When we think about the Superbowl, usually three things come to mind — the teams who will be in it, the party we will be at, and the commercials we will watch. We all know about the commercials; everyone loves to watch Superbowl commercials for their sheer stupidity and comedic value. I sometimes wonder if that is the only reason why people watch the game.

What you may not know is that Superbowl commercials are hand-picked by the NFL and only approved to air on live television when the head of advertising for the NFL has given consent. Interestingly enough, more commercials are vetoed then actually put on air.

Once again the NFL vetoed another commercial, but this one has raised lots of controversy — an advertisement submitted by a United States veterans group called AMVETS who fought in Afghanistan.  This commercial addressed the ever so popular issue that plagued the NFL during the 2017-2018 season. Yes, I am talking about the players kneeling for the National Anthem in an attempt to protest what they believe is a racist climate in America. Veterans took offense to the act of kneeling in the sense that the anthem is about America’s success in the revolutionary war, and kneeling for that was offensive to the people who currently fight and have fought for the US.  

The ad displayed soldiers holding and saluting a large United States flag. At the bottom, it gave a QR code for a donation website for a veterans healing fund, and at the top were the words “#PleaseStand,” and the NFL supported the players and teams who chose to kneel for the anthem.

But, here lies the major problem with the NFL. The act of kneeling shows blatant disrespect, dishonor, and flippancy towards those who have devoted their entire lives in order to serve and protect this country. People who fight for the United States in war should be the most highly regarded group of individuals that this nation honors because of every sacrifice they have made to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every United States citizens. Even if the kneeling is not purposefully against the military, the soldiers in question took offense to the kneeling and to the ad being rejected, and that feeling should not be ignored.

You may ask why. So let me tell you. Soldiers provide safety at the borders and against foreign countries that pose threats, as well as protect our ability to have a luxurious lifestyle for the majority of citizens. The amazing benefits you experience every day are protected by dedicated soldiers willing to give their lives to protect you. Knowing this, I find it absolutely disheartening that people are willing to disrespect their own safety mechanism and tarnish its reputation, at least in the eyes of AMVETS.

It’s extremely disturbing to know that the only reason those people who protest the United States and, albiet unintenionaly, the military are allowed to do so freely is because the right to freedom of speech, protected by the military. If those people went to any other country without the freedom of speech in their constitution and did this, they would get tortured or killed by the military. While that may be extreme, this right is not guaranteed for everyone and every country. It is a horrible thing to think about when you are aware of the fact that there are people in this country who are freely willing to disrespect, either intentionally or unintentionally, the very people who died for their freedom. The people who gave up their lives to go and fight for the American dream. The people who allow us to have all the necessities we need every day. The people who are willing to give up their passions in life to serve others and let them live out their passions.

So after hearing all this, many people still may believe that it is patriotic to protest, thinking kneeling for the National Anthem is a sign of progress. Here is my message to you: it is utterly atrocious what you are doing. Start respecting your military. Start actively promoting the health of veterans and current military soldiers who fight for our freedom. The same heart and passion you put in for creating change should be put into respecting and supporting the military.

You should be offended that the advertisement for the Superbowl was rejected, because it is a dishonorable attitude towards our soldiers. If it’s the least you can do, please stand. Stand with all those who know what the military has done for us. Please stand with me. Fight for our Veterans and our Military.