By Bob Decker 

Posted on Oct. 6, 2018 

The protesters aren’t going to like this. Same goes for those who protest the protesters. 

First, I’m against Colin Kaepernick and everything for which he kneels. 

I do not deny Kaepernick his right to protest but I do think he and his fellow protesters are using the wrong platform in trying to make their points. It’s hard to believe Kaepernick & Co. when they say they have nothing against our national anthem, the American Flag, our veterans, and our country when they take a knee at the beginning of the anthem and then stand up as soon as it has ended. 

That said, I am also not a big fan of the people who are protesting the protesters by refusing to watch the National Football League games on TV this season. 

Let the owners of your favorite team know you don’t like their players taking the protest knee. Let the advertisers sponsoring the game you don’t like what’s going on. You want to give up your season tickets? Go for it. Just let your team officials know why you are doing it. 

I haven’t been to a pro football game in years. Too old and too wobbly to walk too far or climb too many stairs, for one. Interest has also fallen off in my advancing years, I must admit. 

But I still get a kick out of Football Sunday, Monday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football. And when the college regular season ends – hello Saturday pro football. 

Time was I would be downstairs in front of the TV for all the Sunday pre-game stuff and then watch the 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. games. I was in my glory when they started with Sunday Night Football.  

I’d set up with my newspapers, my office pool slips, and all my non-office (ahem!) pool betting slips. The beer was much cheaper and the line to the restroom was much, much shorter, too. On top of all that, the bride even agreed to letting me have dinner in front of the TV! 

So, I’ll sit there and shake my head when protesters are shown on TV … or when one of the TV guys mentions how many – if any – took a knee during the anthem. But I refuse to refuse to watch the games. 

The protesters might receive even more support if they took their protests to the places they say are behind the reasons why they protest.  

During my 15-year stay in the Daily News (NY) Sports Department, the editorial union twice elected to strike or join a strike. We walked a picket line that was set up on the sidewalk on 42nd Street right in front of the News Building.  

We didn’t protest in front of Louie’s East, or McCann’s, or a church, or an apartment house, or an office building. We had issues with The News and we picketed in front of The News building. 

Today’s pro football players don’t have issues with the NFL, their team owners, or their fans. So why protest there. 

On second thought, maybe if a running back broke loose for a long run and was nearing the goal line with nobody behind him … and then suddenly stopped on the 5-yard line and took a knee! 

Now, THAT would make everybody stand up and take notice! 

(Bob Decker can be reached at deckbob@optonline.net)