Axe tosser extraordinaire and Vikings tie model, Pete Hegseth filled in this morning on Fox and Friends Weekend, the show that starts off Fox's Sunday broadcasting with a light-hearted spin on what they consider 'news.' This segment addresses the fears of Fox 'News' viewers who are deeply concerned over possible revenue losses and the financial solvency of the NFL. Surely most of us are losing sleep over this issue.
HEGSETH: Are Colin Kaepernick and his fellow players really to blame for this deep decline? Joining us now to discuss, Baltimore Ravens football player and author of Under Our Skin, Benjamin Watson, former New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford, and a former NFL player and author of Teamworks Chris Valenta.
Each of the three NFL players proceeded to dismantle Pete's assessment of revenue decline by listing the actual causes for the drop in viewership. The least of those reasons is the 49ers QB, Colin Kaepernick's protest knee.
Somehow, most media outlets, especially Fox 'News' has never addressed how the third verse of the Star Spangled Banner is wrought with racist lyrics, because racism is a figment of the imagination of the Liberal Left. Plus, that wasn't on the test, you know.
Writer of the anthem, Francis Scott Key was a fervent proponent of the institution of slavery. Here's a little-known historical fact:
In a high-profile case that drew national attention, Key prosecuted a doctor who lived in Georgetown for possessing abolitionist pamphlets. In the case of U.S. v. Reuben Crandall, Key sought to have the defendant hanged, asserting the property rights of those who owned Africans, and the quality of life having a second class of citizens the institution afforded them held more weight than the free speech rights of those arguing to abolish slavery. Key was not alone, he was in league with pro-slavery Congressmen who in 1836 passed a series of "gag rules" to quash all anti-slavery petitions and prevent them from being read or discussed.
Aside from the justified protest of this anthem that is highly disrespecting of anyone of African American descent, Hegseth's guests further punch holes in his assertion.
Valletta adds that Major League Baseball is making history with the Cubs and Indians right now, and media consumption habits are changing. Combine those with a reality-show style, contentious Presidential race, and any professional sport would see a decline in its ratings.
Ben Watson is asked his opinion, and mentions that the decline in viewership over Kaepernick's protests was far more significant at the season's opening, where the numbers of affected viewers has increased from a decline of 40% to only 12% currently. Oops, Hegseth. Better try the last guest. The punter will surely agree, right?
HEGSETH: Do you think people are pulling back?
WEATHERFORD: Well yeah, I mean you have to think at the core of why people watch football, they want to see the greatest athletes in the world compete at the highest level. They're not concerned about what their political views are.
HEGSETH: Are they now? Such a visual demonstration of what people some people think is disrespect
WEATHERFORD: Yeah I mean what-what at the end of the day, they want to watch athletes play football; they want to hear the human interest piece leading up into the game. The last thing that they want to see is more politics they're getting plenty of that from Donald Trump, from Hillary Clinton. When they turn it on to football, they're sitting with their families and it's become the biggest pastime in America. They want to see football. They're a little burnt out on politics.
Strike three, you're out! For Pete's sake, give it a rest! People are still watching plenty of football, and no one, save Fox 'News,' cares if players use their forum to protest.
