Done with the NFL

I have decided to disown the NFL and never patronize it in any way, shape or form. The NFL has proven time and again that it doesn’t represent values I wish to espouse or promote.

1. It turned a blind eye to obvious domestic violence amongst its players while trying to conceal the systemic magnitude of the issue.

2. It tried to minimize and cover up the injury trauma to players, especially with respect to concussions;

3. The breaking point for me was its reaction to Colin Kaepernick’s dissing the American flag and national anthem while forbidding the Dallas Cowboys from wearing emblems in recognition of the five slain Dallas cops.

I’m a staunch advocate of the First Amendment and have no problem with anyone — even Kaepernick — expressing his personal views. I do have a problem with the NFL when they support the free-speech rights of a dissident employee of the NFL who believes in “Hands up, don’t shoot” while denying a football team the same right to express its recognition of the assassination of policemen.

Now, I’ll express my right by writing off the NFL. I hope many others follow suit.

This story was originally published October 19, 2016 at 6:45 PM with the headline "Done with the NFL."