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NFL Players Have the Right to Protest – but Here’s the Other Side of the Story

Yes, people are still talking about the NFL. On Tuesday, 11 NFL team owners and representatives standing in for players met to try to untangle the controversy over protests on the field. While they didn’t reach a specific deal in the huddle, both sides called the meeting “productive.”

On today’s show, Pat and Jeffy opened up the phone lines while sitting in for Glenn to invite discussion about the topic of kneeling in protest, which continues to be controversial.

Caller Robert from Alabama clarified that people have a right to protest in this country as long as they are not being violent or breaking the law.

NFL team owners now have to figure out how to mitigate damage to their business if players keep protesting and it alienates fans.

“They also have the responsibility to suffer the consequences, whatever they may be,” Pat added. “As ratings go down and they continue to anger more and more fans, it’s going to affect the bottom line.”

Jeffy pointed out that it’s an issue of perception as well. Some people will always see the protest as a form of disrespect for the flag and the national anthem, regardless of what the players intend to say by kneeling.

This article provided courtesy of TheBlaze.

PAT: Where there are bad cops, it seems they are coming to justice. When cops are exonerated, in some cases, there are good reasons for it. A jury heard out the evidence, weighed the evidence, and found in favor of the cop. I don't know what you can do about that. 888-727-BECK.

Robert in Alabama, hi, you're on the Glenn Beck Program.

CALLER: Hey, good morning. Thank you so he so on very much for allowing me to respond.

PAT: Uh-huh.

CALLER: Just listening to you two gentlemen. I just wanted to comment on some concerns that I have.

PAT: Uh-huh.

CALLER: I recall in the Pledge of Allegiance something that specifically said one nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Hence the words, in justice for all. In reference to the national anthem people protesting.

I support it 100 percent. I believe as long as it is a peaceful protest, I'm all for.

PAT: Uh-huh.

CALLER: The concern I have is when my commander-in-chief refer to those gentlemen as SOBs. I think that was very distasteful. I think it was out of order. And sometimes, I think our president has a tendency to antagonize the situation.

But when you're more objective about it, Roger Goodell, the NFL, he knows that if he doesn't get a hold of this whole situation, it's going to be a loss of revenue, not only for the players, but for the owners.

PAT: That's right. Uh-huh.

CALLER: Yeah, so I really feel that we just need to calm down and let the guys protest, as long as it's decent and in order. I don't think it's hurting anything. I was at the Detroit Lions Saints games. And I sat next to some military people. I was on vacation and had a good conversation with them. The Saints, they kneel prior to the national anthem, and they stood along with the Detroit Lions.

PAT: Yeah, I don't have any problem with that.

CALLER: This was just awesome.

PAT: Yeah.

CALLER: But in reference to the past two guests, a sign of disrespect. It's not a sign of disrespect, they have the right to protest, as long as it's in order. And I thank you for allowing me to respond.

PAT: Sure, thanks, Robert.

Sure, they have the right. But then they also have the responsibility to suffer the consequences, whatever they may be. So if the owner says, stop doing it because we're losing revenue -- and you just put your finger on exactly, Robert, what the problem is. There is a problem with it because they're losing revenue.

As ratings go down and they continue to anger more and more fans, it's going to affect the bottom line, of not just the players, but the -- the owners.

JEFFY: Because whether it's true or not, it's perceived as disrespect for America.

PAT: Right. That's right.

JEFFY: Whether it's true or not. So when you have that perception, do something to change it, or have a nice day.

PAT: And in this society, you do have the right to protest. But there's certain conditions.

For instance, when you're affecting somebody's business. And that's what they're doing.

JEFFY: And we said -- look, when you're off and we're not at practice and you want to go down on the street corner and protest, go ahead.

PAT: Do what you want. Do what you want.

Yeah. As long as long as it's -- if I'm an owner, I'm telling them, yes, you're free to do whatever you want on your off time. But when you're on the playing field and you're representing this team and my business and you are in front of my customers, you've got to act a certain way, especially when you're being paid ten or $15 million to do it.

JEFFY: And while the NFL certainly has other limitations on what the other players can wear.

PAT: Yes, they get fined.

JEFFY: They get fined all the time.

PAT: Anything not approved by the NFL --

JEFFY: Right. Gone. Have a nice day.

PAT: Yeah.

JEFFY: I mean, even the one big example they use is, after the police shootings here in Dallas, the Cowboys wanted to wear stickers to represent the police officers.

PAT: Were told no. Yeah, they were told no. Five police officers were -- were murdered. And they still couldn't do a tribute to them. Yeah, sorry. Right. So it is a business.

JEFFY: Maddening.

PAT: And in a business, you have to act a certain way. If your employer tells you to do something, it's a really good idea to do it. If he tells you not to do something, it's a really good idea not to do it. If you value your employment.

JEFFY: Right.

PAT: Now, once you've been fired and you're not making that money anymore and you're not representing that business anymore, do what you want whenever you want. Go ahead. Knock yourself out.

JEFFY: Or if you start working someplace and you realize, you know, I'm not happy with what you expect of me. Get another job.

PAT: Exactly right. It seems simple to me.

JEFFY: It sure does. It sure does. We all have had jobs that we've quit, for one reason or another. Whatever reason that is. You have the job. You have the employment. And you realize, look, it's either better across the street, or I don't want to do what this job asks of me. I'm going to do something else.

PAT: And it seems like the Saints have a pretty good system where they kneel before the anthem, and then to show respect for the military people serving, the song, they stand. I think that's great. If your owner is cool with that, keep doing it. If not, maybe you stop. It's not that hard.

JEFFY: It's not. And it changes the perception.

PAT: Yes. Yes.

And you do have the constitutional right to do -- again, it's not about that. It's not about that. Because you also have certain responsibilities to keep your job. You don't have the right to do whatever you please in the confines of your job. Changes things a little bit.

JEFFY: It sure does.

PAT: There's certain things I can't say right now. Well, what about my First Amendment rights? I can't scream the F word over and over if I want. Well, yes, I could.

JEFFY: Yes, you could.

PAT: And then I wouldn't be back for the next break. So...

We make certain concessions in this society.

JEFFY: Right.

PAT: To be civilized people.

JEFFY: And if that happens, I'm taking a knee.

PAT: If I got fired for screaming the F-word?

JEFFY: I won't stand for it, Pat.

PAT: That's beautiful, thank you.

THE GLENN BECK PODCAST

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Alex Jones recounts his experience of covering the events of September 11, 2001 and why the events from that day still raise questions today. Two decades later, Americans still wonder: How much did our government really know?

Watch Glenn Beck's FULL Interview with Alex Jones HERE

THE GLENN BECK PODCAST

The Shroud of Turin and the Moment of Resurrection - Why Scientists are BAFFLED!

For centuries, the Shroud of Turin has baffled scientists and inspired believers. In this powerful conversation, Glenn Beck and Dr. Jeremiah Johnston explore the evidence — from carbon dating controversies to the face that appears only in photographic negative. Could this ancient linen be the very burial cloth of Jesus Christ, capturing the moment of resurrection itself? If science can’t explain it… what does that mean for faith?

Watch Glenn Beck's FULL Interview with Dr. Jeremiah Johnston HERE

RADIO

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Glenn Beck and Stu Burguiere unpack JD Vance’s viral response to a potential 2028 Vance-Rubio presidential ticket, where Vance praises Rubio as his “best friend” and credits Trump’s “grand strategy” for the administration’s success.

RADIO

Unveiling the secret to transforming angry boys into real men

The world has a plentiful, seemingly endless supply of angry boys. What it's lacking is real MEN. Glenn Beck shares the secret that our young men must learn if they truly want to protect and perfect our country.

Transcript

Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors

GLENN: There's a difference between a revival and an awakening. We are in a revival right now, but that doesn't necessarily lead to anything. Except, oh, I have to re-learn those principles. But that doesn't mean you apply them in your life. Okay?

That's an awakening. There's been two great awakenings in American history. One brought us the American Revolution. The second one brought us the Civil War and the freedom of slaves.

We have the possibility of going into a third great awakening. That's the only thing that will save us. If you don't know the difference between a revival and an awakening. Let me give you the negative print of a godly awakening. Our kids right now, they don't have any purpose. They don't have any meaning.

They look at everything, and it doesn't -- it's not real. None of it is real. It's money. It's fame.

It's -- you know, it's ever changing truths and definitions. And they have no purpose in their life. Okay?

So they're looking for that. Because man has to have purpose in his life. Man has to search for meaning.

So they're searching for meaning. And they found a group of people that actually mean something. And they're willing to die for it. And it's ISIS.

And so they're like, at least these people believe in something. They believe it. And they're willing to die for it. I'm going to stand with them. And they put that twisted understanding into action. That's the -- that is -- that's an awakening. It's just an awakening to the dark side. And that one is already happening. It has to happen on the good side. And let me speak directly to young men: Look, you are inheriting a very loud, angry, cynical and worst of all spiritually starving and malnourished society. And you are being sold a future of cheap pleasures and hollow heroes and screens with blue light that just rob you of your strength, one distracted second after another.

And in the middle of all that noise, may I just give you one piece of instruction. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report or praise-worthy, seek those things.

Don't admire them. Don't nod at them. Seek them!

Hunt them. Chase them. Build your life around those things. A man who will do that. A boy. A young man who will do that, will become different. Noticeably different.

He will stop letting the culture feed him garbage. He stops applauding the trivial. He stops laughing at the obscene or cheering for the cruel.

He will become a curator of -- of real, lasting beauty in an age that has forgotten what beauty even looks like.

When other men are chasing down or holding up cynicism, this man holds up hope!

When everyone around him is chasing dopamine, he chooses discipline. When others will blame their circumstance, he'll take responsibility for his own action. When the world worships the shallow, he goes and searches for the deep!

You want to know what the secret of becoming strong is, or becoming trusted, or becoming the kind of man that your future wife, your future children, your future nation can depend on?

Here it is!

You become what you seek. If you seek trash, you become trash. If you seek virtue, you become a man of virtue. You seek excellence, and your life will begin to shine, not loudly, but steadily. Like the steel glow of a blade being forged.

That's who you'll be.

The world has a plentiful, seemingly never-ending supply of angry boys. We don't need any more addicted boys.

We don't need any more distracted boys. The world needs men. Whole men. Clear-eyed men.

Men whose souls are anchored to something higher than the algorithms, trying to own them!

Build a life worthy of admiration. Forget about the applause. Fill your mind with words that make you wiser. Fill your days with work, hard work, that makes you stronger. Fill your home with beauty that lifts every soul who walks into it.

Have your home a place where people walk in and go, man, I say so great here. I just love it here. I don't know what it is about your house. I just love it. It's the spirit that's there! Because you built it! You protect it.

Protect your integrity like a watchman on the wall. Don't lie. Don't cheat. Don't steal. And when you fail, and you will, stand back up again.

Because a man who seeks the virtuous, is not a man who never fails. He just -- he just becomes a man who refuses to stay on the ground.

If you seek things that are lovely and pure, trustworthy, praiseworthy, you'll become a kind of man this age almost never produces. A man whose very existence is a rebuke to the darkness.

That's your calling. That's why you were born.

Not to be lost. Not to play video games. Not to give up. Not to say, there's no hope. Not to end up in the trash bin of human history because you've -- you've taken so many drugs, you can't stand up straight anymore.

You're not destined to be alone.

You were destined for great things. You are destined to find an amazing woman!

Believe me. I didn't think I would ever find an amazing woman. Because I didn't think I was worth it. I didn't think I was worth it.

And until I started understanding how God works. That, yeah. I'm not worth any of the stuff that I have.

When you realize, it's all a gift. It's all a gift. And even if you work your brains out, you may not ever get all the things that you want. But you're going to have everything you need. Once you realize, carefully selecting friends makes a difference. My mother used to always say, show me your friends. I will show you your future.

It's true. Be careful who you select as friends. Watch your language. Watch what you're putting into your brain and what's coming out of your mouth. Because the brain is so amazing. It's being turned to mush. Did you know that there is a new study that just came out. I have to tell you about it next week, maybe.

New study going out. It is -- it's AI. And it has access to social media, and they have found that the AI -- the AI that is scrolling through social media all day, just to keep updated on everything that's going on in social media. It's getting brain mush. It's actually becoming dumber. It's become less effective!

It's a machine. What do you think this, flesh and blood, this thing is going to do?

We say life is meaningless. And life is the only thing that has any value. And yet, we spend all of our time, on things like social media. And that has absolutely no value.

But we think that's life.

I'm not that smart. I've just lived a long time. And I've made so many mistakes.

And I decided at one point, I'm going to stop saying, it's somebody else's fault. I'm going to start saying. Maybe -- what did I do to create that?

What did I do to attract that?

Why does this thing keep happening to me?

Why is it that I always find myself involved with these same kind of people?

Because, Glenn, dummy, it's you!

What you think, it's like -- it's like think of yourself as a -- as a beacon. It's just -- you're a beacon. Your GPS pin, that is constantly saying, here I am. Here I am. Here I am.

Except, it's transmitting more than just your location. It's -- it's transmitting what you're looking for, who you are. And it's attracting other dropped pins to you. It's saying, "I like this. I think this way. I believe these things. I am afraid of these things."

Whatever it is, you're thinking. It's constantly putting that out.

And saying, here I am. Is there anything else like that?

Anything else that can reinforce that? Anything else that can live like this?

Because that's me. Here I am. Here I am. Here I am.

That's why you keep finding yourself in exactly the same situations. Nothing will change, if nothing changes!

And the only thing that you can change, is you!

Seek the things, that have virtue.

Seek the things, that have beauty in music, in -- in art, in life, in architecture, in clothing! Whatever it is. Look for real, lasting beauty and value.

Find the things that are true! Truly true.

Universally true. Find the things that uplift. Seek those things!

And you will change your life and your world!