The NFL Double Standard is Alive and Well

The National Football League has descended as low into the hypocrisy barrel as it can go if you ask me.

While the internet explodes this morning over Colin Kaepernick's decision to not stand during the National Anthem, I'm more disgusted with the double standard of the NFL, not only in their support for his decision to disrespect the flag, but also with their decision to disallow the Dallas Cowboys to wear stickers showing support for the officers that were murdered in their city in an ambush.

The NFL released this statement with regard to Kaepernick's protest:

The NFL also released a statement, obtained by NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport: "Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem."

With regard to the Arm in Arm decal the Cowboys wanted to wear on their helmets, the NFL said that every team "must be uniform," and so the decal was disallowed.

One Dallas Morning News sports columnist agreed, saying that there are "other ways to honor them without opening this political door," however I believe that Colin Kaepernick has opened a much bigger political door.

I'd rather focus on the NFL in this debate than Kaepernick because the NFL has long proven itself to be a disreputable and biased organization.  They allow criminal behavior from their players, they stage raunchy, anti-police half-time shows at the Super Bowl, and they have consistently shown bias against behavior that goes toward Christian morality and positive role models, only reversing themselves on that last issue when called out about it.

When asked about his boycott of the flag, Kaepernick said:

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

If this is "bigger than football," then don't use football to protest it.  Do something where you can make a difference.  Perhaps he should follow the advice of this Army Ranger.

How many inner city, troubled kids does he mentor?  I haven't seen that information yet.

Kaepernick is a spoiled, ungrateful brat who most definitely wants it to be all about him.  As bad as that is, shame on the NFL for allowing him to hijack their platform for this nonsense.

But of course, the NFL likely feels the same way.  Really, the bottom line here is that it is okay to boycott the American flag but not okay to support police officers.

Hypocrites.

Terry Bradshaw Speaks Out on Ben Roethlisberger

Our local television station, KTBS, put up this interview with ex-Steeler Terry Bradshaw and his comments on the Ben Roethlisberger kerfuffle.  I'm sharing it because I actually liked Bradshaw's advice.  I appreciate a good athlete as much as the next person but I'm also of the school that I just think it's insane we live in a society where police officers and teachers are the lowest paid and least appreciated organisms on the planet and sports figures are celebrated and lauded to the high heavens.

At any rate, as Roethlisberger muddles his way through the landmine of contracts, women and the legal justice system, he could do worse than listen to Bradshaw here:

31-17!!! DAT IS ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hell has frozen over! Government Offices in Washington are shut down tomorrow...and the SAINTS WON THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was a nervous wreck up until the last minute and a half and then I figured we had it!

Shortly after the game ended you could hear yelling and horns honking all around; I went outside on the porch and a guy was running down the street in his tennis shoes, his briefs, and nothing else, hands over head, with his friend driving along behind him honking the horn for all to hear. I'm assuming he lost a bet!

The Dead Pelican has gone black and gold and has the siren up. Red Stick Rant is also celebrating with black and gold.

Here is a live cam of Bourbon Street! Here is the corner of Napoleon and St. Charles.

Good times!

Who Dat Owns Who Dat?

Who Dat says they own the Who Dat copyright? The NFL, that's Who Dat.

And now they might sue me, too, because I'm using it.

In letters sent to at least two retailers, the NFL has demanded that they quit selling items with the Who Dat slogan on it. They claim trademark infringement. NOLA reports:

In letters sent to Fleurty Girl and Storyville, the NFL ordered the retailers to stop selling a host of merchandise that it says violates state and federal trademarks held by the New Orleans Saints.

Among the long list of things the NFL says is off-limits without a licensing agreement are some obvious violations like the official logo of the Saints and the team's name. But the one that stands out is "Who Dat."

Today, Senator David Vitter has responded to NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell. Vitter explains the history of "Who Dat" as follows:

"Who Dat" was probably first heard in New Orleans minstrel shows well over 130 years ago. Much more recently, but before it was used in connection with the Saints, it was used as a rallying cry by St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. In the 1980s it was adopted by Saints fans in a completely spontaneous way. Only later did any legal persons, including the Saints and the NFL, try to claim it through registration.

Perhaps more significant than this history, "Who Dat" has become part of New Orleans and Louisiana popular culture. For the NFL to try to claim exclusive ownership of it would be like me registering and trying to claim exclusive ownership of the terms "lagniappe" and "laissez les bons temps rouler!”

Furthermore, Vitter has vowed to print his own t-shirts that say, "Who Dat say we can't print Who Dat?" on them.

Who Dat indeed!

Next thing you know we won't be able to say Geaux Saints, either.

NFL claims ownership of Who Dat

The Dead Pelican Celebrates!

The Dead Pelican has gone black and gold! Awesome!

Who DAT!??????!!!!!!!!!!