There’s a lot of wisdom in the old saying, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 offers words of wisdom about what we can do—and shouldn’t do—in life. Those words inspired this oft-communicated adage: “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
That advice well expresses my take on the kerfuffle involving President Trump, NFL players, and the NFL. Cancellation of the Eagles’ White House visit is the most recent round in a back-and-forth contretemps that seems to have no end.
How might we break the impasse? The first step is for each party to recognize the wisdom of the adage, “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
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Mr. President, just because you hold a grudge against the NFL for freezing you out as an owner (twice I might add), don’t lash out at the league. Let the League handle business as it sees fit. And you know full well why NFL players are protesting. They’re protesting the treatment of black men by police. Bottom line, Mr. Trump, is that you’ve jumped on the League and NFL players for political reasons. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
NFL owners, you’re in way over your heads. You enacted a policy without consulting with the Players’ Association. That was a mistake. And why capitulate to a president who criticizes just about everything you do? Even if you do exactly what Trump wants, he’ll move the goalposts and demand more from you. NFL owners, you’re victims of your own incapacity. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
NFL players, I’m on your side. But I have concerns. There are many ways to protest and protesting at the workplace is just one. But the odd thing is this: you protested and then went to work immediately. Other workers strike. That tells me you neither understand the art of social activism nor have a long-term protest strategy. Yes, you have the right to free speech. Yes, you can protest at games. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
How would I resolve the situation? The NFL and players need to admit that the President has the upper hand. He knows how to win in a situation like this, and that’s exactly what he’s doing. Millions of Americans, including a legion of NFL fans, are on his side. You can’t beat Trump at his game. NFL and the players: take Trump out of the equation. It’s possible, too.
For the NFL, that means this: sit down with the Players Association and work out a response—something that you should have done in the first place.
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For NFL players: elevate your game. You’ve created public awareness by protesting, but you’ve also created enemies in the process. Besides, creating public awareness is just step one—the initial step—in long-term change. At the end of the day, it’s about doing something, not just protesting about something.
The immediate next step is to forge political ties at the municipal, state, and federal levels. Get city councils, governors, state legislators, and Congress to pay attention to your concerns about how black men are being treated. Provide data. Lobby. Create proposals. Keep the press involved. Be relentless in your quest for a political response.
Beyond that, you need a game plan for change. For that, consider the relevance of Charles Grantham’s article in The Undefeated. Grantham offers examples of what to do. Here’s one: organize and support programs to establish stronger relationships between community groups and the police.
And invest your own resources in making change happen. The Eagles’ Chris Long is already doing that. Long donated his entire 2017 paycheck to Pledge 10 for Tomorrow. The money supports educational equity/opportunity programs in three cities where he played pro football–St. Louis, Boston, and Philadelphia.
My advice, then? NFL owners: admit your error and, then, get with players and work out a game day policy. NFL players: act boldly and with impact.
Let’s get past talking at each other.
Your strong analysis of a touchy, important and troublesome subject is on target. Bravo!