Category Archives: Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles Fumbled The NFL Ratings Ball….by, Michael Hawke

05 Tuesday Jun 2018

Posted by in Political Science, Sports

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President Trump often says….”we will see what happens”… when asked about how things will work out on any particular issue. We now know what will happen regarding the NFL ratings. They will continue to plumet to the point that they will lose many fans for good. I, for one, am gone this season. I watched college football last season and will do the same this year. The NFL’s rich spoiled players killed it for me.

The Philadelphia Eagles informed the White House they will not be bringing the entire team to the traditional White House Recognition of the Super Bowl Champions. Then they requested the event be rescheduled during the week that President Trump will be out of the country attending the Korean Peace Summit in Singapore. The Eagles stated over 1000 fans have already planned to attend the coming Friday event, but while most of the players would be in Washington that weekend, only a handful of would come to the White House celebration honoring them as Super Bowl victors. President Trump decided since the majority of the players would not be coming they would hold a Patriotic performance for the fans and those in attendance. The Marine Band and others groups would perform, honoring our military and our country.

Facts on team victory visits missing… The champions of the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the NBA have traditionaly been honored by Presidents at the White House for many years. It is a tradition that says we are one, we celebrate our best atheletes and their great accomplishment. It has always been a postive event.

Players standing for the National Anthem to start the game also has always symolized a unity of our best and the tremendous positive impact sports has on our nation and on our youth in particular. It brings us together no matter our pollitical, economic, or social differences. Taking a knee during the anthem distracts from this positive and unifying moment prior to the start of the game.

The NFL players fail to understand they are not in sync with most of the fans… The players are now running things in the NFL. It is clear that a small number of players and owners are thumbing their very rich noses at the facts about the knee taking and stepping up the ante. Lets be perfectly honest… the fans, who are offended by these so called ” it’s not about the anthem” knee takers, do not buy these acts of kneeling are about respect for free speach and protection of those abused by police.

To the players I say get your heads on straight. The common fan knows an idiotic statement when they hear it….and your free speech claims are pure idiocy. Fans know players can stand for the anthem at the start of the game and do their issue statements in other venues. Otherwise, the knee taking is about the anthem and only about the anthem. It offends those who respect and love our country with all of its great strengths and….yes flaws. People are not dumb, fans are not dumb, but you players, who are mostly all college educated and making millions…must certainly be dumb!

Recent NFL rules changes are too little too late: Would “pathetic” be the correct descriptive word for the NFL trying to stop the ratings cliff fall….well, there are better words but not suitable for print here in this piece…so yes,“pathetic” ! The NFL has stated their new rules will require players who wish to kneel during the anthem to remain in the locker room until after the playing of it. If players who choose to be on the field kneel there will be punishments and fines to both the players and the teams.

Several owners have already declared they will not fine players for exercising “free speech” and they will also pay any NFL fines the players incur. Well it sounds like the NFL fixed this problem, eh? Idiots all. Free speech is not the issue here. Last I checked…if a company has a training event the sales staff must attend and some decide to take a knee about the police shooting issue during the training, they suffer consequences….likely they get the boot.  This is about rules, following rules, doing what your boss or company tells you and being part of the big picture…so simple. If a player kneels during the anthem before the game and tells me he was praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary and not protesting the flag and all it represents, all I think is he thinks I am a dummy. Fans are not dummies…they get it.

The NFL’s last chance….and best move: When it comes to representing a team, and a so called non-profit (a topic for a later piece) like the National Football League, players are a mere cog in the wheel. They do not have free speech rights when it comes to doing what they are paid to do for their employer on game day. The NFL players make up less than 10% of the college players who finish college each year desperatly hoping for an NFL chance. The NFL choice to save their product and their billions of profits is to fire the players who do not follow the rules. There are 100 guys waiting in line for that knee taker’s job and given the chance many would end up being better than the guy they fired. Fans do not revere these players, they used to, but they don’t any more.  The average fan attends games or watches on TV to support his or her team. It is a recreation thing, an escape from the every day grind of work. There are other things these fans can do on game day….and most take way less time and money than watching an NFL game.

To the Commissoner and the very rich owners… May I remind you it is not 1980, 1990, or even 2010? Times have changed and people have many choices to spend both their time and money on when it comes to recreation. The major league sports teams no longer have a corner on the fan’s money and time. Play it smart boys, start acting like the businessmen and women you are. No player should be permitted to hijack your profits and success over a personal protest during the National Anthem on game day, especially when it attacks the values and traditions most all of us treasure and love.  The fans simply won’t “buy” it. 

 

 

The NFL Today…….by, Michael Hawke

07 Thursday Dec 2017

Posted by in Sports

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NFL: The NFL has claimed they are only down a small amount in fan attendance at games. They brush over the more telling sinking TV numbers. Flags, flags, flags….there are so many flags flying on so many plays that long passes are not thrown for the catch, but rather to draw the flag. Boring…did I say boring?

Roger Goodell Lottery Win: He just got a 5 year contract for over $3million a year plus incentives that include expenses, and the use of a company jet….could total over $50 million dollars a year. Not bad for a guy who sided with the knee takers early on when he could have been decisive and prevented this mess. Like I said, lucky dude.

Tim Tebow: Speaking of “knee takers”…I could think of more than six NFL teams that would benefit by having his toughness and winning attitude behind center. Can he throw better than most? Nope, but look at those taking snaps today…not much better, and they are losers. Tebow is a proven winner, and winning is the only stat that really matters. Did I say Tebow would help sinking ratings?  If I were the Cleveland Browns I would sign Tim Tebow in the off season as a back up. The guy will fill the stands home and away. I bet he stands for the National Anthem too.

Dumb…End Zone Skits: The end zone skits are ridiculous. If the NFL thinks this will encourage people to watch, holy smokes….what are they smoking? These things are high school level at best, more like Junior High level to be fair. These are attempts by Roger Goodell to be consistent about allowing knee takers during the anthem. How can he say that is their “free speech rights” and then say no end zone celebrations. And for this he gets $50 million a year. Jerry was right!

 

The Marshawn Lynch Mexico Stadium Protest….by, Michael Hawke

21 Tuesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Character, Sports, Uncategorized

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Forbidden Pictures…in the NFL: North Korea censors pictures and stories of the terrible living conditions their people suffer under. This is just what we see in the pre-game NFL sports shows by the talking-heads. These guys are going out of their way to make sure images of positive support to the anthem, the military, and the flag are seen by viewers….but you will not see a picture of Marshawn Lynch sitting during the Anthem in the Mexico City game. The NFL does not want to discuss it, show it, and no longer defends it. They just won’t stop it.

Mexico: The temptation is to call this guy an uneducated idiot, but I will be more clear. Generalizations never help one understand problems. And this is a problem worth understanding…..and fixing. Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Raiders running back, sat down for the American National Anthem during the game against the Patriots in Azteca stadium (Estadio Azteca) and he stood up, giving full respect, during the Mexican National Anthem. If Marshawn was sitting to protest police abuse, racism, and overall injustice in America he sure should have stayed on his spoiled butt during the Mexican Anthem too. Justice is not to be found in Mexico for the poor, indigenous, and minorities. If he really believes things are bad in America….then he needs to factor 100 times worse in Mexico. Lets not even talk about their murder rate, kidnappings, and disappearances.

The Truth About Marshawn: His sitting for the American National Anthem and then standing for the Mexican Anthem outed him. He is not sitting for justice and fairness. He is sitting for himself. He seeks attention, pampering, and special privilege. If only there were just one NFL owner who had the kahoonas to say….enough. I frankly do not see the need for even average size kahoonas here.  If one owns the team it is easy, knowing the business reality that Marshawn Lynch is replaceable…. as is every other NFL player in the league. Simple deal Mr. NFL owner, make him stop it. You certainly know there are  hundreds who can run, pass, kick, block and tackle that would step in and do the job. The fans would be just as happy, and the team would have less “distraction”. Might be good for winning, eh?  Why suffer fools if it is an owners market.  Is it so hard to sit these guys down? Personally the words “you’re fired” would be what I would do. By the way….. it is really bad for your business.

The Message to Kids: The young people today are growing up in a world where there is great confusion. They do not know the rules anymore about anything. Sports has always been a place where there are rules, predictability, and structure. The kids are equal and can be sure hard work, dedication, and skill will get one ahead. Today we now are witnessing kids in high school kneeling during the National Anthem, modeling their heroes, knuckle-heads like Marshawn Lynch. I think it would be nice if the NFL owners would begin to act like the adults in the room and give young kids the security of knowing that there are rules in football, just as in life, and if you break them you sit….. consequences…. you know?  No need to fire these prima donnas. Sit them down, make them warm the bench….and next year do not bring them back.

Freedom to Protest: Marshawn Lynch can protest injustices, racism, police abuses, or anything he chooses all day long in America. He has the right to do this and he does have the platform. It is perfectly clear he can hold a weekly press conference and discuss his concerns and the media would be present in droves. So why sit during the National Anthem? Is it to send a message to fans, young and old, how unjust our country is? Is it to show how much courage you have by standing up to the NFL, the owners,….why even to the President of the United States? Is it because the third stanza of the song, which is not part of present Anthem today, somehow promotes racism?

I Quit the NFL: I used to be a fan of yours Marshawn, and of the NFL. Now I am neither; players like you taking knees, sitting, and linking arms in disrespect did it for me. I watch college ball on Saturdays and my Sundays are free. I kind of have always loved my football as an form of “entertainment”. If I want politics I watch CNN, FOX, or the networks. Thanks for the memories.

 

NFL Mexico City Game-Big Dilemma For Knee Takers….. by, Michael Hawke

31 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Sports

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The NFL scheduled three regular season games outside of the United States this season. Two of the three games are in the books, both having been played in London, the third is coming November 19, in Mexico City. The NFL owners and Commissioner Roger Goodell see these international, regular season, games as a way to promote and grow international fans and increase revenues.

Ironically the NFL is seeing their US fan base decrease in larger percentages each week due to the many NFL players taking a knee during our National Anthem. The players claim they are protesting against social and racial injustice toward minorities by police and others.

Many NFL fans are patriotic and watch NFL football to get away from the stresses of real life and the weekly grind of work. Fans watch to relax, enjoy, be entertained, and to feel the competition of the game while rooting for their team to win.  No fan wants to sit down on Sunday watching their team play knowing half or more of the players on the field started the game by disrespecting the National Anthem.

This creates “serious angst” for many fans and is causing them do something else….as shown by the growing numbers just tuning out the NFL. For the average fan it is hard to keep watching million dollar athletes disrespect the flag every week when they are grindiing it out paycheck to paycheck, knowing, in their work place, there is no knee taking allowed…. none, nada, zip!

So….”the NFL is not the only game in town”.

The obvious question is why these knee takers feel their protests must happen during the National Anthem. These are million dollar athletes! They can have a platform with microphones, cameras, and the media hanging on their every word, any time or place they choose. They could be making  a “positive impact” on these social issues.

Instead, they choose to disrespect our nation, our military men and women, our veterans, our anthem, our flag, and all those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms by kneeling during our National Anthem.  Not only do they disrespect….. they send a very wrong message to youth, to fans, and to other nations, that America is so bad, so unjust, and so racist that they must protest during their own National Anthem.

Rocky Bleir, former Vietnam wounded war hero, seven season Pittsburg Steeler half back, four time Super Bowl champion, put it best; this is a mess created by Roger Goodell and the owners. It is not about free speech in the work place. The players are harming the profitability of their company, the NFL.  No worker could do the same thing at their place of work and not lose his or her job.

The London, England Games:

  • Wembley Stadium, London England; September 23, 2017
  • Jacksonville Jaguars 44 – Baltimore Ravens 7
  • Knee Takers: National Anthem- 2 dozen / British Anthem “God Save the Queen” – 0
  • Wembley Stadium, London England; October 1, 2017
  • New Orleans Saints 20 – Miami Dolphins 0
  • Knee Takers: During our Anthem aprox. 5 / British Anthem “God Save the Queen”- 0 note: the entire Saints team stood and locked arms for unity prior to our anthem.

The Mexico City Game-The Perfect Storm: The Mexico City NFL game in Azteca Stadium between the Raiders and the Patriots should pose a problem for the players who claim to be taking a knee to promote social and racial justice in America where, by their view, things are pretty bad.

There could be no two teams more suited for the “perfect knee taking storm” than the Raiders and the Patriots. There is no doubt the knee takers will see it as an opportunity to “put it in the faces” of the anthem supporters, President Trump, patriotic Americans, by taking a knee of disrespect during our National Anthem…..and then…. standing during the “Himno Nacional Mexicano” (the Mexican National Anthem), as a show of their respect for Mexico and the Mexican people.

Their Big Dilema: There is no better place to show protest toward political corruption, social prejudice, racism, and police abuse than in Mexico City.  Mexico is a two tiered society made up of the rich and poor. There is however a hidden third class, the indigenous peoples, who have suffered open prejudice, abuse, and political exclusion since Mexico’s independence from Spain. Today the indigenous peoples of Mexico live in abject poverty.  State racism condemns the indigenous people of Mexico to prison and poverty.

“Discrimination and racism permeate the state, institutions, and society when native peoples are perceived as needy, lazy, lacking, and impotent. Stereotypes continue to exclude indigenous people from developing policy to address their rights”. Laticia Aparacio Sorrono, Octobre 27, 2015

To NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the owners, and the knee takers: Here is your veracity test. Are you really all about “free speech” and the courage to say and do what is needed to bring attention to social and political wrongs?

Compared to the problems in our country these things are a thousand times worse in Mexico. Do you believe knee taking during a National Anthem is the best way to draw attention to these social evils?  If so, I challenge you to take a knee during the playing of “Himno Nacional Mexicano.  Show the same disrespect toward the national pride of the people of Mexico as you do toward that of your own fellow citizens and fans back home.

Michael Hawke

 

 

 

The Daily Mix……by, Michael Hawke

27 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by in Political Science, Spiritual, Sports, Uncategorized

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Tom Steyer: Most people have never heard of him….. He is running “Impeach Trump” adds on TV. The adds cost in the 7 figure a minute range. He claims they are not funded by Nextgen, but rather being paid from personal funds. By his own claims he is spending $10million dollars to promote the impeachment of the President. His bio claims he is an environmentalist, progressive activist, hedge fund manager, and fundraiser….oh, also a philanthropist. Seems like that $10,000,000 could have done a lot for the homeless problem here in California…doubt it will do much to impeach President Trump.

Rocky Belier: Most people have never heard of him….. He is an American hero having volunteered for the Vietnam war. He was an high NFL prospect and went to serve, foregoing the NFL. In Vietnam he had his foot nearly blown off and it was doubtful he would ever play football and maybe even walk again. He is a gritty blue collar guy form the Midwest. He went on not to just walk, but to play halfback seven season for the Pittsburg Steelers.

His recent take on the NFL knee takers crisis: He said it should have been nipped in the bud by Roger Goodell. It is not about free speech. Nothing any of us do at work gives us the right to upset the company rules for our own personal issues. If he were NFL Commissioner it would be stopped. These guys are being paid to play football, it is a business, they are employees. If their actions damage our product they do not stay with the company. He also pointed out the obvious, like these guys cannot make their point in a thousand other ways and places and not like none of these NFL knee takers are irreplaceable. I hope he replaces Roger Goodell.

Ken Burns: Many people have heard of him…. He is an American documentary film maker, the creator of the recent Vietnam War history that ran on TV a few weeks back. It was a docu-series about the history, “according to Burns”, of the Vietnam War.

If you are a left leaning person or a college student you ate it up. Many scenes, quotes, and interviews were either incomplete or lacking truth altogether. It made for good TV though, and also good political brain washing. Too bad Rocky Bleier was not interviewed, or many of the thousands who actually fought in the war. I keep waiting for….”The Real Historical Documentary of the Vietnam War”. I know it is coming.

Dominus Vobiscum: Latin invocation to St. Michael the Archangel for protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. We sure do need this prayer in our personal lives as well as for our nation.

The Daily Mix…….by, Michael Hawke

12 Thursday Oct 2017

Posted by in Motivation, Sports

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NFL Players Union: The NFL Players Union has announced that Jerry Jones threat to bench players for not standing for the Anthem is against their union agreement. I suggest the NFL Players Union take a knee on this effort. They must be aware ratings are slumping….. and will fall fast and far if this continues.

Economics 101: Just want to state what is obvious to me….the NFL players need the fans more than the fans need the NFL players.  I quit the NFL a few weeks back and now I get my football fix watching college football games on Saturday. My Sundays are now free and I do other things. So much better not getting aggravated watching these rich, privileged, players bringing their politics into my living room when all I want to do is relax and watch football.

Jerry Brown’s ” Sanctuary State “: Governor Brown decided he would make the entire state of California a “sanctuary” for illegal immigrants. He has removed ICE  (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) out of all prisons, jails, and other police sites where they have traditionally been located in order to facilitate the deportation of illegal immigrants who have broken the law. Governor Brown says the Federal Government has no authority to manage and enforce the immigration laws of our nation in the state of California. To me he is coming pretty close to declaring independence from the Union.

Governor On Notice: ICE has put California, and the good Governor, on notice that it’s officers will continue their mission of enforcing immigration law and arresting and deporting illegal immigrants. ICE stated since they are not getting cooperation from the state law enforcement agencies they will now be seeking illegal immigrants in their neighborhoods, work places, and homes. ICE officers will send all arrested illegal immigrants out of the state in order to secure them during the deportation process.

Governor Brown has now caused ICE to broaden it’s footprint in the state and when illegal immigrants are detained they will be removed from their families and sent to another state. This is called the law of unintended consequences. Good job Governor Brown, so very compassionate of you.

Race Horses: I recently read about a stallion that was shot while running across a pasture. The shooter was aiming for the rider and hit the horse instead. The horse leapt over a fence clipping it with his back legs as his muscles gave out in mid air. The rider fell off as the horse hit the ground. The horse never quit and in his dying moments lay there on his side moving his legs as if running. This is how we should live our lives…keep on running, keep on doing good, keep on being good.

Tim Tebow: He finished his first professional baseball season with a .226 batting average. He had over 60 RBIs and over ten home runs. Not bad for a guy who has not played baseball in several years. He was moved up two levels in the minor league system and says he will return next year to play in the Mets organization.

Tebow A Distraction: Remember when Tim Tebow was taking a knee after touchdowns and the NFL got upset. He was giving thanks to God. The sports talk shows kept bashing him saying the reason he was not picked up was not just his poor throwing skills but that he was too much of a distraction on the field and in the locker room. I have to laugh at this when I see what a mess they have on their hands now. I bet the NFL  wishes they had Tebow on a team now. It is hard for me to listen to these same sport talk guys echoing the NFL line that the players have free speech rights to take a knee during the National Anthem. Good thing these NFL knee takers are not a distraction…. such utter hypocrisy. To the NFL I can only say karma is a real hurt!

 

 

TheDaily Mix…….by, Michael Hawke

11 Wednesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Political Science, Spiritual, Sports

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Jerry Jones: The Dallas Cowboys owner put some clarity on the NFL players taking a knee. He said the Dallas Cowboy players will stand for the National Anthem or they will sit the bench and not play. This is smart and it should have been done earlier. So many players were torn and pressured. Now an adult has stepped up and made it easy for them. No stand no play. No play no pay…and there you have it. Thank you Mr. Jones for respecting your fans, your country, and our veterans, past and present….even if the pocket book was your motivation.

Senator Bob Corker, R-Tennessee: Senator Corker was re-elected by telling his constituents he would vote to replace Obama Care. Well as we all know he had the chance and he did not come though. This week he has announced he will not run for re-election in 2018 for his Senate seat. He also has gone on the attack against President Trump. It does not take a “high IQ” to understand that  Mr. Corker has begun his Presidential election campaign for 2020. To Bob Corker, and all the other Republican Representatives in Washington, I say do your job…..just do your job. Additionally, to Mr. Corker I suggest you resign and let someone take over who will do the will of the people of Tennessee.

San Diego Homeless Numbers: Official tallies have the homeless numbers in San Diego at 12,000. Unofficial tallies state it is closer to 30,000. With the recent Hepatitis A break out, business and community outrage over the chaos, and the virtual take over of the new downtown library as the homeless community day center…. maybe our Mayor and city leaders are finally waking up? Lets hope and pray they do their jobs…just do their jobs. One more thing on this….if you or I were homeless and had to live on the streets San Diego would be our number one destination. A few years back some cities were caught providing one way tickets to Hawaii for some of their homeless people. I would not doubt they are now bussing their problems our way.

Ensenada Mexico Trip: I spent last weekend in Ensenada, Mexico. Ensenada is about 50 miles South of Tijuana. The toll road is a 10 on a 10 point scale. It is very clean, fast, and safe with views of the Pacific Ocean along the coast that are awe inspiring. I was in Baja doing research for my new book. We stayed at the Coral Hotel and enjoyed a first class experience. Sunday we dined on fresh goat, lamb, and fish at their buffet. A visit to Ensenada is not complete unless you visit Housongs, a famous cantina that offers drinks and a first class mariachi. On the way back we stopped in Puerto Nuevo for lobster dinner, the best on the West coast.

Las Vegas Shooting: Our prayers and thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and loved ones. I know there will be more to this story so I will leave it with the thought that automatic weapons, no matter how they are made to be automatic, should not be legal. The second amendment does not give me the right to buy a shoulder firing heat seeking missile launcher. These auto and semi auto rifles should be classified military weapon types and made illegal. I legally own hand guns, rifles, and shot guns. I use them for sport, recreational hunting, and target shooting. I stay proficient for my personal and family’s security. I do not need to fire a hundred rounds to stay safe and if I do I am certain there will be police and or military help on the way.

Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees: Their playoff series is tied 2-2. I am rooting for the Indians. They had an awesome season and deserve to go to the World Series. I sure hope they do not over think it tomorrow. Go Cleveland! Just do your job boys….just do your job!

Phil Michelson’s Putter: Phil finished 3rd this past weekend!  He is an awesome player and can easily win many more tournaments, and I believe a few more Majors. If I could give him some advice I would tell him his biggest problem is his putter, it should be longer. He is tall, has arthritis issues, and should not be bending over so far to putt. He uses a very short putter which I think takes a toll on him after three rounds so by Sunday he is not able to focus on his putting due to the strain. It is all subconscious mind you, but golf is that way. Phil you need a longer shafted putter! You can thank me after you put on the Green Jacket again next year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Trump’s NFL Comments; “Right On The Mark” …….by, Michael Hawke

25 Monday Sep 2017

Posted by in Political Science, Sports

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I was beginning to feel happy to be done with the NFL this season having let my thoughts on the issue be defined with my recent article, “I Quit the NFL”. I have quite a few other things I want to write about and was feeling good about putting this NFL “take a knee” chaos off my writing plate. I also am realizing, after three weeks of “not watching NFL Sunday football”, that I do not even miss it!

Then the President’s NFL owner comments came out this past week and I am once again dutifully compelled to respond, in the hope of bringing some logic and clarity to what has evolved into nothing less than a complete mess.

Football and politics can never be good together. The absolute bottom line here is that fans watch football to escape real life stresses and pressures. They do not want to watch player protests during our National Anthem at the beginning of the game. If it’s politics they want they tune into Fox News or CNN. The NFL has chosen not only to allow these protests, but to defend them as somehow the players rights, even suggesting the knee takers are social justice heroes….doing the NFL equivalent of the Rosa Parks bus protest.

As a retired Army veteran of 29 plus years, and the son of a WWII Navy War Veteran who served in the Pacific, I have wondered just how long the NFL player protests could continue before the average citizen fan starts getting as upset with these pseudo social warriors as I have been. Well, the dung hit the fan this week, no doubt about it. As for me, and my family, the National Anthem is not about America being “a perfect nation”, rather it is about it being a place where people can strive to make it “a more perfect union”.  The men and women, of all ethnic groups and races, who have fought and died to keep it free are the heroes who deserve our full respect and honor.

This is Roger Goodell’s response to President Trump’s remarks;

“divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities”. USA Today

My response to Roger Goodell’s comment;

” divisive actions like players taking a knee during the National Anthem demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for our Nation, our great diversity, and all of our veterans who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our military soldiers, sailors, marines, and coast guard represent in our communities”.

Commissioner Goodell’s comments ring self serving. We are somehow to equate the players contributions with those sacrifices of our military men and women who have served defending our freedoms and the American way of life.

The NFL that Roger Goodell states deserves such great respect is a tax free, $10 billion dollar a year entity, that has “non profit” status. It also holds cities and communities hostage to build stadiums and provide venues in order to gain, or maintain an NFL franchise.

NFL owners and players make obscene profits. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s annual salary to mange this so called “non-profit” is reported to be over $35 million dollars a year. I wonder if any of these NFL players understand that most kids today never even get the opportunity to go to an NFL game simply due to the high ticket costs set by the NFL.

There is just so much hypocrisy here it makes you want to scream. Yet, in all of it, we are somehow supposed to be sympathetic to Roger Goodell’s indignity over President Trump’s “right on the mark” comments about the NFL, it’s mega rich players, and gutless owners. The liberal media feeds this farce….mostly driven by Trump hating, and fails to even ask one player the following questions;

  1. Please tell specifically the concerns that are driving you to disrespect our flag, our nation, and the many heroes who have given their all by taking a knee during the National Anthem
  2. Could you still express your protest toward these issues but do so in a different venue or time?

These rich NFL players can exercise their right to protest in so many other ways than during the National Anthem. They choose to ignore how their protest affects others and also refuse to find more appropriate venues for their concerns. These players also fail to think about how their actions affect young people who look to them as role models.

So, as I have previously declared, I Quit the NFL!

 

Michael Hawke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I QUIT THE NFL” ….By, Michael Hawke

15 Tuesday Aug 2017

Posted by in Character, Sports

≈ 2 Comments

Marshawn Lynch I say to your coaches, the owners, and the fellow players who are too cowardly to pull your spoiled butt off the bench during the playing of our National Anthem ….” I QUIT THE NFL ” … I watch college football.

I have had it with spoiled NFL players disrespecting America, and all those who have fought and died for their many freedoms, which include playing professional football for millions of dollars. When NFL players kneel, squat, or sit….it says to all the fans, kids and people around the world… “I believe our country is a racist place where minorities are kept down”.

America is not perfect, but it is a free country where people can work, live, travel, make a fortune, or just enjoy life. Marshawn Lynch when you sit during our National Anthem you are doing an advertisement to the world that says “America is bad, evil, no equality for all, a place where minorities are kept down, where life is unfair”. That is the lie you send out, not just to NFL football fans, but to all people around the world. Our enemies even use your protests to gain advantage and to build propaganda.

You know Marshawn Lynch America has treated you just fine. Your current net worth is over $30,000,000. dollars. Your current NFL salary is listed as $1,350,000.dollars per year. That is for a season that lasts less than six months. Your other income from commercials, advertising, and endorsements puts you even higher I am sure, probably pushes you up into the stratosphere of incomes.

You went to the University of California Berkeley, which is one of the top five academic schools in America, my alma mater also. We went to the same school Marshawn. I served in the United States Army for 29 years. I am not even going to list my net worth…it is not based on dollars either. You know I served with guys who paid the total price…Blacks, Whites, Asians, American Indians, Christians, Jews, Muslims…. men and women from all races, creeds, and backgrounds. They believed that while our country was not perfect it was free, and it was worth giving their all, even to die, so their loved ones and fellow Americans might stay free.

Your protest should shame you and the uppity football league called the NFL. The NFL stands for  “National Football League “.  Kind of funny to me…it should be called the “UFL ” for “Unfair Football League”. Nothing National about the NFL. It is all about the money, and the players lucky enough to get there should not be sitting on their asses during the playing of the National Anthem. You want to protest do so off the field. That anthem, before the game,….it means a lot to many Americans, Americans less fortunate than you, but who understand what freedom is, and what it is not.

You know what an E-6 Sergeant makes yearly Marshawn Lynch? Take a good look…. $40,896.00. When you add all the other percs, such as BAQ and medical, they may make $50,000.00, dollars a year. So think about this…you are protesting the unfairness of our country because we have a small number of racist fools while our military men and women are risking their lives training, preparing, moving from family on deployments, and serving in combat zones. They do this why? So you can pipe out a message to the world  “America sucks…it is unfair….it is racist” !

Marshawn Lynch have you ever asked yourself why 75% of the people on the planet would move to America in a “New York Minute”, given the chance? Did you ever wonder on that one? I bet it must be because the rest of the world is really fair, and really free, right?  No Marshawn, the rest of the world is not free, fair, or without racism and prejudice. You want to protest Marshawn go to Africa, India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia….there are some really bad places. There are many countries where minorities, gays, women, and children are abused, kept down, and murdered ….where life is cheap and freedom is non-existent.  Next vacation Marhsawn skip the Bahamas, tag along with our troops in Afghanistan and learn about the real world.

My advice to you is to start giving hope and positives to people, including the minority communities. Use your platform to build up not tear down, unite not divide, encourage not discourage. Marshawn when you sit on your fat, rich, ass during the playing of the National Anthem you do not give people hope…you give them despair…and the sad thing is you are telling them a lie.  You tell them the game is rigged, they cannot make it. You convey to them they should have doubt, fear, despair, and hate.

Marshawn because a group of white racists hold a march and create a riot does not make America a racist country. America is not a perfect nation. It never was, but we have always strived as a people to become better, to make our country a place of opportunity and freedom for all. Looks like it has worked for you?

As for the NFL….the league evidently thinks it cannot interfere with players rights to protest during the playing of the National Anthem but they have no problem keeping them from celebrating in the end zone after touch downs. I say they show some real cowardly behavior. Personally, if I were the owner of the Oakland Raiders, I would fire you and any player who protests during the National Anthem.

No player should be bigger than the team, or the league. No football fan watches the game to see players push politics. Fans want to enjoy sports and escape the grind of their lives. You guys just don’t get it.

I QUIT THE NFL … watch college games… join the protest.

Michael Hawke

 

The Daily Mix…..by, Michael Hawke

14 Friday Jul 2017

Posted by in Motivation, Sports

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Tim Tebow:   Tim Tebow was moved up to Single A ball in the Mets organization and is hitting 327. He has an 11 game hitting streak going and today hit his first professional “walk off” homer for the win. He will at AA level by the end of the season. Great job Tebow, I know you are having fun chasing your dream! Baseball is an awesome game.

San Diego Padres: All I hear is we have a great President, a great General Manager, an Awesome Coach…..we are in last place. I am not buying the ” youth movement….we just need a few more years of patience” stuff. Free agency pretty much kills that plan, or it has in the past. Still a fan…they are still my team, keep trying boys!

Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton:  I ran into Lee this morning at the library in San Diego. He is producing his own “Sports Page” and awaiting an opportunity to get back in the booth. He was great in the Chargers hey day. I used to listen to him every morning on my ride to work. They replaced him with a loud mouth ego and their ratings are now in the cellar, or below. Progress, eh? Hang in there Lee, you know your stuff and your voice is still golden.

President Trump: The POTUS and FLOTUS are in Paris for the celebration of Bastille Day. I watched the press conference and Trump owns a room when he is in it. The President of France kind of resembles portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte….eerie. They seem to be getting along and I believe our President is doing a great job and will be a two termer. He may even surpass Ronald Reagan as a down to earth, common sense leader. “Build Up That Wall, Mr. President” !

Hannity: Not sure who his producer is but in his TV, and Radio shows, he opens with what he calls “my monologue”. He runs on and on and on, making a significant number of points on several different issues. Sean Hannity is in love with himself. The personal pronoun “I” is his favorite word.  He has good ideas and some good shows, but he does not know how to let the show be the focus. He thinks he needs to be the focus…. and for the record Sean you just are not that interesting. Get out the way and let things work.

Endeavor: Taking Endeavor out on Sunday with friends. Nothing is more relaxing than sailing on San Diego Bay. I named her after Captain Cook’s first ship. My ultimate goal for Endeavor is to take her through the Canal to Cuba and after that who knows where the wind might blow us.

Louie Lamoure: One of the most prolific writers of modern time. His autobiography is called  “The Education of a Wandering Man”. If you have not read it you are missing out. He says what makes a great writer is being a great reader. He lists all the books he ever read and this alone is worth having the book. A must read on your summer reading list.