Thread: 'Freedom of speech' not guaranteed in NFL

"Zeus" wrote:

"Vikeman" wrote:

It amazes me that in a country where freedom of speech is guaranteed by the United States Constitution, so many people get fired for voicing their opinions.
Believe it or not it is also stated in the Constitution that if the American Government ever becomes too oppressive--it is OUR DUTY to abolish it by any means necessary.
I wish we had the guts our founding fathers did.

The NFL is not the government.
It's a private entity.
And they have ALWAYS fined players/coaches/owners and such who shoot their mouths off to the press.
And it is well within their rights as a private enterprise.

"Freedom of Speech" does not supercede contractual agreements.
Nor should it.

=Z=

I'm quite sure that our founding fathers back in 1776 were considering the future of the National Football league when they wrote the Constitution....Please.

"Vikeman" wrote:

"Zeus" wrote:

"Vikeman" wrote:

It amazes me that in a country where freedom of speech is guaranteed by the United States Constitution, so many people get fired for voicing their opinions.
Believe it or not it is also stated in the Constitution that if the American Government ever becomes too oppressive--it is OUR DUTY to abolish it by any means necessary.
I wish we had the guts our founding fathers did.

The NFL is not the government.
It's a private entity.
And they have ALWAYS fined players/coaches/owners and such who shoot their mouths off to the press.
And it is well within their rights as a private enterprise.

"Freedom of Speech" does not supercede contractual agreements.
Nor should it.

I'm quite sure that our founding fathers back in 1776 were considering the future of the National Football league when they wrote the Constitution....Please.

I never said anything of the such.
But people in this thread are all wrong if they think that players have a right to say whatever the fuck they want about the NFL.
That's just wrong wrong wrong wrong.

=Z=

"Zeus" wrote:

"Vikeman" wrote:

"Zeus" wrote:

"Vikeman" wrote:

It amazes me that in a country where freedom of speech is guaranteed by the United States Constitution, so many people get fired for voicing their opinions.
Believe it or not it is also stated in the Constitution that if the American Government ever becomes too oppressive--it is OUR DUTY to abolish it by any means necessary.
I wish we had the guts our founding fathers did.

The NFL is not the government.
It's a private entity.
And they have ALWAYS fined players/coaches/owners and such who shoot their mouths off to the press.
And it is well within their rights as a private enterprise.

"Freedom of Speech" does not supercede contractual agreements.
Nor should it.

I'm quite sure that our founding fathers back in 1776 were considering the future of the National Football league when they wrote the Constitution....Please.

I never said anything of the such.
But people in this thread are all wrong if they think that players have a right to say whatever the fuck they want about the NFL.
That's just wrong wrong wrong wrong.

=Z=

Exactly, Z.

Playing in the NFL is a choice that one makes. None of these dudes had a gun held to their head when they were signing contracts.

It is a decision they make, and like any decision, it has its consequences.

I don't understand the pity party anyway. NFL players make obscene amounts of money.

Fine me all you want if you're going to pay me millions. I'd be able to afford it.

"SnoBumMN" wrote:

"NodakPaul" wrote:

Freedom of speech applies to people speaking out against government entities, not about privately held corporations restricting negative public comments about the management.
But regardless, I agree 100% with Jared Allen in this case.
The fines are getting silly.

I disagree.

Freedom of speech is not exclusive to political interests.

Our first amendment right to free speech entitles us to express ourselves freely, as long as we aren't infringing on someone else's rights.

If the first amendment only pertained to politics, then film, literature, and other media would be far more censored than they are now.

As far as the NFL goes, these players knew/know the rules when they sign their contract.

Just like any other profession, the argument would be made:

"If you don't like our rules, go find another job."

We are on the same page, but my original quote was poorly worded.
I meant that Freedom of Speech protects us from the government restricting what we can and cannot say, regardless of context.
It does not apply to private entities, as has been stated.

"SnoBumMN" wrote:

"Zeus" wrote:

"Vikeman" wrote:

"Zeus" wrote:

"Vikeman" wrote:

It amazes me that in a country where freedom of speech is guaranteed by the United States Constitution, so many people get fired for voicing their opinions.
Believe it or not it is also stated in the Constitution that if the American Government ever becomes too oppressive--it is OUR DUTY to abolish it by any means necessary.
I wish we had the guts our founding fathers did.

The NFL is not the government.
It's a private entity.
And they have ALWAYS fined players/coaches/owners and such who shoot their mouths off to the press.
And it is well within their rights as a private enterprise.

"Freedom of Speech" does not supercede contractual agreements.
Nor should it.

I'm quite sure that our founding fathers back in 1776 were considering the future of the National Football league when they wrote the Constitution....Please.

I never said anything of the such.
But people in this thread are all wrong if they think that players have a right to say whatever the floop they want about the NFL.
That's just wrong wrong wrong wrong.

=Z=

Exactly, Z.

Playing in the NFL is a choice that one makes. None of these dudes had a gun held to their head when they were signing contracts.

It is a decision they make, and like any decision, it has its consequences.

I don't understand the pity party anyway. NFL players make obscene amounts of money.

Fine me all you want if you're going to pay me millions. I'd be able to afford it.

If I got paid what these guys are getting paid for 6 months of football, I wouldn't be complaining about anything. Not a peep outta me.