In a move that has sent shockwaves through the sports world, the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) has announced the cancellation of scholarships for 10 NFL students who were found guilty of the unforgivable sin of kneeling during the national anthem. This bold decision has been met with both cheers and jeers, depending on which side of the stadium you’re sitting in.
The PFATS, an organization known for its commitment to the health and well-being of professional athletes, has taken a decidedly political turn with this latest move. According to sources close to the organization, the decision to revoke these scholarships was made after “extensive review” of game footage, social media posts, and, in one case, a particularly damning TikTok video.
“We have a responsibility to uphold the values that this great nation was built on,” said a PFATS spokesperson at a hastily organized press conference. “And those values include standing for the national anthem, no matter what your personal beliefs may be. Kneeling is a sign of disrespect, and we simply cannot support individuals who choose to disrespect our flag, our country, and by extension, our athletic training programs.”
The response from the NFL community was swift, with some players and coaches expressing outrage at what they see as a gross overreach by an organization that should be focused on ankle tape and ice baths, not patriotism. Others, however, have applauded the move, arguing that it’s about time someone took a stand (or rather, insisted on standing).
