A.J. Hawk (correction) (1 Viewer)

[de Tocqueville]

I know everyone was watching but did anyone actually catch what Clay Matthews Jr. did? When he realized he was on the big screen, he cocked his shoulder back, smirked, and did what we call a "stunt" for the camera. He stunted in a pose during the National Anthem. This pissed me off, especially since I am a disabled vet. Ironic as it was, I was at the VA this morning for routine blood work and the waiting room was abuzz about the Super Bowl since I live not too far from Pittsburgh. Other vets were upset with Christina Aguilera botching the anthem but they were also upset by the fact that Matthews Jr. used the camera during the Anthem to stunt and pose.

 

[The Berry Man]

Immature, but probably not something people need to get upset about.

 

[Jrcwy]

since I live not too far from Pittsburgh.

I wonder if this has anything to do with your reaction? If the failure to maintain a neutral composure during a botched national anthem is a player's biggest character flaw, I'd say he is well ahead of the league's character curve. It is still only the first day of the off season; we can still do much better than this crap.

 

[CrossEyed]

Link?

 

[fatness]

Link?

I couldn't find one. Maybe someone else can. Doesn't seem to be much hub-bub about it.

 

[Multiple Scores]

Sometimes I think people get too caught up in being judgemental. It's a sad reality. Might be time to take care of your own business and let this petty garbage go.

 

[LarryAllen'sJockstrap]

Wait! You're saying that a 24 year old, surfer-boy, multi-millionaire NFL star from So Cal who has his own commercial about his hair is a little self-entitled or egomaniacal? I sir, am SHOCKED.

ETA - I heard Clay on the Dan Patrick show a week or two ago and he came off really down to earth and mature. He completely went along with Dan's jokes and ribbing and seemed like a very decent guy.

 

[Go deep]

Link?

I spotted a Steelers fan!!!!

 

[de Tocqueville]

since I live not too far from Pittsburgh.

I wonder if this has anything to do with your reaction? If the failure to maintain a neutral composure during a botched national anthem is a player's biggest character flaw, I'd say he is well ahead of the league's character curve. It is still only the first day of the off season; we can still do much better than this crap.

I am not from here, I moved here for a job. I despite the Steelers and rooted for the Packers, so no, guess again.

 

[Adebisi]

I see this thread is just packed with respect for veterans. Stay classy, Shark Pool.

 

[Fensalk]

I know everyone was watching but did anyone actually catch what Clay Matthews Jr. did? When he realized he was on the big screen, he cocked his shoulder back, smirked, and did what we call a "stunt" for the camera. He stunted in a pose during the National Anthem. This pissed me off, especially since I am a disabled vet. Ironic as it was, I was at the VA this morning for routine blood work and the waiting room was abuzz about the Super Bowl since I live not too far from Pittsburgh. Other vets were upset with Christina Aguilera botching the anthem but they were also upset by the fact that Matthews Jr. used the camera during the Anthem to stunt and pose.

Just to be clear here, are you referring to Clay Matthews, Jr., or his son Clay Matthews III who currently plays for the Packers?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I know everyone was watching but did anyone actually catch what Clay Matthews Jr. did? When he realized he was on the big screen, he cocked his shoulder back, smirked, and did what we call a "stunt" for the camera. He stunted in a pose during the National Anthem. This pissed me off, especially since I am a disabled vet. Ironic as it was, I was at the VA this morning for routine blood work and the waiting room was abuzz about the Super Bowl since I live not too far from Pittsburgh. Other vets were upset with Christina Aguilera botching the anthem but they were also upset by the fact that Matthews Jr. used the camera during the Anthem to stunt and pose.

I imagine he was very nervous/anxious/jacked up as he was about to play in a superbowl. I wouldn't read any more into it than that, and certainly wouldn't view it as a basis to question his respect for vets or his patriotism, as it appears you are doing.

 

[The Kerminator]

I know everyone was watching but did anyone actually catch what Clay Matthews Jr. did? When he realized he was on the big screen, he cocked his shoulder back, smirked, and did what we call a "stunt" for the camera. He stunted in a pose during the National Anthem. This pissed me off, especially since I am a disabled vet. Ironic as it was, I was at the VA this morning for routine blood work and the waiting room was abuzz about the Super Bowl since I live not too far from Pittsburgh. Other vets were upset with Christina Aguilera botching the anthem but they were also upset by the fact that Matthews Jr. used the camera during the Anthem to stunt and pose.

If you watched somebody (another player?) leaned in just before he did that. I took it more as a reaction to that then posing. Would have to watch it again.

 

[Hybrid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVukuhvdOxY

Are you talking at about 1:00 in? If so, that's A.J. Hawk. If that is what you're talking about, that seems like a non-issue to me.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

I would venture to say we won't be hearing from Mr. de Tocqueville for quite awhile...

 

[Michael Brown]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVukuhvdOxY

Are you talking at about 1:00 in? If so, that's A.J. Hawk. If that is what you're talking about, that seems like a non-issue to me.

Yes it was Hawk. And yes it was disrespectful. It's not something I noticed or would get worked up over personally, but I can see how a military man would and should be upset by it. There's plenty of time for posing and preening for the cameras...that wasn't one of them.

 

[Reepicheep]

He got banned for this post?

 

[switz]

I don't see what the issue is... He smiled during the national anthem? How terrible is that ... Stupid post award candidate.

 

[Shtaym Syek]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVukuhvdOxY

Are you talking at about 1:00 in? If so, that's A.J. Hawk. If that is what you're talking about, that seems like a non-issue to me.

Yes it was Hawk. And yes it was disrespectful. It's not something I noticed or would get worked up over personally, but I can see how a military man would and should be upset by it. There's plenty of time for posing and preening for the cameras...that wasn't one of them.

Didn't veterans fight so people like Hawk would have the right to be a tool?

 

[Bigboy10182000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVukuhvdOxY

Are you talking at about 1:00 in? If so, that's A.J. Hawk. If that is what you're talking about, that seems like a non-issue to me.

I REALLY hope that's not what he meant.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

He got banned for this post?

Another.

 

[Neo]

I don't see what the issue is... He smiled during the national anthem? How terrible is that ... Stupid post award candidate.

I don't see the real issue with it is but stupid post award candidate? The guy is a vet....felt strongly about something....get a grip....go read some of your past posts dude.

 

[N Zone]

I know everyone was watching but did anyone actually catch what Clay Matthews Jr. did? When he realized he was on the big screen, he cocked his shoulder back, smirked, and did what we call a "stunt" for the camera. He stunted in a pose during the National Anthem. This pissed me off, especially since I am a disabled vet. Ironic as it was, I was at the VA this morning for routine blood work and the waiting room was abuzz about the Super Bowl since I live not too far from Pittsburgh. Other vets were upset with Christina Aguilera botching the anthem but they were also upset by the fact that Matthews Jr. used the camera during the Anthem to stunt and pose.

His name is Matthews III, not Matthews Jr. And it wasn't even Clay that did that, it was A.J. Hawk as someone else pointed out, and all he did really was sort of smile b/c he had a camera right in his face. What do you want him to do? It's sort of makes a person uncomfortable and feel like responding when they have a camera in their face with millions watching.

 

[djmich]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVukuhvdOxY

Are you talking at about 1:00 in? If so, that's A.J. Hawk. If that is what you're talking about, that seems like a non-issue to me.

I REALLY hope that's not what he meant.

 

[Johnny Ice]

 

[Devine Intervention]

yeah, really just seemed like a nervous uncomfortable smile rather than a cocky smerk. Maybe he saw his face on the biggest jumbo screen in stadium history and didnt know how to react. I agree how if he was posing or drawing attention to himself that could be offensive, but not the case. And if trying to obnixiously showcase yourself is the issue then christina aguilera should be the one under fire. Or maybe even the camera guy himself for wanting to make the attention of the anthem be the players.

 

[geoff8695]

yeah, really just seemed like a nervous uncomfortable smile rather than a cocky smerk. Maybe he saw his face on the biggest jumbo screen in stadium history and didnt know how to react. I agree how if he was posing or drawing attention to himself that could be offensive, but not the case. And if trying to obnixiously showcase yourself is the issue then christina aguilera should be the one under fire. Or maybe even the camera guy himself for wanting to make the attention of the anthem be the players.

THISEven this much speculation as to what AJ was thinking at any particular moment makes me uncomfortable. I don't think we can or really should even feel the need to get inside anyone's head based on a split second picture/video clip. However, it's obvious that AJ didn't choreograph any kind of stunt or get animated. Really nothing to see here...

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Wow. A post needed to be made for this? It was nothing. No pose, just a little half smile after the other guy let him know the camera was on his face.

There's a reason the other vets were talking about Christina and not this. That was a crying shame against our national anthem. Completely disrespectful imo.

 

[shredhead]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVukuhvdOxY

Are you talking at about 1:00 in? If so, that's A.J. Hawk. If that is what you're talking about, that seems like a non-issue to me.

Yes it was Hawk. And yes it was disrespectful. It's not something I noticed or would get worked up over personally, but I can see how a military man would and should be upset by it. There's plenty of time for posing and preening for the cameras...that wasn't one of them.

Nothing disrespectful about it at all Mr.Moderator. Just a nervous reaction to being shown on camera during the National Anthem. I'd like to see how you would react Mr. Moderator. People who live in glass houses........

 

[Alex P Keaton]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVukuhvdOxY

Are you talking at about 1:00 in? If so, that's A.J. Hawk. If that is what you're talking about, that seems like a non-issue to me.

Yes it was Hawk. And yes it was disrespectful. It's not something I noticed or would get worked up over personally, but I can see how a military man would and should be upset by it. There's plenty of time for posing and preening for the cameras...that wasn't one of them.

Glad to see we have moderators who demonstrate such stellar judgment.

 

[ft_ball_fn]

Wait! You're saying that a 24 year old, surfer-boy, multi-millionaire NFL star from So Cal who has his own commercial about his hair is a little self-entitled or egomaniacal? I sir, am SHOCKED.ETA - I heard Clay on the Dan Patrick show a week or two ago and he came off really down to earth and mature. He completely went along with Dan's jokes and ribbing and seemed like a very decent guy.

Had the same impression of Clay M.. heard him on the Petrous (sp?) and Money show (PMS)... he was pretty funny and went along with all the ribbing from the hosts about his hair.. draft position coming into the NFL, etc. Seemed very down to earth.Re: Original post.. I agree that its not time to ham for the camera during the national anthem... and its annoying when players do that... BUT--I wouldn't want him suspended or anything for it.... Isn't AJ still pretty young? (mid 20's?). He'll grow up.

 

[Bri]

Soon it's going to be hard to blame kids growing up in this junk

http://www.google.com/search?q=pledge+of+a...lient=firefox-a

International papers are all but calling us stupid Americans (which isn't so uncommon, I know) because Christina doesn't know the words to the national anthem and because "our star player" Matthews isn't respectful. The Supe was a worldwide stage. Can you imagine being an American visiting one of these countries and having to try and defend their behavior and/or "blow it off"?

 

[Shutout]

I haven't watched this but as a vet myself I completely understand the OP's point. When you serve your country you tend to have a very serious appreciation for the flag, the anthem, and things patriotic and you tend to assume that other Americans have a full appreciation of the types of sacrifices others are making for them to live in peace and safety in their home and country.

The OP didn't say whether it is the case or not but he did say he was a disabled vet. Its possible that he may have become disabled in the line of duty. you would have to live that to understand how that affects you. I don't know if the scenario he mentioned was out of line, a young guy that's anxious, etc, but either way I give the OP every right in the world to speak his mind of the topic and not give him a hard time over it.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

A recent thread on a Packer message board questioned and criticized the way the Bears fans (and Black Hawks fans) cheer during the national anthem. As much as I dislike the Bears and their fans, I think the way they celebrate the national anthem is pretty cool. Of course the OP has a right to state his mind, as we all do, and perhaps he has a unique perspective as a vet, but it seems to me some people are looking for ways to be offended. It seems at half the sporting events I attend I hear someone yelling at someone else to take off their hat, or observe some other arcane ritual during the anthem so as to properly observe all the protocol in sufficient fashion to satisfy everyone's view of what it means to be respectful and patriotic. I would prefer if these people would mind their own business, and let us all be patriotic in our own way (within reason). In AJ Hawk's case, I note that his bio states that he, "Grew his hair long in 2005 as a tribute to the late Pat Tillman, the former NFL player who lost his life while serving in the U.S. Army."

http://www.ajhawk.com/bio.aspx

 

[chidoy]

I respect Vets as much as anyone, but if they feel "disrespected" by that?.....

 

[HellToupee]

I take it as he wanted to look respectful when he realized the camera was on him

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

I respect Vets as much as anyone, but if they feel "disrespected" by that?.....

I am not seeing anything even remotely disrespectful.

 

[wadegarrett]

I respect Vets as much as anyone, but if they feel "disrespected" by that?.....

I am not seeing anything even remotely disrespectful.

 

[Andrew Garda]

Maybe this thread title should be corrected since it isnt Matthews?

 

[Reepicheep]

International papers are all but calling us stupid Americans (which isn't so uncommon, I know) because Christina doesn't know the words to the national anthem and because "our star player" Matthews isn't respectful. The Supe was a worldwide stage. Can you imagine being an American visiting one of these countries and having to try and defend their behavior and/or "blow it off"?

How do you say "Haters gonna hate" in French/Chinese/whatever.

 

[FUBAR]

I'm not a fan of putting the players on the screen during the anthem anyway.

 

[FUBAR]

International papers are all but calling us stupid Americans (which isn't so uncommon, I know) because Christina doesn't know the words to the national anthem and because "our star player" Matthews isn't respectful. The Supe was a worldwide stage. Can you imagine being an American visiting one of these countries and having to try and defend their behavior and/or "blow it off"?

How do you say "Haters gonna hate" in French/Chinese/whatever.

I'm going with"tableau de bord""记分牌""Anzeigetafel"

 

[Andrew Garda]

International papers are all but calling us stupid Americans (which isn't so uncommon, I know) because Christina doesn't know the words to the national anthem and because "our star player" Matthews isn't respectful. The Supe was a worldwide stage. Can you imagine being an American visiting one of these countries and having to try and defend their behavior and/or "blow it off"?

How do you say "Haters gonna hate" in French/Chinese/whatever.

I'm going with"tableau de bord""记分牌""Anzeigetafel"

 

[wadegarrett]

Soon it's going to be hard to blame kids growing up in this junk

http://www.google.com/search?q=pledge+of+a...lient=firefox-a

International papers are all but calling us stupid Americans

Stupid Americans that will kick their collective asses!

 

[shredhead]

I respect Vets as much as anyone, but if they feel "disrespected" by that?.....

I am not seeing anything even remotely disrespectful.

That's because there is nothing disrespectful AT ALL with what Hawk did. Anyone who feels disrespected or was offended is unfortunately just looking (reaching) for reasons to be offended, Kind of like CletiusMaximus said.

 

[shredhead]

I'm not a fan of putting the players on the screen during the anthem anyway.

 

[fatness]

International papers are all but calling us stupid Americans (which isn't so uncommon, I know) because Christina doesn't know the words to the national anthem and because "our star player" Matthews isn't respectful.

Yes, it's because of those things and not the wars and stuff.

 

[Clarence the barber]

I know everyone was watching but did anyone actually catch what Clay Matthews Jr. did? When he realized he was on the big screen, he cocked his shoulder back, smirked, and did what we call a "stunt" for the camera. He stunted in a pose during the National Anthem. This pissed me off, especially since I am a disabled vet. Ironic as it was, I was at the VA this morning for routine blood work and the waiting room was abuzz about the Super Bowl since I live not too far from Pittsburgh. Other vets were upset with Christina Aguilera botching the anthem but they were also upset by the fact that Matthews Jr. used the camera during the Anthem to stunt and pose.

Sack up, frenchie. What Matthews did wasn't a big deal.

 

[Reepicheep]

International papers are all but calling us stupid Americans (which isn't so uncommon, I know) because Christina doesn't know the words to the national anthem and because "our star player" Matthews isn't respectful. The Supe was a worldwide stage. Can you imagine being an American visiting one of these countries and having to try and defend their behavior and/or "blow it off"?

How do you say "Haters gonna hate" in French/Chinese/whatever.

I'm going with"tableau de bord""记分牌""Anzeigetafel"

 

[meanjoegreen]

I know everyone was watching but did anyone actually catch what Clay Matthews Jr. did? When he realized he was on the big screen, he cocked his shoulder back, smirked, and did what we call a "stunt" for the camera. He stunted in a pose during the National Anthem. This pissed me off, especially since I am a disabled vet. Ironic as it was, I was at the VA this morning for routine blood work and the waiting room was abuzz about the Super Bowl since I live not too far from Pittsburgh. Other vets were upset with Christina Aguilera botching the anthem but they were also upset by the fact that Matthews Jr. used the camera during the Anthem to stunt and pose.

I don't think Matthews was attempting to disrespect the Anthem or veterans, and I seriously doubt stunting a pose for the camera was what was on his mind. I also don't know why vets would be upset with Christina Aguilera messing up during the anthem. She didn't do it on purpose. That is one of the hardest songs to sing, she was nervous and singing it with millions watching, and she got off track. She recovered from the mess up nicely, and she apologized later and was embarrassed for making the mistake. I think it's disappointing that veterans would be this judgemental.