📡 Tuscaloosa News: EDITORIAL: Crimson Tide’s visit to the White House should not be politicized

[JoshB]

Hmm.

You must be a libertarian and not the leftist you usually project here.

I have libertarian views on certain things. Unlike some, I dont have to be side with one particular side on every view...

No one had an issue when Michael Jordan decided he didn't feel like visiting Bill Clinton. No one cared when Tom Brady spent time with his family instead of hanging out with Obama. No one cared when Larry Bird skipped the invite and even made the comment of "the president wants to see me then he knows where to find me." No one cared when James Harrison skipped trips to see both Baby Bush and Obama because he "didn't see the need."

Suddenly now its this big thing. People are saying they're all "thugs" or disrespectful if they dont go on one side. The other side says IF they go they're supporting Trump's tweets or actions. It's stupid. These are kids, let them be.

 

[TUSKtimes]

I have libertarian views on certain things. Unlike some, I dont have to be side with one particular side on every view...

No one had an issue when Michael Jordan decided he didn't feel like visiting Bill Clinton. No one cared when Tom Brady spent time with his family instead of hanging out with Obama. No one cared when Larry Bird skipped the invite and even made the comment of "the president wants to see me then he knows where to find me." No one cared when James Harrison skipped trips to see both Baby Bush and Obama because he "didn't see the need."

Suddenly now its this big thing. People are saying they're all "thugs" or disrespectful if they dont go on one side. The other side says IF they go they're supporting Trump's tweets or actions. It's stupid. These are kids, let them be.

If we don't go as a team we'll know what's up. This individual's not going theme your on doesn't upset me in the least. If they pull a North Carolina, regardless of how they frame it, it won't be that difficult to read the tea leaves.

 

[JoshB]

If we don't go as a team we'll know what's up. This individual's not going theme your on doesn't upset me in the least. If they pull a North Carolina, regardless of how they frame it, it won't be that difficult to read the tea leaves.

Well, No. 1 if Saban gave the team the option of going or staying and the team decided not to go then fine. Knowing Saban I'm sure he's simply going to give the players the choice, those that want to go then come on and those that don't that's fine too. Which is how it should be.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Well, No. 1 if Saban gave the team the option of going or staying and the team decided not to go then fine. Knowing Saban I'm sure he's simply going to give the players the choice, those that want to go then come on and those that don't that's fine too. Which is how it should be.

The entire team? Then they just pulled a North Carolina, even with Roy Williams assuring us that it was just a scheduling snafu. But I still enjoyed your scenario, it almost felt like you were grasping for the middle ground there.

 

[ComeOnSon]

Well, No. 1 if Saban gave the team the option of going or staying and the team decided not to go then fine. Knowing Saban I'm sure he's simply going to give the players the choice, those that want to go then come on and those that don't that's fine too. Which is how it should be.

Could, probably would, tear the team down some philosophical/political/racial line. Some players have already been active on social media regarding their opinions on Trump. Would be interesting to know if there was a vote on previous trips. I don’t recall hearing of any petitions to boycott the Obama White House or, for that matter, any active players directly or indirectly voicing their thoughts on him in a negative way.
White House trips just need to go away. Who gives a shit if sports teams get recognized by the President.

 

[JoshB]

Could, probably would, tear the team down some philosophical/political/racial line. Some players have already been active on social media regarding their opinions on Trump. Would be interesting to know if there was a vote on previous trips. I don’t recall hearing of any petitions to boycott the Obama White House or, for that matter, any active players directly or indirectly voicing their thoughts on him in a negative way.
White House trips just need to go away. Who gives a shit if sports teams get recognized by the President.

I dont know of any petitions but I have no clue how that matters. Those people doing the petition can make a petition on whatever they want but yes players very clearly spoke out about Obama. One player a few years ago, I dont remember if it was AJ, his brother or someone else, I just remember it being the 2012 team, made some snide comments AT the ceremony with Obama on Twitter and got roasted for it and ended up deleting the tweet and apologizing.

Agree 100% with the "who gives a shit" sentiment, I know I couldn't care less. I do think its cool for the kids/team for those that like that kind of thing or want to do it, though.

 

[Tidestalker]

I dont know of any petitions but I have no clue how that matters. Those people doing the petition can make a petition on whatever they want but yes players very clearly spoke out about Obama. One player a few years ago, I dont remember if it was AJ, his brother or someone else, I just remember it being the 2012 team, made some snide comments AT the ceremony with Obama on Twitter and got roasted for it and ended up deleting the tweet and apologizing.

Agree 100% with the "who gives a shit" sentiment, I know I couldn't care less. I do think its cool for the kids/team for those that like that kind of thing or want to do it, though.

As much as I like the anthem, I personally don't really understand why it's a staple of the pre game ceremonies... Again, I'd prefer to do it... But think it may be better off going away before a sporting event that has no meaningful impact when it ends.

I mean, you don't go to a big concert and sing the SSB before hand... Or A high school band concert... At your kids play.... Or anywhere else for that matter really... Why sports?

In regard to the White House visit... I think it's a super cool opportunity for the kids, and adults, if they chose to attend. So much historical value involved. However... Do we really need to put sports starts on an even higher pedestal? They're tackling each other and throwing oblong footballs... Not curing cancer or saving freedom. Let's keep things in perspective. Would rather see true hero's get their day at the White house. JMO

 

[footballer]

I don't give a flip what pro players do or don't do. College players go to school to learn, they play football to learn. I look at this as a road trip, a side trip, an opportunity to learn about our country's history. In my view, it would seem petty not to go. I don't know if CNS will or not, but I believe he should make it a mandatory road trip for all players and coaches, barring sickness.

 

[OldPlayer]

In my opinion, the team will go as a team. Saban cannot control those that are finished with college athletics and they will have the option. For any player that has an issue with the visit, Saban will speak to them and explain what it means. It doesn't mean that you support Trump. It doesn't mean you support any Trump or Republican platforms. It means that you are a member of the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide and you will represent that team to the best of your ability.

There will be no side conversations with the President. The meet-and-greet is very scripted and won't have much room for freestyling.

If a player really has an issue with the visit, Saban won't force a player to go. But, he will make a mental note of the player's refusal.

 

[JoshB]

As much as I like the anthem, I personally don't really understand why it's a staple of the pre game ceremonies... Again, I'd prefer to do it... But think it may be better off going away before a sporting event that has no meaningful impact when it ends.

I mean, you don't go to a big concert and sing the SSB before hand... Or A high school band concert... At your kids play.... Or anywhere else for that matter really... Why sports?

In regard to the White House visit... I think it's a super cool opportunity for the kids, and adults, if they chose to attend. So much historical value involved. However... Do we really need to put sports starts on an even higher pedestal? They're tackling each other and throwing oblong footballs... Not curing cancer or saving freedom. Let's keep things in perspective. Would rather see true hero's get their day at the White house. JMO

It mainly got started with World War I when pretty much everything was wrapped in the flag and patriotism for obvious reasons and became a tradition.

From the archives: History of national anthem in sports

I dont see why pro football doesn't just do what high school and college does, play it before they even come out of the tunnel.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Saying you don't want to go the white house, whether its because you think the president is a POS or just you simply dont want to go, is not "disrespect." I have no clue why everyone now adays feels they have the right to tell someone else what they should or shouldn't do, speak or think.

Quite frankly...i dont give a damn ( and i wonder how many people really know what a damn is anyway).... if they chose not to go when obama was the elected official...they would have been called a racist..
And chosing either...is disrespect...period...
But, hey, ur 18-21 and have the right to choose...welcome to America...
Go for it

 

[OldPlayer]

It mainly got started with World War I when pretty much everything was wrapped in the flag and patriotism for obvious reasons and became a tradition.

From the archives: History of national anthem in sports

I dont see why pro football doesn't just do what high school and college does, play it before they even come out of the tunnel.

At this point, it's damned if they do, damned if they don't. Playing the anthem with players on the field is a big PR boost for the NFL. Flyovers, a big flag held by service members, some known star or up-and-comer singing all project a positive image for the team and league. Now, if they eliminate players being on the field for the anthem, it's easy to see why and the media and fans, especially veterans, will tear into them. The quickest solution is for the NFL to have an anthem policy. I don't think they'll have the guts to do it.

 

[planomateo]

Fairly confident every high school game I've been to the last 4 years it's played with players on the sidelines.

 

[ComeOnSon]

I dont know of any petitions but I have no clue how that matters. Those people doing the petition can make a petition on whatever they want but yes players very clearly spoke out about Obama. One player a few years ago, I dont remember if it was AJ, his brother or someone else, I just remember it being the 2012 team, made some snide comments AT the ceremony with Obama on Twitter and got roasted for it and ended up deleting the tweet and apologizing.

Agree 100% with the "who gives a shit" sentiment, I know I couldn't care less. I do think its cool for the kids/team for those that like that kind of thing or want to do it, though.

It matters, in my opinion, because the group that’s pressing this one was all for a visit when Obama was in office and the sad truth is had anyone balked they would have been called a racist. An inconvenient truth but a truth nonetheless, and now if one of these guy opts out he’ll be a hero or villain based on someone’s side of the fence. Ridiculous. Just do away with it.
I take your word on the player opinion issue during the Obama visits. I just don’t recall hearing about it.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

So Kentucky identifies as a football national champion...

At this point, it's damned if they do, damned if they don't. Playing the anthem with players on the field is a big PR boost for the NFL. Flyovers, a big flag held by service members, some known star or up-and-comer singing all project a positive image for the team and league. Now, if they eliminate players being on the field for the anthem, it's easy to see why and the media and fans, especially veterans, will tear into them. The quickest solution is for the NFL to have an anthem policy. I don't think they'll have the guts to do it.

No the nfl will not have such...period
Keep em in locker room. Take away there stage. Make em go elsewhere and nobody will give a shit and and they will be broadcasting on am radio. Where nobody cares

 

[TidertillIdie]

When I was in the USMC I had the honor in meeting the POTUS, I did not agree with his agenda or his view but I respected the office, saluted and moved on. It is the office you respect, not the person in it. Put your big boy pants on, go visit and move on.

 

[JoshB]

It matters, in my opinion, because the group that’s pressing this one was all for a visit when Obama was in office and the sad truth is had anyone balked they would have been called a racist. An inconvenient truth but a truth nonetheless, and now if one of these guy opts out he’ll be a hero or villain based on someone’s side of the fence. Ridiculous. Just do away with it.
I take your word on the player opinion issue during the Obama visits. I just don’t recall hearing about it.

Really? Why was Tom Brady never called a racist or any other that skipped an Obama visit?

 

[JoshB]

Fairly confident every high school game I've been to the last 4 years it's played with players on the sidelines.

That might be a Texas thing, then because I have in my entire life never been to a high school game in the state of Alabama that had the players on the sideline for the national anthem. Not once. I have played in, been to and covered literally thousands of high school games.

 

[JoshB]

Quite frankly...i dont give a damn ( and i wonder how many people really know what a damn is anyway).... if they chose not to go when obama was the elected official...they would have been called a racist..
And chosing either...is disrespect...period...
But, hey, ur 18-21 and have the right to choose...welcome to America...
Go for it

This argument again... good lord. No they wouldn't have. No why I know that? Because players did skip the Obama office, it's been said like 10 times in this thread by now and not a single one of them was called a racist. NO ONE CARED.

And ya know what, I was really going to leave this out of this discussion because its just gonna start ish but I'm really getting tired of the "it disrespects the office" crap. Why did none of the people whining about that now, say a thing the previous eight years? People want to call the dems that sat for the State of the Union "treasonous" and "unAmerican" but didn't care when Republicans did that from 2009-2016. Didn't care when senators screamed "LIAR!" at him during a speech. Didn't care when Fox News called a fist bump between he and his wife a "terrorist fist jab." Now, suddenly we are supposed to "respect the office", no matter who is in it. Wonder why I never saw any of you saying that before? Hmmmm....

 

[50+yeartidefan]

This argument again... good lord. No they wouldn't have. No why I know that? Because players did skip the Obama office, it's been said like 10 times in this thread by now and not a single one of them was called a racist. NO ONE CARED.

And ya know what, I was really going to leave this out of this discussion because its just gonna start ish but I'm really getting tired of the "it disrespects the office" crap. Why did none of the people whining about that now, say a thing the previous eight years? People want to call the dems that sat for the State of the Union "treasonous" and "unAmerican" but didn't care when Republicans did that from 2009-2016. Didn't care when senators screamed "LIAR!" at him during a speech. Didn't care when Fox News called a fist bump between he and his wife a "terrorist fist jab." Now, suddenly we are supposed to "respect the office", no matter who is in it. Wonder why I never saw any of you saying that before? Hmmmm....

It is disrespectful regardless u does it.....period
Maybe way we were raised...the difference in opinion....maybe our differences in eras.....I'll take mine anyday...
But...back to Bama football stuff...for me anyway...