Last MAN standing in the NFL, Ranger Alejandro Villanueva

[Team Sergeant]

Doesn't surprise me that's its an American Military Veteran..........

Well done Ranger Villanueva.








Alejandro Villanueva only Steelers player to appear for national anthem
By Rebecca Savransky - 09/24/17 03:53 PM EDT

Alejandro Villanueva was the only player on the Pittsburgh Steelers to come out of the locker room*Sunday*when the national anthem played ahead of the game.
Villanueva, who served three tours in Afghanistan as an Army ranger, stood outside the locker room tunnel and put*his hand over his heart during the national anthem.

Most of the players on the Steelers stayed in their locker room as the national
anthem played before their game Sunday in Chicago.*

Photos showed an empty Steelers' sideline as the anthem played.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said ahead of the game the team would not be participating in the anthem.
"Not to be disrespectful to the anthem, to remove ourselves from the circumstance. People shouldn't have to choose. If a guy wants to go about his normal business and participate in the anthem, he shouldn't be forced to choose sides,” Tomlin told CBS before the game.
“If a guy feels the need to do something, he shouldn't be separated from his teammate who chooses not to. So we're not participating today. That's our decision. We're gonna be 100 percent.”
The decision came after President Trump last week attacked NFL players who refuse to stand during the national anthem.
"Wouldn't you love to see one of*these NFL owners, when somebody*disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a b---- off the*field right now,'" Trump said at a rally in Alabama on Friday. "'He is fired.'"*
Trump*doubled down on his attacks on Sunday, tweeting that kneeling is "not acceptable."
"Courageous Patriots have fought and died for our great American Flag --- we MUST honor and respect it! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump tweeted.
Several teams and players have since come out against Trump's comments, calling them divisive and disappointing.

http://thehill.com/homenews/news/352...ational-anthem

[tonyz]

If there is going to be a second civil war - this is the easiest litmus test in the history of the planet.

If you can't stand for our national anthem or pledge alliegence to the Flag...I know where you stand and I know where I stand...and let's not forget those who stand and those who do not. Actions have consequences.

There is no doubt in my heart where I STAND on this issue...where is your heart and where do you STAND on this issue?

Yup, time to pick sides...and this one's simple.

The NFL is about money...hit 'em where it hurts.

[Mustang Man]

Sports was one of the last remaining things to be non-politized, now that ship has sailed. This is good because Joe six-pack can finally wake up and personally see these crazy leftist antics live on his idiot box. It's safe to say the average American couch potato AT THE VERY LEAST is starting to get annoyed with these players actions. This is a win win for us in the culture war.

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by tonyz

If there is going to be a second civil war - this is the easiest litmus test in the history of the planet.

If you can't stand for our national anthem or pledge alliegence to the Flag...I know where you stand and I know where I stand...and let's not forget those who stand and those who do not. Actions have consequences.

There is no doubt in my heart where I STAND on this issue...where is your heart and where do you STAND on this issue?

Yup, time to pick sides...and this one's simple.

The NFL is about money...hit 'em where it hurts.

I quite watching pro sports decades ago and I haven't spent on a red cent on their crap......and that won't change anytime soon.

Kind of amazing that many (probably most) of these ass hats would at best be flipping burgers and at worst be roaming the streets if it were not for the NFL and the white folks that pay to watch them play a kids game. Hell, they would all still be picking cotton on plantations were it not for white folks.

[Sohei]

Many times...doing the right thing requires you to have to do it alone!

Thank you, Brother for being willing to do it!

[tonyz]

Millionaires who will not stand for our national anthem should be shunned. Not just at the stadium.

[turboprop]

Originally Posted by Paslode

I quite watching pro sports decades ago and I haven't spent on a red cent on their crap......and that won't change anytime soon.

Kind of amazing that many (probably most) of these ass hats would at best be flipping burgers and at worst be roaming the streets if it were not for the NFL and the white folks that pay to watch them play a kids game. Hell, they would all still be picking cotton on plantations were it not for white folks.

I have some brothers in Special Forces that are black. I'm sure they would love to thank you for not being on plantations.

I don't care for the NFL personally, but I understand the concept of being at the top of a game. It doesn't just happen. Those guys (white, black or purple) didn't just decide they were going to do that instead of selling crack or flipping burgers. While you may have a shallow and amateurish existence, that isn't the life that everyone lives.

In the future, please find a more appropriate forum for racist blubbering. If you're confused, re-read my first sentence.

As far as the actual story, well-done Alejandro. There is a way to handle this stuff with class that has a far more profound effect than spitting bile back and forth. Setting the example for others to follow.

[bblhead672]

I hope Mr. Villanueva's actions will continue each week. Perhaps other Steeler players will follow his leadership.

Thank you Ranger Villanueva!

[TJ11B]

Good on you Ranger!

Thanks for setting the example.

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by turboprop

I have some brothers in Special Forces that are black. I'm sure they would love to thank you for not being on plantations.

I don't care for the NFL personally, but I understand the concept of being at the top of a game. It doesn't just happen. Those guys (white, black or purple) didn't just decide they were going to do that instead of selling crack or flipping burgers. While you may have a shallow and amateurish existence, that isn't the life that everyone lives.

In the future, please find a more appropriate forum for racist blubbering. If you're confused, re-read my first sentence.

As far as the actual story, well-done Alejandro. There is a way to handle this stuff with class that has a far more profound effect than spitting bile back and forth. Setting the example for others to follow.

Using the term "racist", that begs the question.... If a non-black person knows some black people, does that make their comments/argument more compelling?And, should this be emphasized when commenting on issues that obviously involve race (in this instance, as the originator Colin Kapernick emphasized).

I'm asking this as a white person who knows some black people.

[turboprop]

Originally Posted by abc_123

Using the term "racist", that begs the question.... If a non-black person knows some black people, does that make their comments/argument more compelling?And, should this be emphasized when commenting on issues that obviously involve race (in this instance, as the originator Colin Kapernick emphasized).

I'm asking this as a white person who knows some black people.

What do you mean? Is it racist to ask black people to thank white people that they are not slaves on a plantation? I think so. In order to over simplify slavery and the end of slavery to that level you would have to see the world through a lens I simply don't have. If I were to break it all the way down to the core I would call the end of slavery a triumph of good over evil.

Do we thank people for not stealing from us? Raping us? Killing us? I don't think it's necessary because there is a basic human expectation that those acts, along with enslaving other humans, is not and should not be tolerated. I would like to think that regardless of whether or not I had friends of various races and ethnic backgrounds I would have the same moral code. I'll never know, as we are all victims of our own experiences. So if I see something I perceive to be "racist," I see a specific attack against a person that I care about.

I don't mean to take away from the discussion with an esoteric description of my own philosophies. For what its worth, I'm not agreeing with kneeling during the national anthem by any stretch. The national anthem and flag also have deep personal meaning for me. It's been a little while since I've been to a pro sports event, but I can certainly recall rendering proper courtesy during the Star Spangled Banner when many around did not. The men and women to whom the anthem pays tribute made this country the free country she is, one affords people the option to sit there an mouth breathe if they so chose.

[the squid]

Originally Posted by tonyz

If there is going to be a second civil war - this is the easiest litmus test in the history of the planet.

If you can't stand for our national anthem or pledge alliegence to the Flag...I know where you stand and I know where I stand...and let's not forget those who stand and those who do not. Actions have consequences.

What about those who would stand but support the right to kneel? Yeah, I know, the first amendment doesn't protect you from your employer. I get that. My point is that it's entirely possible to have a nuanced point of view on this, to disagree with their actions without coming off like a rabid lunatic pining for another civil war so he can act out his military fantasy.

What consequences? A second civil war? Are you going to shoot them?

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by the squid

What about those who would stand but support the right to kneel? Yeah, I know, the first amendment doesn't protect you from your employer. I get that. My point is that it's entirely possible to have a nuanced point of view on this, to disagree with their actions without coming off like a rabid lunatic pining for another civil war so he can act out his military fantasy.

What consequences? A second civil war? Are you going to shoot them?

They have the right to kneel. The team owners and the league have the right to fire them or fine them. My issues are with the owners and the league. IF taking that knee cost you your salary for that week then I'd gladly watch. In fact tracking the fines would be a better spectator sport than the boring NFL games. Shoot, Las Vegas could even run a line on particular players "kneeling streaks". Fines could go to charity.

Players get to make their point (whatever that is), fans don't get alienated with the whole league, charities get donations. There. I solved this whole mess and I've only had two beers.

[the squid]

Originally Posted by abc_123

They have the right to kneel. The team owners and the league have the right to fire them or fine them. My issues are with the owners and the league. IF taking that knee cost you your salary for that week then I'd gladly watch. In fact tracking the fines would be a better spectator sport than the boring NFL games. Shoot, Las Vegas could even run a line on particular players "kneeling streaks". Fines could go to charity.

Players get to make their point (whatever that is), fans don't get alienated with the whole league, charities get donations. There. I solved this whole mess and I've only had two beers.

I get all of that.

I resent the whole "if there's another civil war, this is a great litmus test" rhetoric from somebody who I assume has never worn the uniform.

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by the squid

I get all of that.

I resent the whole "if there's another civil war, this is a great litmus test" rhetoric from somebody who I assume has never worn the uniform.

That's good, but c'mon man I just solved this issue for the whole damn country and you don't even mention it in your reply! What's up with that?!!!