October 5, 2017 --

It came as no surprise that The New York Times, in its September 25th lead editorial – “The Day the Real Patriots Took a Knee”  -- lauded the knee-dropping protests at National Football League games, September 24, as “a huge victory for free speech and the causes of racial justice” previously espoused by Colin Kaepernick (who is not presently a player in the NFL).  LPR looks back fondly to the days when dropping to the knee in football indicated that the player who just caught a punt or kick-off would not attempt a kick return.

The Times editorial made no reference to the game operations manual of the NFL that, according to a report posted September 25 at the news, grabien website, provide that the National Anthem must be played before every NFL game, with the players on the sidelines, facing Old Glory, holding helmets in the left hand and not talking.  Violators are said to face disciplinary action.

Nor did the editorial indicate to what extent “free speech” would be tolerated in the Times newsroom.  The editorial concluded by letting Lebron James, the basketball star of the Cleveland Cavaliers, speak for The New York Times as to its view of President Trump.   The paper quoted from a James tweet that called the president “’U bum.’”

LPR saw a report, September 25, stating that National Anthem protests will not be tolerated at NASCAR races.