Locals don’t like the kneeling, but still are watching the games

The Houma-Thibodaux community historically votes Republican and polls show that most right-leaning people are opposed to NFL protests during the national anthem.

But even in opposition, most locals said they aren’t so turned back that they’re turning off their TVs – at least not yet.

The Times walked Southland Mall and Academy Sports and Outdoors this week, in addition to attending a handful of sporting events. While there, we asked fans to give us their thoughts about the protests.

Of the 21 asked, 14 said they wished players would stand for the national anthem, while four said they were supportive of the right to peacefully protest in the USA. The other three said they didn’t have a strong opinion either way.

But 19 of the 21 fans sampled said they still watch the NFL and will continue to do so with just one fan saying he’s boycotting until players are forced to stand. One fan said he doesn’t watch the NFL either way, opting for prep and college ball.

“I wish they’d stand,” Houma native Joseph Verret said. “I get protesting. I understand what they’re doing. But I think kids see it and they do it, too, without doing the right research about why it’s happening. I still watch the games. I think most people still do, too. But I wish there would more discussion about the issues that are causing the guys to protest in the first place.”

Verret elaborated for 20 minutes about the protests outside of Southland Mall. He said he is passionate about the issue because he has children and he doesn’t want them to blindly follow the crowd because of what they see on TV or in movies.

Others shared the same sentiment – even if having different reasons to form their conclusions.

Houma resident Nancy Weston is an Illinois native. She said she’s been a fan of the Chicago Bears her whole life – even once she moved into New Orleans Saints country.

Weston said she has relatives who served in the United States Military – including one who she said was injured in the line of duty.

She said she believes players are not protesting the American flag, but are expressing themselves because of police violence against black people in several incidents around the country over the past several years.

But even while understanding the cause, Weston said she wishes it would come in a different form, adding that by doing so, it would stand a chance of actually unifying people who are currently divided.

“I think the flag and patriotism and different things like that are untouchables for a lot of people,” Weston said. “Maybe if everyone took a knee after they scored a touchdown or maybe if every, single team agreed to have everyone knee before the first play and every game would start with a delay of game penalty, we’d actually raise awareness and get people listening. As long as some think the flag is involved in this, a lot of people will be out altogether. Even if that’s not the right way to think about it or see it. It is what it is.”

Houma native Bryce Williams said he takes no issue with the players kneeling, adding that it’s an American’s right to protest. Williams said he understands that free speech doesn’t offer someone protection in a place of private employment, but added that the NFL has no rules banning the kneeling, unlike in the NBA.

“They’re grown men,” Williams said. “Let them do what they have to do. It’s crazy. Something like 75 or 80 percent of people say they don’t like the direction the USA is headed, but when you try and change something about it, everyone freaks out. For what?”

But others are more bullish on players kneeling or protesting at all.

Bourg native Michael Collins said he believes the protests are bad for sports, adding that he believes players who participate should be suspended.

Collins said he believes the NFL should pass a rule mandating that players either stand for the national anthem or stay in the locker room while it’s played.

“We don’t need to see any of that garbage,” Collins said. “You’re making 50 times more than a teacher or a doctor makes – the real heroes in the country. It isn’t hard to have a little respect.”

Thibodaux native Monica Reese agreed. She said that Colin Kaepernick started the league on a dangerous path.

“He didn’t have the guts to protest before he was rich and famous,” Reese said. “He was trying to generate attention and he ended up taking himself out of the sport altogether.”

But for all the debate on both sides, no one seemed open to the idea of turning off the TV and finding other things to do on Sunday afternoons.

Reese said she watches the Saints every Sunday and will do so for the future.

“The family likes it,” she said.

Others had various teams of particular rooting intestest, but very few expressed interest in moving away from the league.

But Houma native Bobby Tucker was the lone exception.

Of all the people polled, Tucker’s comments about the issues were the shortest winded.

He said two sentences, which spoke loudly.

“If you don’t respect my flag, then I won’t respect you or your sport,” Tucker said. “I used to watch, but I will never watch again.”

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