The act of kneeling during the national anthem, initiated by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick as a silent protest against police brutality, has sparked heated debates and divisive reactions across the United States.
As people from all walks of life either join in or criticize the movement, a high school football game in Monroe offered a new dimension to the controversy.
Monroe High School's football team, inspired by Kaepernick’s protest, took a knee during the national anthem before a game.
This action, however, was met with a counter-protest by the game’s referees. Ernie Lunardelli, 54, and Anthony Lunardelli, 27, both football officials, walked off the field in response. They felt that they couldn't stand by and watch the high schoolers "disrespect" America in such a manner.
This story showcases the multifaceted nature of the anthem protests. On one side are those like Kaepernick and the Monroe football players, who see kneeling as a peaceful way to draw attention to a pressing societal issue.
They aim to use their platform to shed light on matters they deem critical, leveraging the visibility and resonance of the national anthem to make their point.
On the other side are individuals like the Lunardellis. To them, the flag and the anthem represent the ideals, sacrifices, and values of America. “I’m not in favor of anyone disrespecting our country, our flag, the armed forces,” Ernie told NJ.com, illustrating this viewpoint.
He felt strongly about the act, asserting that while everyone has a right to protest, the pregame ceremony, in his opinion, should be all about football and patriotism.
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Ernie further stated, “Whoever is disrespecting that flag and the national anthem, that’s who I have a problem with.”
His statement is a clear representation of a sizable portion of Americans who feel that any form of protest during the anthem is tantamount to disrespecting the nation.
However, this incident at Monroe High School, and the broader national debate, raises a series of questions: Can a symbol or anthem have multiple interpretations? Is it possible that both parties are, in their way, standing up for what they believe is right?
The repercussions of the Lunardellis' decision to leave the field are still unfolding.
Ernie challenges the game's legitimacy, saying, “That game should not count now because they did not have the right personnel on the field.”
He believes that the two cadets who replaced them were not officially trained or carded, potentially jeopardizing the game's integrity.
Furthermore, Ernie has enlisted legal support, suggesting that the ripple effects of the protest and counter-protest may extend far beyond the football field.
In essence, the Monroe High School football game encapsulates the broader national debate on anthem protests in microcosm.
While the act of kneeling during the anthem began as a specific protest against police brutality, its meaning has evolved and expanded as various groups have engaged with, adopted, or opposed it.
At the heart of this issue is the balance between freedom of speech and perceived respect for national symbols.
As this story from Monroe High School demonstrates, the interpretation of an act of protest can be as varied as the number of people who witness it.
As the debate continues, it's essential for individuals on both sides to engage in constructive dialogues, understanding the underlying issues and emotions that drive such actions, and working collaboratively towards a more harmonious society.
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I AM PROUD OF THE YOUNG STUDENTS ,and sincerely wish the refs would of stayed, this was not a personal attack and the students did no harm
They should be banned from playing and people like you are a cancer on this nation.
And you have no respect for your country.. I will assume that you never served this country either..
The underdeveloped don’t realize what “OLD GLORY” affords them and what it took to earn their right to Free Speech.
You can’t teach a child HOT. There is only 1 way to learn HOT.
The problem is how many times do they have to get burned until it sinks in.
“Forgive them father for they know not what they do”.
You have no idea what you’re talking about disrespecting the flag my brothers are brought home under dying for is disrespecting the death of every veteran who has never came home on his own two feet.
Poppycock. They are KIDS. They were taught disrespect, non-patriotism, and cockiness by the adults. Shameful. Defund their high school football program’s funds. That’ll teach ‘em.
Yeah, proud of those black racists, huh? We got it.
For course you think your go to racist rant will make people back off. Just in case you forgot we were discussing what were the entitled youths protesting again?
You do no even know what they were protesting. These young punks were obviously protesting our nation and its flag. You are most-likely a Demonicrat and by the number of down votes have been DEPORTED.
So you’re black?!
They can “take a knee” in the locker room. What makes you such an “expert” in knowing they “didn’t cause any harm? Little disrespectful @$$hats. I suspect you’re nothing more than a gaslighter. Well done, if that was your intent…mission accomplished.
For those who have served, fought and many died defending this great country, disrespecting the National Anthem, using it as a political protest is reprehensible and those participating should be expelled from school. To me it’s that serious. If you don’t understand that, you have never had to fight for your life to keep the flag up. They were raised to disrespect this country. It’s a shame.
People who came to the game and took time out to show support for the team most likely didn’t come to witness a protest. All who came, stood in the stands, removed their hats, and placed their hand over their hearts undoubtably didn’t expect this.Also noted, most of the players were standing and showing the respect our great country deserves.
Despite all its flaws, America is still the greatest nation on earth.
Let me know of another nation that is greater. I’ll wait.
Leave, Comrade.
It was a personal attack against the United States of America.
You, like the low IQ football players are an insult to this country.
As you can see, not all the players protested. Those that did should have been removed from the game and not allowed to play. It’s not fair to the rest of the team that a few players were allowed to disrespect the flag.
It’s up to their teammates to tell the garbage pieces of garbage to get up off of the ground! I don’t think any of them have been abused or beaten by police. Neither was Kaepernick. Plus, we don’t see police beating people up now we see flash mobs of their friends, and probably the same dealers stealing from stores.
Kaepernick wore clothing saluting communist Castro. He is filthy scum. I would blame these kids’ parents but most of them have no more idea who their daddy is then their mammies do.
I agree. Bench them.
Essentially, free speech is everyone’s right, but what exactly were these students protesting? This is a game not a political agenda, it’s not a time to show off. They should have removed them from the game and sent them to lockerroom. It may sound harsh but they should be barred from school sports for the rest of the year.
If I were the coach…..those players who took a knee will also take a seat for the entire game. No respect? No play!!!
The “National Anthem”
should not be played at any sports events, in my opinion. Sports and Arts are the only thing we have that unites people and an anthem of any kind further divides us. Human race is the only race.
The National Anthem did not divide us. Those who indoctrinate our kids by spewing revised history are the ones who have divided our country. Those same Marxists are trying to convince our kids that everything is about race, gender, class, sexual desires, antisemitism, and open borders. We, as a nation, had made great progress minimizing racial and class bias. Then the Marxist “brain-washers” started making everything about race and giving false information to get some people to “buy in” to the lies. They cleverly foisted the lie to some people that since 1620 we had kidnapped, bought/sold and shipped slaves to this country.
They conveniently forgot to tell people that there was no America from 1620 until 1776. The nations of Spain, Portugal, France, Great Britain, Denmark, and the Netherlands created and colonized this country. THEY were the nations that committed the terrible enslavement of Africans, Irish, captured Native Americans, and others forced to travel here.
Those aforementioned nations disrespected the Native Americans, NOT the US. By the time we won the Revolutionary War and established our own Constitution, it was the mid 1780s. The US quickly started to change things because the US was one of the first nations in the world to outlaw the importation of slaves. 50 years later, half a million Americans Died in the Civil War to end slavery. The Democratic South “forgot” to tell the slaves they were free after the Civil War and it took more than 2 years before the Union Generals could travel all over the south to tell all the slaves that they were liberated from those democratic plantations. The Star Spangled Banner did not commit any acts of racism nor show any bias. Those who misled people with a motivation to split this nation are guilty and they should pay for their treasonous efforts.
That was well said!!! Good for you. Your remarks should be on the front page of local papers.I never realized that it was the nations who created and colonized America etc. Profound reading! This message must be spread!
It was not the “nations” who created or colonized America, it was those who wanted to escape the nations.
How poorly our children and some adults have been educated by the public school system that they don’t know how the USA was founded. It’s very sad.
they teach rap in public school now
The “half million” who died to end slavery deserve any such reparations. Negros have been feeding on the teat of America for far too long.
Really? Want another freebie. Should not really listen to those who don’t want you to claim your self worth and dignity by working for what you get.
Accomplishments on your own accord can do so much for your overall self actualization.
I think you made a mistake, For decades Marxists have been picking away at America about everything. Disrespecting America by Negros is simply more of the same, attempting to exploit white women’s emotionally driven stupidity.
good little dupe / useful idiot
What an absurd comment.
That is some woke sheist. Players should have been instructed by the Refs and Coaches to stand during the National Anthem or leave the field immediately.
Tell you some other things that divide Americans – laws against rape, robbery, theft, vandalism,, running red lights, speedjng, DWI’s, et al.
You want to be allowed to rape and rob and vandalize and kill someone while DWI?
wake up and read the news. There are folks who rape, rob and kill. Do you not think they feel entitled?
There’s a continent where that’s happening right now, want to try how that goes?
This comment works two ways for me.
What an Idiot !
You mean common sense and structure will divide the civilized and the savages?
I agree with your statement that there is only one race. The human race. But as Americans we should be able to celebrate patriotism. That is my opinion, and I do respect yours and can see where you are coming from.
Of course you are too stupid to know that you are an idiot. You no loyalty to anything but yourself!!! I would not want you watching my back on the street or in combat
Both environments I have spent enormous time in. A scumbag like you would have been crushed in my neighborhood, and you would have been beaten so badly in my units there would have been major investigations if found out about outside my units. Just pure scum!!!
Heil, Comrade
Ninjas acting like savages, they get what the deserve.
BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REMAIN STANDING DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM OR GO TO THE LOCKER ROOM< CHANGE INTO YOUR CIVIES AND GO HOME UNTIL YOU GROW UP.
I don’t think they’ll ever outgrow that mentality, I’m reading posts here that still reflects that sentiment now.
Take me as is honorable as kneeling for prayer!!!
I’m guessing, neither of the officials were ever in the military because anyone who fought, will tell you they fought for people’s right to protest. Their patriotism is false patriotism.
Plus, if they had read flag etiquette, they wou K d know that it says standing or kneeling are proper.
You clearly have no clue what you are talking about I was in the military and couldn’t disagree with you more. There is no etiquette where kneeling during the national anthem is appropriate. You have no clue what you are talking about. Nobody fought for people to disrupt entertainment venues to push their anti American rhetoric.
None were kneeling (a position taken on BOTH knees) … they were genuflecting (a position taken on ONE knee, hence taking A knee [singular]. Words have meanings.
They didn’t kneel to “honor” what the flag stands for…they knelt because they are pieces of crap who only do it because they DISRESPECT what it stands for…more indoctrinated “baby commies” spreading division and hate..,they should have been marched off the field and their uniforms taken away…
There is a time to stand. A way to protest.
This was a time to stand. You stand you honor all those that died so you have a right to protest in proper ways and time.
Mary, Mary quite contrary.
Was that from kopaerneck book of flag disrespect etiquette?
The writer of this article poses questions way beyond the realm of his expertise — worse yet he interjects his emotions and the ‘proper’ way to respond – I’ll stand toe to toe and debate his sense of propiety.
Let me say this —
this is the Flag you work under
this is the Flag that represents you and every other American
It is NOT open to debate- you either stand up for it and defend it or face the wrath of the millions who will not let you steal our Freedoms
What state was this ?
The state of anarchy.
The state of anarchy, the state of confusion, and the sad state of affairs descriptions belong to new jerk (york) state, which is ruled by an incompetant equivalent to joe “Depends” biden.
My dad flew 52 bombing missions over Germany to help keep our country safe. This type of sacrifice is alien to these protesters. These ignorant buffoons have no idea of honor, valor, or integrity. This type of behavior is being taught in schools and gives these wayward kids a completely distorted view of life. I stopped watching all sports when it became a political exercise.
God Bless your father for his service to our Country.
First amendment rights were fought for and won for ALL USA citizens to exercise, not just when it fits your view of patriotism aka jingoism.
Apparently they don’t respect the TAX PAYER FUNDING either.
No Diplomas or scholarships for them either
I totally agree
When the Olympic Games began, nations set aside their differences, even during wars, to focus on a common unity free from disruptions. During these moments of clean competition, people could transcend their divisions. Shame we have to continually live in our separations. Of course, that is what Satan prefers for us to do.
It appears your lack of knowledge about the history of the Olympics is showing.
The games have always had political under tones that the less observant people don’t notice.
The very nature of the athletes representing a country is a very obvious political statement.
If you want politics out of the Olympics, then all the athletes should represent themselves and not a country when competing.
You apparently missed the opening statement. “When the Olympics Games began”. Did you mean the original in Greece or the restart in France?
These punks have no idea how good they have it nor how many people sacrificed their lives so that they may have their little tantrum
It’s disrespectful plain and simple .
The refs should be fired or not allowed to participate any longer. Their act of “protest” interfered with play… the act of peacefully kneeling DOES NOTHING TO INTERFERE WITH PLAY… Statements are one thing, interference with the event itself is not only disrespectful, it could also be considered criminal since people PAY to host these events.
Nice try equating your childish feelings w/ actual protests of substance. Maybe read a book or something an then try again.
The tile of your rag couldn’t be more accurate.
You sound like a smart aleck little twerp…go home and sit on your mommy’s lap and suck your thumb…
Thumb ?
Having enjoyed a FULL year in which to consider this response ………………..
Clearly we disagree with you. The entitled kneelers are not favored and you see when refs are not there, the games can’t go on. So the entitled kneelers who do not know the first thing of how being disadvantaged really feels like will have a rude awakening as they go through their lives if they keep their tudes up. Positivity pays, negativity negates upward mobility.
The refs should be fired for interfering w/ play. The players peacefully kneeling does nothing to interfere w/ play. Not only is it disrespectful, it’s also likely criminal since people pay money to host these events. Your opinion peace is just that an opinion, unfortunately for you, not a very well-though-out one at that.
It’s disrespect for the country, and the men and women responsible for the children’s freedom. The correct response would have been an automatic forfeit.
Personally, if I were the coach, I would forfeit the game. Police brutality comes at the hand of those assassinating our police officers. That is police brutality….
Yes these people have the right to make a statement. the problem comes from so many is that they make their statement without having all the facts. yes it is hard to get at the truth. no one ever said that freedom is ever easy. looking at our history should be proof of that. showing disrespect to our nations flag shows only ignorance. They take the easy way to voice their opinion. Just what is their opinion? it isn’t clear is it. showing disrespect sends what message? instead of standing up in front of a camera and voicing that opinion in clear terms so that you may receive other opposing views you choose a silent demonstration that can mean many things. We see so many that are willing to show displeasure but wont stand upon their opinions against dissenting views. clearly a cowards way to protest. Do they think that their message was received? What message was it? If we ask the multitude how many will know? Clearly their actions are nothing but parrot like actions that come from media telling them what message they want the people to hear. being the football, baseball, actor, or politician doesn’t make you omnipotent with godlike powers of persuasions. Just as skin color or gender offer no viable reasoning or solution to any argument. I think the ref’s offered clearer message than the teams players. the multitude knew what their objections were. Freedom of speech is our nations greatest asset. it is worthless unless used with wisdom becomes an act of futility. A good argument is knowing what you want to say and have the proof to back it up. This becomes the only fruitful practice of free speech. the only way its practice will obtain the results that end with a free nation. remember that just repeating the words you hear without doing your research to prove their worth only shows your capacity for truth and your willing to follow. So are you a leader or follower?—- I, Grampa
If they Hate being American they should consider leaving the country to one that fits their needs/values. Most of these kids have no clue what they are protesting or the meaning of respect! How can they when the vast majority have no FATHERS in their home!
Thank goodness the officials could peacefully express THEIR freedoms, which are so effectively symbolized in our anthem
The kneelers lost, even before the game began.
All the officials need to do is record the kneeling players number and toss them from the game. This should not punish the players who stand for the national anthem.
Or how about calling a Holding penalty on the quarterback, if he was one of the kneelers.
A False Start penalty for a defensive player on the bench, if he was one of them.
A Roughing the Kicker penalty on the kicker, if he was one of them.
Football was fun to watch before Kaepernick ruined it, and see where he is now? He’s a “has been.” Just listen to the anthem then play the game. I haven’t watched, nor has my family since he started kneeling.
IT IS ABOUT TIME PEOPLE STAND UP & SHOW RESPECT FOR OUR FLAG WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE COACH ARE THEY OUT TO LUNCH AND JUST STAND BY & DO NOTHING THEY SHOULD BE FIRED?
Those students are protesting something that isn’t even true, that is why its so insulting. I am embarrassed by their stupidity
That sort of display should not be allowed in high school sports. They are there to share a sport and and learn not only a sport but team work and the result of practice, hard work, dedication and sacrifice. Kids taking a knee on the field is a lazy form of protest! You want to make a difference then stand up and do something positive! Besides, look at where that got Kaepernick, now he’s labeled a “political activist” and ruined his career. Value your young school years and wait till your an adult and fully understand the consequences of your actions. Be wise and don’t be a “Colin”
Take a good long look at the knee takers,and come to your own conclusions about them.I would dump the team.
If you have a problem with Police Brutality, you and your team mates should get together, invite the press and demonstrate peacefully in front of either the Police Department or City Hall. It Does Not belong on the Football field. And it certainly should not be done during our National Anthem. It disrespects all the Lives, Limbs, and Mental Health lost by those who defend our Nation. They and their families deserve your Respect, NOT your Disrespect. Before leaving the Field, both Lunardellis’ should have thrown Penalty Flags on both teams for Unsportmenlike Conduct.
December 14th at 3:00pm Eastern Time, Army and Navy take to the football field. Everyone who plays a team sport should watch this game. If you do, you will learn something about Sportsmanship, Sacrifice, and true love of Country. Always at the end of the game, America is the Winner!
The public education system is afoul with the majority of American people, kids can’t read,rite or do simple math. It indoctrinates children into the ideas of socialism and morels.
Sadly most families can’t afford to pay for private schooling for their children. There should be a tax break for those that do.
Public funding should be denied public education.
Schools like the Monroe School should be banned for further play, all sports, funding denied for sports from here on.
Other schools on that schedule should refuse to compete with these communists.
Here is my example. If you went to a foreign country to attend a soccer match and didn’t stand for the anthem Or burned their flag in a protest after the game?
This is disgraceful. These children are ingrates. Perhaps they would like to go to a different country to live and see how people in other countries live and the lack of privileges they have. They need to be grateful for everything they have, especially that they live in the best country in the world. And stop blaming everyone else for everything in their lives that they perceive is discriminatory, unfair, wrong, etc. There are many reasons why things are done a certain way. Sometimes they are unfair, but they need to suck it up and be a better person and work on their own attitude.
Kneeling is disrespectful, period. Has zero to do with anything other than trying to be relevant and woke. Anybody who agrees with people who do this is part of the problems in America today.
Anything done without love is useless.
I am a 21 year veteran of military service.
Those players that took a knee should be permanently banned from high school athletics.
Actions have consequences.
All those kneeling are black. Only the black racists. Everyone else is standing and honoring the flag.
School or Professional Sports is NOT a place for grandstanding, social media protests and look at me being stupid.
Disrespecting the very nation, that makes it possible for anyone to live free and accomplish their dream is bad enough. But then to whine and DIS those that put their lives on the line, and would even save the people that do so, because the police enforce the peace and common law, is plain stupid and thuggish.
FACT: In Metro areas, African-Americans generally shoot or kill each other in a ratio many times far-far worse than police. Look it up and see for yourself.
When will the leaders in the black society step up and teach these kids the truth. There is no “pressing societal issue” with police brutality or with the United States and it’s Constitution that the Flag represents. Look at the perpetrators of crimes and hold them accountable. Show them the truth, the bad guys did the crime, the police are trying to do their jobs but the bad guys and all the crooked leaders in the black population are resisting and causing the real issue. It is not the police. Look in the mirror.
I am so sick of this crap that I’m ’Blacked out’!!! So when are all the white players going to take a knee to protest all the Black on White crime that happens 20 times more?! And when are the police going to protest all the Black brutality on the police!! That’s the real problem.
COULD HAVE EVICTED THE PLAYERS FROM THE GAME AND THEN STAYED TO REF THE GAME!!!
I proudly served my country. I have pledged my life and honor to the Constitution and the flag that represents it. For some ignorant twit to disrespect the flag, and what it stands for, is disrespecting myself and all who have served and died for it.
You may think you are protesting some wrong or other but it is disrespecting all, from the late 1700’s till forever, that have paid, and will pay, the ultimate price defending this country and that flag.
what is this old crap being printed for
National symbols are a small amount of time when we show solidarity as a nation, thankful that we can have civil disagreements and freedom here. If you want to disrespect our nation, leave or form a nation and be prepared to fight and die (civil war).
BEFORE the civil war, as most slave holders kept logs of their slaves. Many of these ledgers are still in existence today. Counting, there was 400,000 Negro Slaves listed, and 600,000 Caucasian slaves listed (see White American Slaves in your search engines.)
Many writers have hit the nail on the head when they stated communist teachings in the schools. The bolsheviks are firmly entrenched and anytime the democrats speak it normally is filled with lies.
How do I know bolsheviks. I am a product of the WW2 Operation Frantic. Unofficial, it commenced in 1942. B17s could not fly the length of German, bomb and then return because the distance was too long. So after bombing they would turn north and land in the fields to be resupplied. This would take 4-8 weeks. Then they would fly south into Germany, bomb and fly to England. My Biological Father on his last mission happens to fly into the same village where he flew in the onset of this operation. When he left, he snatched myself and my mother and flew back to England and then the states. I was placed in a County Foster FARM in Torrance, Ca under the care of my Grandmother, whom I thought was my mother. I lived on this farm until I joined the USMC ANGLICO for 21 year. Spend 1966,67,68 in Vietnam as a NGF. According to my SRB i was assigned to 42 different operations Would call in Naval Guns and as the operation was winding down they would pull our team and place us in another operation. My last three were Hue’ Ford, and Kha Sanh in 68′
One person said to me at one time I did not know what bolsheviks really were. I laid into him Was retired when I have a malfunction with my chute after exiting a jet. Fell 3000 feet through trees etc broke my back but did not sever my nerves. Was in US Naval Hospital Long Beach Ca for 5 years before retirement.
What I am getting at, I saw many of my friends die first hand for GOD, Country and Corps. Some right next to me. So when these little peckerheads think they are doing something great, they should be punished for their actions.
Respectfully submitted
Snake ANGLICO USMC Ret
BoredTrashPanda is guilty of laziness – can’t be bothered to find and publish NEWS stories – this one fizzled out more than ONE YEAR AGO !!
The fake pandemic started 5 yrs ago and people are still dying from the clot shot. There was a coup 4 years ago via a stolen election and it’s rightfully still being talked about. Don’t ever let the Democrat/Globalists haters of America off the hook.
Stand or be removed from the team. Coach did not do his job.
We need more students like the ones who kneeled.
A demented dictator shamefully leads America.
Its military is being used unconstitutionally and nothing to be proud of