What They're Saying: Megan Rapinoe
- by Soccer America , Sep 19, 2016
-- Megan Rapinoe on the mixed reaction she has received from fans for kneeling during the playing of the national anthem before the USA's last two international matches. Rapinoe was booed when she came on the second half of the USA's 3-1 win over the Netherlands in Atlanta. Before the game, U.S. co-captain Carli Lloyd admitted in a pre-game interview with FS1 that the controversy surrounding Rapinoe's protest has been a "distraction." (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
If Megan Rapinoe, or any other player, wants to protest the National Anthem while playing for their club team, thay have the right to do so. In this case, however, where one is representing the United States, it seems hypocritical to be protesting the anthem. The proper (and more courageous) protest would be to resign your position on the team.
Were she to kneel during the opponent's anthem there's justification to book her for unsporting behavior. The same should apply to dishonoring her own team.
Yellow cards for kneelers in international matches.
It's all about her and how she feels. And it shouldn't be. Thomas and James' comments are on the right track. For the love of sport, let's keep our PERSONAL opinions out of the game.
If you can't be proud of the ideals that the flag of our country represents and aspires to, then show you really respect diversity by recognizing that the imperfect freedom we have and that others have died for, remains the reason we show respect.
It's not about you, Megan. Its about showing respect for others which is what embracing diversity is supposed to mean. Especially when you wear our colors. Otherwise, you are a hypocrite. You want from others what you won't do yourself.
All American: read your last sentence! You are correct it has nothing to do with the flag, the anthem, nor our constitution. If she is truly concerned then why not do something constructive! Unfortunately the only thing she is making us aware of is that she is grandstanding and being an unoriginal copycat!
She stands for Thailand's anthem - a country that is far more oppressive... http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2016/09/16/megan-rapinoe-stands-for-thailand-anthem-after-kneeling-for-star-spangled-banner/ like the hypocrisy of the NBA who will move things out of NC because NC wants men to use a men's room and women to use a women's room, but will host games in China, a country with a terrible human right's record. and like Hillary, who should be in jail, who pretends to be for women's rights and gay rights, but will take millions and millions from countries that give them no rights and throws gays off of building tops. Good to see Miami police will not escort the Dolphin players until they all start to stand.
This Cmt is directed to All-American--When Megan (or any member of a National TEAM) takes the pitch wearing the National Jersey she IS NOT an individual! She is IN THE TEAM. Her only interest and FOCUS should be within the TEAMS mind set/match plan. She is acting like an individual and that is selfish! She is a poor teammate and if Jill or the USSF had any guts she would permanently dismissed from having to represent this terrible country. When she entered the match, I changed channels, Megan, Jill and the USSF are all a DISGRACE to international soccer and our Republic!
YES, All-American--everything you mentioned in your second reply are (I agree) a disgrace and should be protested against. Megan is NOT on a political team, nor a debate team, or a civil/human rights team,......she's on a National Soccer Team which doesn't seem to be a any importance to her. I am a (bleed blue & orange) U FL Gator fan. A very good example of what I'm talking about is this---After the UF men's Ball team won their second Natl Championship (or in between the two in a row) they were scheduled to make a trip to the White House. One of their tremendous players Jokim Noah wanted NOTHING to do with Pres Bush or his administration....but he went with the team for one reason because he knew how it would affect his teammates, coaches and UF if he if didn't go in protest. He did WHAT WAS RIGHT as a TEAM MEMBER, he did what was best for the TEAM. Did he find all other kind of ways to show his disagreement with Bush and his administration, you bet he did But he did what he did to HONOR his team and to HONOR his commitment to his TEAM. Now do you/can you understand the difference? If I were a member on the WNT I would never fully trust Megan again to ALWAYS act in the best interest of the TEAM!
AA--I'm not talking about protest/ing, you are! I'm talking about proper behavior as a member of a TEAM. Megan has decided that protesting this issue is MORE IMPORTANT that being a good teammate. That's her right (I have no problem what-so-ever with it)....when/if a fire-fighter show up a fire I don't want him/her protesting human rights violations in Egypt, I want them fighting the damn fire! In her case the moment she pulls the WNT jersey over her head she (and every other member in the team) must be 100% focused/committed doing their part as a link in the chain that is THE TEAM, absolutely NO ROOM for any individual (BS) anything!
I have to admit that I changed the channel too. She has the platform to deliver whatever she wants and I will protect her right to do so but, I believe it is in bad taste. She had to become the story on Heather O'Reilly's retirement game and she was told by the federation and the coach she is expected to stand. Yet, she is still put in the match. Why?
Because the coaching staff & the USSF are (politically correct) COWARDS!
While I whole heartedly respect Megan Rapinoe's right to kneel during the national anthem, I don't really feel that insulting a US custom (Intentionally or unintentionally) is really the best method to get your message across.
I guess I have to respect her conviction to her cause - because she could potentially lose her job and she will most definitely lose a huge chunk of her fan base.
I just have to wonder if there was a better way to champion her cause without having to potentially blow herself up in the process.
Will she look back at this 5, 10, 20 years from now and feel proud of this?
Interesting observation posted about Jerry Jones in Dallas:
Jerry Jones went into the locker room before the Cowboys Giants game yesterday. He looked around at all the young men and addressed them as a group. “Regardless of your personal opinions, this is a sacred day that we recognize the sacrifice and pain that so many have endured. When the National Anthem is played by a lone trumpet player in a few minutes you WILL stand and you WILL put your hand over your hearts.”
Jerry waited a second and made eye contact with several players to make sure his words had sunk in. He knew he had there undivided attention and proceeded. “You gentlemen are world class athletes, but you are also actors. You perform on a stage that is 100 yards long. Today, you play the role of a patriotic super hero. You will play this role well because you know that millions of children will be watching and looking at your example.”
Then his inner fire started to shine through as he said quietly “but most of all I want you to remember, you are the actors, but this is MY stage and you will play the role I tell you to.”