Leave my Sports Alone

I absolutely hate it when politics invade sports. When that occurs I don’t think that benefits anybody. The recent debate between the kneeling during the playing of the National Anthems and our sporting events has made me sick. It doesn’t even matter what side of the debate you might be. Mixing Politics and sports just plain stinks.

This past weekend the NFL exploded with players taking a knee in protest during the playing of the National Anthem. Just a guess here but I bet there were a few players kneeling who were clueless as to why they were kneeling. Whatever, they certainly have that right, after all.

The reason most of us enjoy sports and entertainment in general is to get away from life’s real problems for a short period of time. Sitting in your favorite chair, sipping your favorite beverage while watching a sporting event is the perfect getaway for most of us. God knows we could all use it these days.

Our days are filled with worry and angst. For some, more than others but we all have in common life’s problems and issues. Take the people in Texas and Florida who have had their life’s interrupted by the devastating effects of Hurricane’s Harvey and Irma. And what about those poor souls in the Caribbean who have had their entire possessions destroyed by these massive storms.

And oh yeah, let’s not forget our neighbors to the south who were rocked by a devastating earthquake. North Korea, Iran, the economy are things that we see in the news daily. And that’s just what we see on TV.

What about the worry most of us have for our elderly parents, grandparents? Our health? Our family’s health and well-being? Every worry about how you were going to pay your mortgage, rent, car insurance or any other bill? Fortunately I’ve never been one, but imagine the people who are worried this very moment about how they are going to feed their families?

The NFL and President Trump this past week saw to it that politics invaded our escape moment. Even the most patriotic of all sporting businesses, NASCAR saw it necessary to send the following directive to its Crew Chiefs and teams. Here’s what they released prior to Sundays race at New Hampshire Speedway.

“Please advise all your Team members: Conduct during the playing of the National Anthem, taken from the US Flag Code… When the flag is displayed- all persons should face and stand at attention with their right hand over their heart- persons should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the right hand being over the heart. When the flag is not displayed- all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed. Please, let’s do this properly each week. Thanks.”

Many NFL players elected to kneel during the playing of the anthem in various cities around the country Sunday. In Pittsburgh the entire team, less Alejandro Villanuava, an Army Ranger who has served in Afghanistan, stayed in the locker room until the Anthem had been played. There was none of that in NASCAR. Every driver, Crew Chief and team member stood at attention as the Anthem was played.

I stand at attention for the anthem because, for me, it represents all those who have given so much for all of us. For me it’s as simple as that. If you choose to use these occasions to protest, as much as I personally disagree with it, it’s certainly your right. I just wish there were some other venue for those who wish to protest to do so. Leave my sports out of it. Most of us have enough on our plates in our daily lives. We need the break!

Thanks for reading. Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:45 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR. 1110AM 93.5FM or online at WTBQ.COM. You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante