Facts

Restaurant Owners Refuse To Air NFL Games Over National Anthem Controversy

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Taylor Rock|

As players continue to kneel during the national anthem, some restaurants are refusing to show NFL games on their TVs.

Following the Pittsburgh Steelers' decision to stay inside the locker room during the national anthem, CNY Central reports that the owner of Borio's Restaurant in central New York, Marty Borio, has posted a sign at his establishment that reads: "If and when this show of disrespect ends we will be happy to show this product on our restaurant again. America is great we can all make decisions!" 

(Editor's note: Many of the messages in this article contain misspellings and grammatical errors. All have been reproduced faithfully.)

Nearby pub Cooper's Landing joined Borio's in the NFL boycott by also refusing to air games in the restaurant. In a Facebook post, the business stated: "Enough is enough its time for these million dollar snowflakes to stop disrespecting the Men-Women-Dogs that signed a blank check for them to act like this Hopefully things will change WE will be airing Baseball-Hockey-Mud-Water & Snow sports with Specials United We Stand."

Additionally, Vincenzo's Pizza in Saugus, California, has cancelled its NFL Sunday Ticket subscription. "We are 100% in favor of free speech and the right to peacefully protest. However, as a family owned business we do not belief that disrespect for the American Flag or for our National Anthem is the way to express those concerns," the owner wrote in a statement. Other known NFL-free locations include: Beef O'Brady's in Beavercreek, Florida; Sarita's Grill & Cantina in Denham Springs, Louisiana; WOW Café in Chalmette, Louisiana; and Baxters Family Food & Fun in Hixson, Texas, among many more.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick began sitting during the pregame playing of the national anthem during the 2016 NFL season, intending the gesture as a protest against police brutality and racial injustice in the United States. While a few other players followed suit, the protest did not become widespread.

Following President Donald Trump's recent fiery comments — "Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, say, 'Get that son of a b—- off the field right now. Out, you're fired" — more and more players, owners, and coaches have begun taking a knee or engaging in other peaceful demonstrations during the playing of the anthem.

It seems likely President Trump might feel very welcome in these restaurants. To find out what they should serve him, check out the different eating habits of presidents Obama and Trump.

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