Patriots Semifinalists

 

Congratulations to the Patriots semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018!

In Memory of Terry Glenn ... RIP #88

We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Terry Glenn. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family, friends & former teammates. http://bit.ly/2mJB6t0

Tom Brady has thrown 478 touchdown passes during his remarkable NFL career.  But only one person caught his first, and that was Terry Glenn. Glenn, 43, died on Monday following a one-vehicle rollover traffic accident in the Dallas suburb of Irving, according to police.

A True Patriot

When all around me kneel, I will stand!  #StandForOurAnthem

Freedom of speach came at a cost

Professional athletes where costumes, not uniforms. Uniforms are worn by soldiers, law enforcement and those others who serve our community’s. When they put on a real uniform, maybe they would have a different view. Just ask Pat Tillman. Oh, sorry, he gave his life for your free speech.

Message LOST!

Buffalo Bills star LeSean McCoy STRETCHES during pregame national anthem while his teammates stand and kneel nearby

McCoy was seen running in place and warming up during the national anthem

His teammates all stood or kneeled on the field during the Star Spangled Banner

After the game, McCoy said that while he loves America, he 'can't stand and support something where our leader of this country is acting like a jerk' (he would know what it means to act like a jerk since he is an expert)

He didn't explain why he decided to stretch throughout the national anthem

McCoy had previously criticized former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for his decision to protest during the anthem.

'At the end of the day, man, the good thing about this country is you can do what you want,' McCoy said. 'The freedom to express yourself. I felt that, hey, if that's something (Kaepernick) wanted to do, that's perfectly fine.

Patriots who knelt 9-24-17

At least they were respectful during there "peaceful protest" unlike a certain Running Back from the Buffalo Bills!

97 Alan Branch
90 Malcolm Brown
91 Deatrich Wise
29 Johnson Bademosi
52 Elandon Roberts
38 Brandon Bolden
24 Stephon Gilmore
28 James White
21 Malcolm Butler
32 Devin McCourty
14 Brandon Cooks
30 Duron Harmon

A True NFL Team Leader

President Donald Trump’s comments on Friday night and throughout the weekend about the NFL needing to fire players who do not stand for the national anthem drew strong responses from inside and outside the football world.

Most of those responses fell either in opposition to or support of the President, but Saints quarterback Drew Brees found some slightly different ground. When Brees met with the media after Sunday’s 34-13 victory over the Panthers, Brees was critical of the President as well as of players, including his teammates, who didn’t stand.

“I disagree with what the President said and how he said it,” Brees said, via the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “I think it’s very unbecoming of the office of the President of the United States to talk like that, to the great people like that, and, obviously, he’s disappointing a lot of people.”

“Let me say this first – do I think that there’s inequality in this country? Yes, I do. Do I think that there’s racism? Yes, I do. I think there’s inequality for women in the workplace; I think there’s inequality for people of color, for minorities, for immigrants.”

“If the protest becomes we’re going to sit down or kneel or not show respect to the flag of the United States of America and everything it symbolizes and everything it stands for, everything our country has stood for to get to this point, I do not agree with that. I feel like that is a unifying thing.”

Brees said he didn’t know that 10 Saints players planned to remain seated because he was “locked in” before the game, but said he’s had “candid conversations” with teammates about these issues in the past and that he thinks the team will be fine after talking about it again in the wake of Sunday’s game.

Patriots Players Explain Kneeling Down

Was it heard?  Through boos or cheers, and while standing or kneeling.

Some, like Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, opted to keep their explanations short.
“We had our reasons,” Gilmore said before immediately moving to game questions.

Others, however, were willing to delve into the reasons on a more personal level.
“It’s one of those things where you want to stand with your brothers, kneel with your brothers, and be by their side,” Brandin Cooks, the game’s hero with his last-minute touchdown grab, said. “One statement I would just like to make is that a lot of people think we’re disrespecting the flag and the military, but my father and uncle were Marines, and I have the utmost respect for the men and women that fight for our freedom. I feel conflicted in a sense because I have no courage to do something like that, so I understand the magnitude that they’re fighting across the world for our freedom.

“The message we’re trying to send is that we want respect and unity, and there’s only so many ways that you can do it,” Cooks continued. “We decided before the game that we were going to do it and I’m glad we went through with it.”

“I have nothing but respect for the flag. I love my country, but I just wanted to support my teammates,” Pats defensive end Cassius Marsh, who sent out a 'controversial' tweet earlier today and whose girlfriend served in the armed forces, said. “I think it’s a unifying thing in every locker room. You support your guys, you’re standing up for your teammates. And not only your teammates, but guys throughout this league. This NFL is a brotherhood, and it’s a privilege to be part of this, and to be able to represent that emblem. I see how these guys work, and we’re the same as the rest of the citizens in this world. We have the right to exercise each and every right we have as a U.S. citizen.

“It’s not about choosing sides or anything like that,” added Marsh. “My side is people. I love the people in this country, I love people in general, I love my teammates, I love my brothers in the this NFL, and I’m just here to support my guys.”

“I’ll put it in football perspective: You got a teammate, you want him to be his best, then you demand his best,” Trey Flowers said. “You demand better. And I just think if he’s not doing his best, then somebody should tell him, ‘Hey, you’re not doing your best.’”

And when asked if that somebody not doing his best was in fact President Donald Trump, Flowers instead continued to apply the lesson in football (and life) terms.

“If you got somebody you want to do their best, you want your brother to do his best, so you gonna tell him if he’s not doing his best,” Flowers, who by the end of it twice refused to say that he was talking Trump directly, added. “But if somebody’s not doing their best, I feel like it would be my job as a brother, as a father, as a son, to tell that person you should do a better job or just let them know that that’s probably not a good idea.”

And while the Patriots were aware of the mixed reaction their actions will certainly come with, they also understand that that’s just part of the beauty of this country.
“It is what it is. A lot of guys got their opinions, and I think they feel as though they did what they felt, so that’s how it is,” Flowers said. “We heard [the boos]. But that’s a difference of opinions. That’s the world we live in. A lot of people got different opinions.”

But regardless of what the outsiders think about their actions or stances, what the Patriots clearly believe they have -- especially after today -- is unity within their team.

“People come from all different backgrounds and I believe they do what they believe is right, and I totally support them,” New England tackle and seven-year Patriot Nate Solder said. “There’s a lot of craziness outside of this locker room, but inside this locker room, we truly lock arms. We love each other. This is a great, great environment.”

“I’ve got love for my teammates,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, a player that opted to lock arms with his teammates rather than take a knee, said. “I mean, we go through a lot together. There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. I don’t think it’s easy to play this sport. I mean, there’s a lot of guys that sacrifice a lot. I think you have a lot of respect for the guys who play, not only your teammates, but guys you play against.

“I believe in all of us coming together.”

NFL takes a knee in defiance to Trump

President Donald Trump’s criticism of players who protest during the national anthem incited a mass increase in such activism Sunday, with more than 100 NFL players sitting or kneeling, others raising their fists and whole teams standing with locked arms to display unity.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who’s been a strong supporter of the president, expressed “deep disappointment” with Trump on Sunday.

Patriots give reasons for kneeling during anthem: 'We want respect and unity' (no mention of social injustice or Kap?)

It was a decision met with a fierce reaction from the Gillette Stadium crowd, as a chorus of boos echoed and chants telling the players to “stand up” broke out over the song.

“I’ve got love for my teammates,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, a player that opted to lock arms with his teammates rather than take a knee, said. “I mean, we go through a lot together. There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. I don’t think it’s easy to play this sport. I mean, there’s a lot of guys that sacrifice a lot. I think you have a lot of respect for the guys who play, not only your teammates, but guys you play against.

“I believe in all of us coming together.”

Through boos or cheers, and while standing or kneeling.

Gold Star Mothers Day

Sunday was Gold Star Mothers Day, a time to honor mothers across our nation who have lost sons and daughters serving in our Armed Forces. Their bravery and commitment to keeping us safe will never be taken for granted EXCEPT BY THE NFL!

A Modern Day Daniel!

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was unhappy that offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva, an Army veteran, stood for the national anthem. 

Tomlin was upset that Villanueva — who did three tours of duty in Afghanistan — broke ranks by standing to respect the Star-Spangled Banner while his teammates hid like hood rats in the locker room.

At a post-game press conference, Tomlin expressed disappointment that Villanueva respected the American flag that he risked his life fighting for.

I think Coach Tomlin has he own agenda.  

This We’ll Defend!

“This We’ll Defend.”  That’s the U.S. Army motto that Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva honored when he stood for the national anthem before an NFL game.

And by “this,” the Army motto refers to the United States of America — not the National Football League.

Coach Tomlin was upset that the former Army Ranger put his country before his football team. Keep in mind that football players are traded all the time, so it’s not like the allegiance is two-sided.

Villaneuva played college football at West Point, where the motto is “Duty, Honor, Country.” Notice there’s no mention of a football team anywhere in that code.

After graduating, Villaneuva became an Army Ranger and served three tours in Afghanistan, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014 after briefly playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.

No one knows what Villaneuva’s future will be with the Steelers, but for grateful Americans, he has a place forever. Right here in our hearts.

STATEMENT FROM PATRIOTS CHAIRMAN AND CEO ROBERT KRAFT

 STATEMENT FROM PATRIOTS CHAIRMAN AND CEO ROBERT KRAFT 
"I am deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the President on Friday. I am proud to be associated with so many players who make such tremendous contributions in positively impacting our communities. Their efforts, both on and off the field, help bring people together and make our community stronger. There is no greater unifier in this country than sports, and unfortunately, nothing more divisive than politics. I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal. Our players are intelligent, thoughtful and care deeply about our community and I support their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful."

Before you decide you want to take a knee

Take a little trip to Valley Forge in January. If you don't know where that is, just Google it from the sidelines. Hold a musket ball in your fingers and imagine it piercing your flesh and breaking a bone or two. There won't be a doctor or trainer to assist you until after the battle, so just wait your turn.Take your cleats and socks off to get a real experience. Then take a knee.

Then, take a knee on  a beach in Normandy where man after American man stormed the beach, even as the one in front of him was shot to pieces...the very sea stained with American blood. The only blockers most had were the dead bodies in front of them, riddled with bullets from enemy fire.

Take a knee in the sweat soaked jungles of Vietnam wear the temperature reaches 90 degrees and humidity is 100% from Khe San to Saigon...Anywhere will do. Americans died in all those jungles.There was no playbook that told them what was next, but they knew what flag they represented and respected. When they came home, they were protested as well..and spit on for reasons only cowards know.

Take another knee in the blood drenched sands of Fallujah in 110 degree heat..Wear your Kevlar helmet and battle dress...Your number won't be printed on it unless your number is up! You'll need to stay hydrated but there won't be anyone to squirt Gatorade into your mouth. You're on your own.

There's a lot of places to take a knee. Americans have given their lives all over the world. When you use the banner under which they fought as a source for your displeasure, you dishonor the memories of those who bled for the very freedoms you have. That's what the red stripes mean. It represents the blood of those who spilled a sea of it defending your liberty.

While you're on your knee, pray for those that came before you, not on a manicured lawn striped and printed with numbers to announce every inch of ground taken...but on nameless hills and bloodied beaches and sweltering forests and bitter cold mountains...every inch marked by an American life lost serving that flag you protest.

No cheerleaders, no announcers, no coaches, no fans...just American men and women...delivering the real fight against those who chose to harm us...blazing a path so you would have the right to "take a knee."

You haven't an inkling what it took to get you where you are...but your "protest" is duly noted. Not only is it disgraceful to a nation of real heroes, it serves the purpose of pointing to your ingratitude for those who chose to defend you under that banner that will still wave long after your jersey is retired...

If you really feel the need to take a knee, come with me to church on Sunday and we'll both kneel before Almighty God. We'll thank him for preserving this country for as long as He has. We'll beg forgiveness for our ingratitude for all He has provided us. We'll appeal to Him for understanding and wisdom. We'll pray for liberty and justice for all...because He is the one who provides those things.

But there will be no protest. There will only be gratitude for His provision and a plea for His continued grace and mercy on the land of the free and the home of the brave. It goes like this...

GOD BLESS AMERICA! GOD BLESS OUR FLAG ! STAND FOR OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM!  AS A PROUD AMERICAN AND TO HONOR THOSE WHO DIED FOR YOUR FREEDOM!!