The Northland Pioneers Are Being Vilified For Something They Didn't Even Do
?
The Northland Pioneers are under fire in thier home town Thief River Falls, MN over allegedly disrespecting the national anthem as a team before a game a couple weeks ago against Fergus Falls. It was their last home game of the season. It was also senior night. A day that should be cherished forever by these coaches and players, not chastised.
I'm aware it's a sensitive topic right now in America when an athlete or team decides to sit or kneel for the national anthem. And everyone has their right to express how they feel when that situation happens. But they don't in this situation. Because the situation never happened. And Northland's players and coaches are being crucified for something they didn't do.
Due to the weather conditions, the team's entire routine except kickoff was pushed back 10 minutes that day. The team was in the locker room praying as one when the anthem began, but they were unaware it had started. As they made their way out they realized it had started. So instead of walking out and disrespecting the national anthem as it was playing, they waited until it was over to take the field. The irony. A team being accused of disrespecting the anthem, made an adjustment on the fly to do the best they could to respect it.
That should be the end of the story, right? Just a little misunderstanding. But it went way deeper than that. I was informed of just how bad things escalated because I personally know 6 members of the Northland Pioneers football team.
The story was originally posted on the website ThiefRiverFallsPoliceReport. They were met with a wave of disgusting and pure evil rants of hatred. Some donors of the football program decided they would no longer support them. There was even a theory that the black members of the team forced the white players to participate in a protest, that didn't even happen. The comments rolled in:
"Disgrace to college"
"Pull scholarships" (they aren't on scholarship)
"Hoodrats"
"Direspectful little fuckers"
"Entitled jerks"
"Pull pell grants" (not the team's call)
"Stop recruiting players from the hood"
"Trash"
"Entitled pricks"
"Niggers"
That's what this team was called for something they didn't even do. But instead of lashing back, again with class they kept silent because they knew the truth. They didn't fight hate with hate. Which is a testament to the great job by the coaches and the high character of the players.
But since we're here..... let me tell you about a few of these "hoodrats", "trash", and "niggers" as a select few of the community so elegantly put it. I've been knowing a few of them for quite a while. They just don't quite fit the narrative these bigots would like to paint them as. You see I was part of a prep program in Louisiana a few years ago that is no longer playing football. This is how I met these men.
Donny Boutee- College gradute. Outstanding coach on both sides of the ball. An offensive line and defensive line Einstein. He has a bright future and it's just beginning. Even though he's just a few years younger than me, he still uses "yes,sir" and "no,sir" when addressing me. A product of Acadiana high school in Lafayette. He epitomizes the school's toughness and determination. This won't be the last article you read his name in. Because he'll be coaching big time college football in time.
Seth Johnson- Student. Loves the game. Consumed by it. Young enough to play. Smart enough to coach. And he's still trying to do both. In the time I've known Seth, I've seen him hurdle more obstacles than most. But because he's a strong believer in a higher power and knows through that higher power and hard work, the sky is the limit for him. And he's right. You'll also see his name coaching big time college football someday.
Anthony Priestly- I'm ashamed to admit this, but one of the dumbest decisions I've ever made with any football team, was after the first tryout of that prep team and told Anthony he didn't make it. Time passed and a few guys didn't show dedication. So I called Anthony back. I was hoping he could come fill a hole. I was wrong again. He didn't just fill a hole. He took over the #1 spot at RB on what was going to be our depth chart before our season was cut short before it even began. I don't know if I've seen a player believe in himself quite like Anthony. All I know is that someday this guy will be the best at whatever he chooses.
Kendal Sylvester- I'll be honest. For a guy his size, you wouldn't know he's around unless he's playing football. A little quiet, reserved and respectful. You could bet that when Kendal had something to say, it was worth hearing. Matured way beyond his years. If you looked at both of our social media posts, you'd think he's the adult and I'm the college kid. Strong presence. Carries this quiet confidence that will make him successful long after football is over.
Davante August- On the field, he's hotter than a pawn shop pistol. Tenacious, hard working athlete. The epitome of what a football player should be. Off of the field, he's the epitome of the class clown. Fun to be around. The kind of guy that draws a crowd towards him because of his comedic personality. Has the perfect skill set to be an amazing recruiter. If he chooses that path, some college football team will bring in gems because of him. He could sell bottled water to a school of catfish.
Damian Francis- Always bets on himself. Isn't afraid of failure. He actually invites it at times because he knows it'll make him better at whatever he's chasing. He's been told he can't do things his whole life and he's done them all. And he'll continue to do so.
These are the young men that are being crucified by a community that doesn't even attend the damn games. The student body supports the team whole heartedly and that's what makes up the crowd in attendance. So for that, I must tip my hat to the student body as well. Because in the middle of the wave of hate, they tried to explain what really happened. And they continued to support their team. And fans like that are all any team needs.
I'd sit here and say we need to sit down and talk about issues in this country. But that's been said repeatedly and it's never happened. But if we aren't going to sit and talk about it, at least ask yourself why must you carry around so much hate? What are the benefits? Do you want to spend your life with hate towards another group, only to die as the person who never blossomed in character? Because that same hate that you carry around subconsciously every day, caused you to hate a football team who never did anything wrong.
I'm not sure if donors will change their minds about helping fund the program. So here is a Go Fund Me link for anyone who may be interested in donating to the football program.
[Click here to support Northland Pioneers Football by Derek Leger]
