Rob Parker: “The NFL should eliminate the National Anthem. NOBODY in the country has to stand up for the National Anthem before they work. Garbage men, radio talk show hosts, bakers, butchers, NOBODY else does it. It doesn’t make you less important or less of an American. When you go to the movie theater do you stand up for the National Anthem before the movie? We used to stand for the Pledge of Alliance before school, but most schools don’t do that anymore. Two things can come out of this for the NFL. One, change CAN happen and it’s not the end of the world by making the change. And two, you take the focus off the players, and allow them to stay focused on the message, and not have the pushback… Not forever. If it’s the right time where people feel like the country is going in the right direction, and people feel some togetherness and some real unity, then you could always reintroduce it. Up until 2009, NFL players were not required to come out of the locker room for the National Anthem, it was only after the NFL started collecting money from the US Defense Department and the National Guard, and THEN all the flags came out. It was used as a recruiting tool to the armed services… We don’t need all that anymore and the NFL could do a lot of things if they just decide to step aside from the National Anthem.” (Full Audio Above)
Listen to Rob Parker explain why he thinks the NFL should get rid of the National Anthem ceremony before their games, as tumult begins to mount across the sport in the wake of the killing of George Floyd.
Not only does Rob think it’s time for the league to ‘step aside’ from a pre-game ritual that is clearly not at the behest of many players around the NFL at the moment, but Rob believes it will also extinguish the hostility towards fans and players if the sport can just quickly rid itself of a song and ceremony that has become so divisive this month.
Check out the audio above as Rob details why he doesn’t believe there’s much purpose for the Anthem in the NFL anymore, saying no other profession observes the song every day before they get to work.
Clay Travis: Drew Brees Shouldn't Have Apologized For Nat'l Anthem Comments
Rob Parker Says Drew Brees is 'What's Wrong With This Country'
Clay Travis: Drew Brees' Comments Weren't Remotely 'Controversial'
Saints Star on Drew Brees' Remarks: 'Sometimes You Should Shut the F*ck Up'