Starting with Flag Day and continuing through the Fourth of July. the Red, White & Blue flags are waving. Also, with the U.S. women’s team in the finals of the soccer World Cup, patriotism is at an all-time high. However, mixed-in are signals of discontent. I’m rarely one who dips into politics but when it crosses the path of sports it stirs my emotions even more. To me, sports are an escape from “real world” problems and the high-profile athletes. who are fortunate enough to be part of it, need to support our country rather than tear it apart. With this in mind, I don’t agree with the National Anthem shenanigans of the Colin Kaepernicks and Megan Rapinoes of the world. I don’t necessarily disagree with their opinions, but please try to find a different platform to express them. Be a team player!

As a white male, it’s easy to discount my feelings on slavery and women’s rights. In the interest of equality both situations are tragic scars on our nation’s history. Even to this day, they continue to sadly affect our business and personal relationships. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to alter those years that shaped our nation. We can only move forward with new respect for our neighbor regardless of color, creed, sex, nationality or gender. Protests are not the answer and far from the solution. Athletes need to understand that they could not make a prosperous living playing sports if these games were also not part of this same American heritage. They too often act like victims of injustice, when they were given skills that most of the rest of us don’t possess. 

At the same time, should Nike pull a patriotic sneaker because Colin Kaepernick feels that the Betsy Ross flag is a reminder of slavery? Or, is Nike evil for even trying to capitalize on the symbol? Should the State of Arizona have retaliated by withdrawing Nike building incentives on headquarter plans? Will the next step be Red, White, & Blue in general banned from the commercial market? Should the New England Patriots or the New England Revolution change their names? Do the Portland Thorns remind religious fanatics of the crucifixion? 

War, slavery, repression, cruelty, superiority, discrimination, and countless other acts of cruel treatment are all part of America’s history. Every time we sing the National Anthem is it really necessary to regurgitate the past? I’m proud to be an American – good bad, or ugly and it disturbs me when other Americans try to tear our country apart – let alone the rest of the world. I’m a patriot but not a Patriot’s fan. As they say, “Love it or Leave It,” now play ball ball, salute the flag, and with all due respect shut up!