Upset With Some Fans

[teamchemistry15]

I'll go ahead and apologize for two things:

1) Ranting 2) Ranting about something I'm happy to say I haven't seen on here.

So, the kids decided to take a knee during the national anthem. Now there's fans all over the internet claiming they'll never watch them again, saying Cal needs to go for letting them, hoping they lose, and a whole list of things in between. There's clearly some social issues going on in our country today. No matter your beliefs on what's happening, there's one thing that I can say for certain: As a white man, I cannot understand or comprehend some of the feelings, emotions, and experiences our players have had growing up as black kids. It's easy for me to say things but the fact of the matter is that it's impossible for me to walk a mile in their shoes. What I saw last night was our team decide to do something together that they felt would make a statement. Do I agree with it? Absolutely not. I served our country, was injured overseas, had friends get injured and lose their lives, and I completely understand I did that to help them keep their right to do so. People seem to have forgotten that just because someone has a different opinion than yours, it doesn't mean that it's wrong. People criticized our football team for walking out of practice and now they're criticizing our basketball team for kneeling. That's the purest example of a peaceful protest and it's what makes America great. Some fans need a reality check. If the team wants to make a statement or impact I wish they would use their platform in other ways than kneeling, but that's not my decision to make. We don't get to tell people how they can exercise their rights. Some of us fans have lost touch with the fact we are watching teenagers play a game. They don't care if you never watch them again. But, guess what? You will. Just like you're still watching the NFL. Hopefully we can all make an attempt to open our eyes and see things from a different point of view so we can respectfully support our kids the rest of the season and beyond.

[Joneslab]

I didn't get to see too much about it and actually didn't know they even did it until I saw some things after the game, but I believe it was mostly a response to what happened in Washington this past week.

I don't disagree or agree. It's not my life and these players aren't my sons. My actual son has said that if his high school basketball coach knelt and they did it as a team, he would do it. If it were just one or two kids kneeling on their own, then he would not. I respect that.

[Blue Heaven]

I don't really agree or disagree either. The only thing I know is that I ditched politics since before the election. I am DONE with it all and I feel a ton better for doing so. Just gonna go about my life being the best ME I can be. Just being friendly with everyone and considerate like I always have.

[Joneslab]

Matt Jones made the point on Twitter that most fans didn't really care but the fans that do care care a lot.

[40bill]

Matt Jones made the point on Twitter that most fans didn't really care but the fans that do care care a lot.

I agree. I think most of the country is over the initial reaction. And agreed there is a hard line in others.

We all make choices. Taking a knee for a cause is as peaceful as any could do. As long as it doesnt disrespect those that dont, I dont think there should be an issue.

[Catsrock]

Back when Kaepernick started it I thought it was horribly disrespectful to the flag and more importantly the soldiers who have fought for our freedom. But just as I don’t allow anyone else to decide what I mean when I make a statement I’ve grown to accept that it’s not up to me to decide what protesters are saying when they protest. Many of these individuals have stated they are not disrespecting the flag or the military but they just want to make a point this country has problems that can and should be addressed. I love America but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be better.

Bottom line—I’ll never kneel for the anthem but I won’t hate those that do. And I watch sports for enjoyment and a break from the trevails of life. But athletes using their platform to make a statement will not keep me from watching. But tc15 I will say that I know long time NFL fans that absolutely are not watching now. That’s their prerogative. We had a WCN poster who opted out of UK sports last night and bid fairwell in the game thread. Hate to see him go but I respect that point of view as well. I’m trying to go with the changing times and accept that each individual has to determine where they stand. I do not believe that most of those who kneel hate America. Now those who do—I hope they leave rather than incite violence.

God bless America and our troops!

[Lighthouse]

I completely support any persons right to protest peacefully, but doing so during our National Anthem is not the right spot in a pre-game to do so. This is my opinion and I stand by it. When would be a good time? Maybe during the time fans pay a respectful time of silence for someone who passed. I bet if a request was made like that, most folks would join in and kneel. This would support unity, not division.

[Joneslab]

The sad truth is that many Americans don't support unity.

Most do. The loudest and most aggressive do not, and as we all know the loudest voices in the room control the situation.

I've personally spoken with many people in my 40+ years who do not think racial inequality is even a thing. They definitely don't think it's worth protesting over, and if you do protest then you're going to get hit with a lot of anger.

I have posted on this board over the years what I have witnessed from some friends, family members, neighbors, etc. Most people I know have never expressed a racist thought to me. But I know quite a few white people--almost all men--who have. These are the people who would not support unity because they wouldn't think there are any problems in the first place.

[Matt Dillon]

I guess I may as well put my two cents worth in. My personal opinion is that kneeling during the National Anthem is wrong. To me, that shows a lack of respect for the men and women who served (many paid the ultimate price) in the armed forces and for this nation as well. A nation where some of these same players will be millionaires this time next year. As Lighthouse said, why not observe a few seconds silence between the end of the Anthem and the beginning of the game. Or better yet, if they're so sold on what they're doing perhaps they should just walk off the court and not play the game.

[KCKUKFan]

As long as they're protesting peacefully, I dont care where and when they do it. All power to them.

[Catsrock]

It seems the younger the individual the more willing to accept a break from tradition. That’s probably OK as long as we never lose the respect for and honor those who got us here.

[SCBlu]

I was deeply disappointed on several levels after learning that our basketball team knelt during the National Anthem. Generally disappointed in the players because there were other "protest" options available to effectively vent their concerns. VERY disappointed with our head coach who should have found some common ground which would have appeased our team members without alienating a substantial portion of our fan base, and denigrating our Flag and National Anthem.
I'm certainly not "done with" UK because I'm an alum; have closely followed football & basketball since 1963; and love my University. I'am, however, done with Coach Cal because he has failed to "coach up" our team members on an issue that supersedes anything happening on the floor.

[Matt Dillon]

I was deeply disappointed on several levels after learning that our basketball team knelt during the National Anthem. Generally disappointed in the players because there were other "protest" options available to effectively vent their concerns. VERY disappointed with our head coach who should have found some common ground which would have appeased our team members without alienating a substantial portion of our fan base, and denigrating our Flag and National Anthem.
I'm certainly not "done with" UK because I'm an alum; have closely followed football & basketball since 1963; and love my University. I'am, however, done with Coach Cal because he has failed to "coach up" our team members on an issue that supersedes anything happening on the floor.

I don't think Cal is too concerned about alienating the fanbase.

[Joneslab]

You might alienate the fanbase but this is an area that will likely be popular among a different base: the players’ families.

[Joneslab]

And let’s be honest, there have been a lot of things in Kentucky’s past that have alienated the fanbase. It obviously wasn’t popular when Rupp decided to recruit the first black player. Rex Chapman has talked about how much grief he got because of his black girlfriend.

The UK fanbase is great, but it ain’t always on the right side of history.