''When ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise'' seems to be the rule of the day in the NFL. The question that remains for me and many others, is how does the NFL repair the bubble that we all once lived in while watch in the spring how teams were being formed and then during the season how we prayed for their particular success, has now been cruelly burst.
Clearly, I and many others have suddenly, and I do mean suddenly, become terribly confused as we watch this year as so many teams are taking a knee or standing locking arms during the anthem, forcing us that believe that removing your hat, standing with your hand over your heart for the national anthem is an American obligation as a citizen of this great country, to look at these football teams with a different and jaundiced eye that once saw these people as bigger then life itself, worshiped and adored, but now we see only just other ordinary people, though rich and privileged people, that have a political axe to grind in side the stadium, similar to the political and violent chaos outside the stadium.
This is unacceptable.
Apparently their is no escaping the gut retching chaos of partisan politics and mental ineptitude out side of the stadium, but now has come inside the stadium, other then not attending the NFL football games or turning the channel.
There just has to be a better to be a better way to enjoy the day and maybe the author is right. Maybe baseball is the way to gain relief and enjoyment to escape tragic daily news if only for a few hours on the week end by watch or attending a baseball game.
The NFL’s Folly Means Baseball Can Once Again Become America’s Passion
Jarrett Stepman / @JarrettStepman /
Just a few years ago, the idea that the National Football League would be knocked off its pedestal as America’s top sport would have been laughable. The initial national anthem kneeling incident of unemployed NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has exploded into a league-wide phenomenon.
While kneeling for the anthem is technically against the NFL operation guidelines, the league has vacillated between turning a blind eye to and opposing the actions. All the while, the powers that be ruthlessly crack down on minor uniform infractions, end zone celebrations, and tributes to cops and 9/11 victims.
The result has been increasing discontent over what has been frequently called America’s “passion.” Though football still technically rests at the top of the heap as far as overall ratings, a significant shift is taking place. Baseball, America’s original pastime, is retaking its spot in our hearts.
Remarkably, Game 5 of the World Series, a titanic struggle between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers, surpassed Sunday Night Football in the ratings with 19 million viewers. This is now the second year in a row that it has happened. And a recently released survey showed that Major League Baseball has surpassed the NFL in popularity. Meanwhile, Morning Consult recently found that the NFL’s brand popularity had fallen to its lowest point since it began tracking it in May.
The signs that a torch is passing are unmistakable.
A combination of boring games, worrying science over brain injuries, and noxious politics is dragging down the NFL, and baseball is reaping the benefits.
The NFL was, until recently, a uniting cultural institution for this country. It was one of the few things that Americans of almost any background and political affiliation could bond over and enjoy.
But the league has made a number of self-inflicted missteps that have failed to ease the worries of those who think the sport is too dangerous and have alienated the game’s most fervent supporters.
Whether intentionally or not, baseball has stepped up at the right time.
Two years of fantastic World Series games certainly help, regardless of the ball juicing controversy. Even without the presence of the New York Yankees, there has been a huge amount of interest in the games. Whether it’s seeing which team can break a World Series curse, such as with last year’s Indians-Cubs matchup, or a competitive series between highly talented teams as we have this year, the game is simply fun for dedicated and casual fans. But importantly, the game has mostly avoided the political battles that have embroiled the NFL and the NBA.
One MLB player kneeled for the national anthem, Bruce Maxwell of the Oakland Athletics. But he’s unlikely to be carrying out these protests in a major league uniform any time soon. Since the protest, Maxwell has gone on to accuse a waiter in Alabama for not serving him over politics, an allegation the restaurant vehemently denies, and has gotten himself arrested for allegedly brandishing a firearm at a food delivery person.
It would be wise for the league to put a lid on the controversy now and, as Jon Del Arroz wrote in The Federalist, “keep America’s pastime a fun, family-friendly celebration of American culture for decades to come.”
Sports rise and fall in America. At one time boxing and horse racing were ubiquitous, but they receded as the NFL and other sports took their place.
Now, poor decisions at a time when the sport is literally under the microscope have opened the door for something else to take its place. Americans badly need something they can still rally around.
Back to back phenomenal World Series matchups have opened the door for a sport as American as apple pie to reassert itself and become something that unites the country once again.
Baseball has an amazing opportunity to step into the void, if it doesn’t blow it.
Clearly, I and many others have suddenly, and I do mean suddenly, become terribly confused as we watch this year as so many teams are taking a knee or standing locking arms during the anthem, forcing us that believe that removing your hat, standing with your hand over your heart for the national anthem is an American obligation as a citizen of this great country, to look at these football teams with a different and jaundiced eye that once saw these people as bigger then life itself, worshiped and adored, but now we see only just other ordinary people, though rich and privileged people, that have a political axe to grind in side the stadium, similar to the political and violent chaos outside the stadium.
This is unacceptable.
Apparently their is no escaping the gut retching chaos of partisan politics and mental ineptitude out side of the stadium, but now has come inside the stadium, other then not attending the NFL football games or turning the channel.
There just has to be a better to be a better way to enjoy the day and maybe the author is right. Maybe baseball is the way to gain relief and enjoyment to escape tragic daily news if only for a few hours on the week end by watch or attending a baseball game.
The NFL’s Folly Means Baseball Can Once Again Become America’s Passion
Jarrett Stepman / @JarrettStepman /
Just a few years ago, the idea that the National Football League would be knocked off its pedestal as America’s top sport would have been laughable. The initial national anthem kneeling incident of unemployed NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has exploded into a league-wide phenomenon.
While kneeling for the anthem is technically against the NFL operation guidelines, the league has vacillated between turning a blind eye to and opposing the actions. All the while, the powers that be ruthlessly crack down on minor uniform infractions, end zone celebrations, and tributes to cops and 9/11 victims.
The result has been increasing discontent over what has been frequently called America’s “passion.” Though football still technically rests at the top of the heap as far as overall ratings, a significant shift is taking place. Baseball, America’s original pastime, is retaking its spot in our hearts.
Remarkably, Game 5 of the World Series, a titanic struggle between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers, surpassed Sunday Night Football in the ratings with 19 million viewers. This is now the second year in a row that it has happened. And a recently released survey showed that Major League Baseball has surpassed the NFL in popularity. Meanwhile, Morning Consult recently found that the NFL’s brand popularity had fallen to its lowest point since it began tracking it in May.
The signs that a torch is passing are unmistakable.
A combination of boring games, worrying science over brain injuries, and noxious politics is dragging down the NFL, and baseball is reaping the benefits.
The NFL was, until recently, a uniting cultural institution for this country. It was one of the few things that Americans of almost any background and political affiliation could bond over and enjoy.
But the league has made a number of self-inflicted missteps that have failed to ease the worries of those who think the sport is too dangerous and have alienated the game’s most fervent supporters.
Whether intentionally or not, baseball has stepped up at the right time.
Two years of fantastic World Series games certainly help, regardless of the ball juicing controversy. Even without the presence of the New York Yankees, there has been a huge amount of interest in the games. Whether it’s seeing which team can break a World Series curse, such as with last year’s Indians-Cubs matchup, or a competitive series between highly talented teams as we have this year, the game is simply fun for dedicated and casual fans. But importantly, the game has mostly avoided the political battles that have embroiled the NFL and the NBA.
One MLB player kneeled for the national anthem, Bruce Maxwell of the Oakland Athletics. But he’s unlikely to be carrying out these protests in a major league uniform any time soon. Since the protest, Maxwell has gone on to accuse a waiter in Alabama for not serving him over politics, an allegation the restaurant vehemently denies, and has gotten himself arrested for allegedly brandishing a firearm at a food delivery person.
It would be wise for the league to put a lid on the controversy now and, as Jon Del Arroz wrote in The Federalist, “keep America’s pastime a fun, family-friendly celebration of American culture for decades to come.”
Sports rise and fall in America. At one time boxing and horse racing were ubiquitous, but they receded as the NFL and other sports took their place.
Now, poor decisions at a time when the sport is literally under the microscope have opened the door for something else to take its place. Americans badly need something they can still rally around.
Back to back phenomenal World Series matchups have opened the door for a sport as American as apple pie to reassert itself and become something that unites the country once again.
Baseball has an amazing opportunity to step into the void, if it doesn’t blow it.
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