The NFL signs it's own death warrant: NFL Commissioner Caves to Players: Will Not Require Standing for Anthem

Neither Goodell nor the players association understand what's going on.  Both are complicit in this.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell signaled last week that a change in policy regarding standing for the national anthem would be approved by team owners at the annual fall meeting next week.

But the players and their allies in the media pushed back -- hard. Now it appears that Goodell and the players union will codify a policy that will allow kneeling or any other protest during the playing of the anthem. And the league will justify it by using the NFL brand as a "platform to both raise awareness and make progress on issues of social justice and equality in this country."

In other words, a total, complete cave to the players.

First, objective evidence shows that the players concerns with police brutality are bunk.  That should have been Goodell's first and strongest argument.

Second, the fans have spoken.  They find the player's protests to be childish at best, and dishonest and hateful at worst.  These players are paid more than 99.9% of the fans could dream of making, enjoy fame, and in all ways are given every benefit of the doubt. Maybe that's whats making them arrogant on all this.  

As the ancient Greeks wisely pointed out, hubris like this inevitably leads to nemesis. 

And the old time Hebrews weighed in with "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

The NFL just needs to go away.  It can be replaced with a new league of chastened owners and players, who can appreciate and respect the culture and country that gives them the opportunity to thrive, if they do their part.