee have much more leverage than an average joe like you or me have with our employers.  If they get to put your face on their tickets and their billboards, you get some power to say what you feel while the cameras are on.  Yes, if you say something controversial, you could hurt them, but you'd be hurting yourself too and that should be your choice to make.

And the employer can then fine or take other punitive action. What should not be happening is all these people saying the NFL is quelching free speech, as they have no obligation to permit it.

Right. In general, private citizens can withhold business from other private citizens for any reason or no reason, including offensive speech or demonstrations, but not including that person's membership in a protected class such as a racial, gender, or ethnic category.

If there's a union contract in place, though, that has to be followed first. I don't really know what the Union contract says on this matter but it is important, as are the individual player contracts.

The NFL has the specific job of putting the best possible athletes on the field to compete at the highest possible level. Sometimes athletes get excluded from competition for reasons that have nothing to do with their performance on the field. They've taken an extremely hard line against players with traces of pot in their systems, but they've taken, "yeah, she was drunk, yeah I just met her, yes we had rough sex, but I swear she didn't say no..." as acceptable on rape accusations. So the standards of behavior we hold these guys to are odd.  Drink and smoke tobacco to your heart's content, just don't drive.  And dont ever touch the wacky weed!  Abuse women if you want, just make sure no one else hears her say no, and make sure there are no cameras. Go ahead and try to take out the other guy's knees, that is, unless the other guy is the white star quarterback. And don't ever talk about politics, or racism, and don't do anything but stand at attention while the anthem plays.

Does any of this seem arbitrary and hypocritical to you? Is it just me?

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