The NFL’s new “no anthem kneeling” rule came into effect during the first week of the season. Initially, there seemed to be little recourse for those who took a knee, especially if the coach allowed it. However, this week marked a significant shift. The league empowered referees to eject players for unsportsmanlike conduct, with penalties enforced at the conclusion of the opening kickoff.
In a game in Buffalo, a kickoff resulting in a touchdown was nullified, with the ball returned to the 3-yard-line where it was caught. Right Guard Joe Barron, known for his kneeling protests, was promptly ejected from the game. Referee William Vanden Boom remarked, “It’s the only way these guys will learn; you have to hit them where it hurts most.”
Vanden Boom’s assertion is not unfounded. Each ejected player faces substantial fines from both their team and the league, potentially amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, all for what is perceived as a “protest.”
Sports analyst Tara Newhole, known for her expertise on ALLOD Sportsball and her past relationship with Vanden Boom’s ex-girlfriend, Sandy Batt, didn’t mince words. Dismissing critics of age differences in relationships, she defiantly stated, “Sandy could watch football and pound Miller Lite like no other, so screw all of you.”