Strongsville VFW Refusing To Air Browns Games This Season

As reported earlier this week, a group of Cleveland Browns players protested the National Anthem on Monday Night, choosing rather to take a knee and pray.  A few of the more well-known players were Duke Johnson, Kenny Britt, Jamie Collins, JaBrill Peppers, and Seth DeValve.  Seth would go on later that night to give a very passionate speech explaining things further.  His wise is African American and a lot of the issues hit home with him.

It was only a matter of time before dominoes started to fall in reaction to the protest.  This time, it was the Strongsville VFW that showed their outrage at the show of (in their opinion) disrespect to the American Armed Forces.

While our staff at NEOSI respects the opinions of all, and doesn’t leverage our own personal feelings / agenda’s towards the subject we print, we have the obligation to our loyal readers to continue to report the news, and will do so.

Strongsville VFW Commander Tim Zvoncheck posted a message via Facebook, notifying the media and fans that his Strongsville VFW Hall would no longer air games on Sundays.

“So tonight, I asked the membership of my post, VFW 3345, what they thought of the Cleveland Browns players kneeling during the National Anthem and the coaching staff backing their decision. Just as I suspected, the “boos” nearly tore the roof off. Effective immediately, VFW Post 3345 will no longer televise any Cleveland Browns games! We will never support any person or organization who disgraces the flag or the anthem that we fought for and so many or our brothers and sisters have died for! Until a formal apology by this organization is publicized and the utter disregard to America ceases, we, as veterans of this great country will not stand for this! We love our Browns, but we love our flag more…God bless America and damn those who think differently! #RespectOurFlag”

To their credit, the Browns have done their best to keep things honest and open about the issues going on.  They haven’t hid from it and have taken the high road in many ways.  Browns spokesman Dan Murphy issued the following statement following the protest:

“As an organization, we have a profound respect for our country’s National Anthem, flag and the servicemen and servicewomen in the United States and abroad. We feel it’s important for our team to join in this great tradition and special moment of recognition, at the same time we also respect the great liberties afforded by our country, including the freedom of personal expression.” 

Will this continue to happen as the pre-season and season continues?  Time will tell as the Browns travel to Tampa Bay on Saturday Night to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their week three preseason game.