A couple of days ago I wrote a post on hiking as a form of escape. In it I said that heading out to the woods was a way of escaping the pressures of every day life. I used to feel this way about the NFL. Every Sunday I couldn’t wait to turn on the Fox pre-game show and then watch the games all day long! I knew that for a few hours on Sunday I could just veg out and not think about anything.

When Colin K. began his protest last year, I feared that the politics of that gesture would creep its way into the game that I loved as it unfortunately has happened in Hollywood. Sure enough, in the space of a year, it has come to the point where I can’t watch any of it. The pre-game, the games itself or the post game shows. All have been politicized to the point where they are totally unwatchable.

Thankfully our great country has a Constitution and it clearly states in the First Amendment that every person has the right to free speech. I don’t have an issue with anyone who wants to protest. I served my country in the USMC so that all of us will continue to have the right of free speech. My issue is where they choose to do it. As I said, sports and by the way, I’ll add movies and concerts along with this because they are venues where we choose  to get away from it all. They have now ruined it.

With the money that they make, I am certain that they could find a more suitable place and time to air their grievances instead of alienating at least half of their audience. Let football be what it is-a game. Get rid of the politics.

Where and when in our culture did we get sidetracked by the idea that because you can play a sport, sing or act, that you are now an enlightened political voice? I do not now nor have I ever expected someone in sports or entertainment to provide me with political commentary or guidance. they are not role models. I do not look up to them in any way and do not expect them to feel the need to be burdened with that responsibility.

So what do I think? Even though I disagree with those who do not stand, I will support your right to do so. For all of you athletes, actors and singers, please just shut up and play your game, act or sing your songs. That’s it. Nothing more. Until that time I won’t be watching the NFL or paying to go to the movies. I refuse to finance your incredibly hypocritical political views.

So for now, join me as I say F…(forget) the NFL.