New England Patriots linebacker Marcus Ashmore and Carolina Panthers defensive end Louis Newmeyer are looking at 4-game suspensions for “behavior unbecoming a professional.” Their crime, according to the league, was failing to stand and observe a moment of silence for the members of the black community “gunned down” by police.
The two men instead took a knee, loudly proclaiming “Blue Lives Matter” as they did. According to their bosses and the NFL, a player can choose not to honor our veterans but they must kneel in reverence to thugs who got what they deserved.
A spokesman for the Player’s Union said that the pair intends to sue the league and every single player who knelt during the national anthem since Kaepernick started it last season:
What we are witnessing here is institutionalized reverse racism. Our country will become weak and pathetic if we give in to criminals to keep our cities from burning. The courts and the police are there working to ensure the safety of every American willing to live their lives above the radar and within the law.
Forcing these men to stand for something they can’t believe in is nothing short of authoritarian and wrong.”
The league hasn’t answered calls for comment. They have released a statement that indicates that the matter is internal and considered closed.
