VFW Post #3345 not showing Cleveland Browns games
Sign put up in response to players kneeling during the national anthem
This sign stating the displeasure with Cleveland Browns players kneeling during the national anthem is displayed in front of VFW Post 3345 in Strongsville. The Post will not show Browns games this fall in response. Photo by TERRY BRLAS
STRONGSVILLE – There are many places to watch the Cleveland Browns on Sundays this fall. VFW Post 3345 in Strongsville is not one of them.
In response to a number of Browns players kneeling during the national anthem prior to the team’s Aug. 21 preseason home game versus the New York Giants, the VFW’s leadership has taken the stance of not showing Cleveland games this season.
A portable sign in front of the Strongsville Boulevard Post reads, “We love our Browns – we love our flag more. Your games will no longer be shown here. God Bless America!”
“The way we look at it is they were disrespecting what this country stands for. They are disrespecting the flag and the country we fought for,” said VFW Post #3345 Commander Tim Zvoncheck. “You are entitled to your opinion, but that’s not the place or the time to do it. You are being paid to do a job, you’re not being paid to protest. On behalf of all veterans it’s appalling what’s going on.”
Zvoncheck hopes other VFWs and American Legions will follow suit in not televising Browns games.
“If we stop televising the games and stop supporting those who sponsor these events that’s going to make a clear statement,” he said. “I don’t know what this is going to do, but if I do nothing I know it’s not going to do anything. We just won’t stand for it. If the VFW doesn’t take the lead in this, who will?”
In response to a number of Browns players kneeling during the national anthem prior to the team’s Aug. 21 preseason home game versus the New York Giants, the VFW’s leadership has taken the stance of not showing Cleveland games this season.
A portable sign in front of the Strongsville Boulevard Post reads, “We love our Browns – we love our flag more. Your games will no longer be shown here. God Bless America!”
“The way we look at it is they were disrespecting what this country stands for. They are disrespecting the flag and the country we fought for,” said VFW Post #3345 Commander Tim Zvoncheck. “You are entitled to your opinion, but that’s not the place or the time to do it. You are being paid to do a job, you’re not being paid to protest. On behalf of all veterans it’s appalling what’s going on.”
Zvoncheck hopes other VFWs and American Legions will follow suit in not televising Browns games.
“If we stop televising the games and stop supporting those who sponsor these events that’s going to make a clear statement,” he said. “I don’t know what this is going to do, but if I do nothing I know it’s not going to do anything. We just won’t stand for it. If the VFW doesn’t take the lead in this, who will?”