Nicklaus: Sports fields not the place for protests

Jack Nicklaus’ opinions carry a lot of weight in the golf world, so it was no surprise that he was asked about the current controversy in the NFL – players not standing for the national anthem – during an appearance for Rolex, one of his longtime sponsors, at the Presidents Cup.

Nicklaus, 77, acknowledged the players’ right to protest and said he wished President Donald Trump hadn’t brought the issue up, but said “there’s a time and a place” to protest, and “I don’t believe the national anthem is the place to do that.”

“I suppose everybody has a right to display their first-amendment rights,” Nicklaus said, according to Golfweek. “I don’t think there is any squawk about that. But I think there is a time and place. I personally don’t think half the fellows that are probably doing it understand what they’re doing. I don’t think that the sporting field is the right place.


Presidents Cup: Articles, video and photos


“I know the President (Donald Trump) got involved in it. Wish he hadn’t. I know some of the owners who probably felt one way had to support their players, so you get a very confusing answer as to what you’ve got.”

One of Nicklaus’ grandchildren, Nick O’Leary, is a tight end for the Buffalo Bills.

“I personally have always felt like, no matter where I went in the world, no matter where I played golf, whenever the national anthem was played for any country I always stood and took my hat off and respected that anthem, and what it was, and what it meant to the people that were there,” Nicklaus said. “Every time the national anthem is played, I get – and I have for 60, 70 years – still get a chill up and down my spine. Every time it’s played. I think it supports, (and) honors, the meaning of people who have given their lives, who have given their time and effort for our country, and they need to be respected for that.”

“It’s a very difficult question to answer when you ask me. Everyone who answers that question cannot properly answer it. They don’t want to disrespect the rights of the kids. And you don’t want to disrespect our country. So how do you answer it?

“Does it tell you that Alejandro Villanueva (the Pittsburgh Steelers lineman – a former Army Ranger – who stood alone on the field while the anthem played, while the rest of his team stayed in the locker room on Sunday) is the best-selling jersey since last Sunday? Does that tell you what people think?”

Nicklaus: Sports fields not the place for protests

Source: Internet

Related Posts

LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Bryson DeChambeau on Dude Perfect video: ‘Times are changing’

Bryson DeChambeau on Dude Perfect – AUGUSTA, Ga. – Count Bryson DeChambeau among those who was surprised Augusta National green-lit the now viral Dude Perfect video. “Everybody was,” DeChambeau said…

Read more
LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Brooks Koepka has inkling of what Tiger Woods faces in return at Augusta National

Brooks Koepka – AUGUSTA, Ga. – Brooks Koepka at least has some semblance of an idea of what Tiger Woods is facing this week at Augusta National. Last year, it…

Read more
LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Fred Couples happy to be getting Tiger Woods texts again at Masters

[ad_1] AUGUSTA, Ga. – Fred Couples has become a regular practice round partner of Tiger Woods at the Masters, but as this year’s tournament approached he didn’t expect to hear…

Read more
LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Collin Morikawa much better at making golf history than recalling it

[ad_1] Collin Morikawa wants to make history. Remembering it, however, is a different story. Morikawa won two majors, the PGA Championship and The Open, prior to turning 25. He’s the…

Read more
LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Watch: Masters tweets video of Tiger Woods’ Sunday practice round

[ad_1] Tiger Woods arrived at Augusta National on Sunday afternoon after tweeting that competing in the 86th Masters Tournament would be a “game-time decision.” Woods, around 3:20 p.m. ET, warmed up…

Read more
LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Drive, Chip and Putt recap: Bubba Watson fan Autumn Solesbee among winners

[ad_1] AUGUSTA, Ga. – Waiting for Autumn Solesbee under the iconic oak tree behind Augusta National’s clubhouse was Bubba Watson. As a former Masters champion, Watson has become a regular…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *