That was a cracker! The Bills ravaged the Broncos in their wild-card game. Their quarterback was electrifying, with 2 touchdowns and completing 20 out of 26 passes. But wait. Some of his actions before the game are drawing flak. But the question is, what exactly happened?

No matter how big of a player you are. You shouldn’t ever forget your duties as a US citizen. And that too when your country’s national anthem plays out loud in front of thousands. But it seems like Bills QB Josh Allen forgot his responsibilities. It happened when former “The Voice” contestant Bella Denapoli sang the national anthem during Sunday’s wildcard kickoff at Highmark Stadium. Yeah, that’s right. Allen was caught on camera not having his hand over his heart during the US national anthem.

Instead of following the basic etiquette of a responsible citizen. Allen’s head was down with hands by his side in a way that didn’t go down well in front of America. Let’s just say fans were quick to call out the Bills for the way they presented themselves in front of a national anthem, “Half the dang football players wouldn’t even put their hand over their heart to show respect for the national anthem and flag. @NFL That’s just pitiful.” You know, this isn’t expected of a player like Josh Allen’s calibre. He is supposed to be the leader in that locker room. And him pulling this stunt does paint a bad image of the Bills as an organization.

However, Allen isn’t the first one to face America’s wrath with questionable gestures to the US national anthem. Fox broadcaster Michael Strahan had to go through a similar experience to what he did during Fox network’s Veteran’s Day celebration. When his Fox colleagues, including former Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, were standing with their hands over their hearts, Strahan went against the norms. He was at the end of the line at Naval Base San Diego with hands by his side.

And that gesture angered the whole of America, with one Army veteran calling Strahan out for disrespecting his country: “Michael Strahan just disrespected the country that made him. I’m a career Army Infantry Veteran. I wouldn’t have expected anything less from Michael Strahan. I know this. Because I understand he’d NEVER EVER consider deploying to a Hostile Fire Area for something greater than himself.” See, Strahan did end up apologizing after getting heat from all corners of social media. But will Josh Allen or his teammates do the same after what they did on Sunday?

Fans show no mercy to Josh Allen and Co. for disrespecting the US National Anthem

Top Comment by deadoaks

It’s only a punishable offense if it’s in the rules, if not it may be bad form but that’s it.

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Debate

The NFL community has gone all in on the Bills for not following the US National Anthem guidelines. On a day when the nation watched the Bills vs. the Broncos playoff game, Josh Allen and his teammates committed an action that might cause them regret. They didn’t put their hands over their hearts as a form of respect for the National Anthem, and that led one of the fans to call them thugs: “To the thugs still not holding your hand over your heart during the national anthem.” Now, this isn’t the way you want your fans to treat you on social media. But the Bills gesture to the US National Anthem was just too much for the fans not to criticize.

There was this fan who had enough of NFL players disrespecting their country, “All NFL coaches, players and staff should put their hand over their heart during the National Anthem! Period! No excuses! In fact, I believe EVERYONE should do it!” This fan even urged the NFL to fine those who don’t respect the flag from now on: “The NFL should have a policy that fines every coach and player that doesn’t put their hand over their heart.” 

He even called for those fines to be donated to the country’s veterans, who actually care about the nation, “The money collected from these fines should then be donated to organizations that sincerely help our Veterans.” So, here’s the question: Will the fans’ voices go unnoticed in the eyes of the NFL? Or will they really punish the Bills for their controversial gesture to the national anthem? What do you think?