COMMENTARY: The Las Vegas Golden Knights put NFL protesters to shame

Tuesday night, the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights showed the NFL how it can be done … with class. The team presented a dignified and touching pre-game tribute to first responders and victims of the recent horrific carnage in Las Vegas.

Many of those heroic helpers and survivors, who endured a lethal storm of gunfire from a madman, were escorted onto the ice before a sellout crowd of 17,500. Thunderous applause. It was a wonderful chance to say thanks to heroes — real heroes, not the kind who get rich for playing a game and then get their publicity stunts telecast across the land. I’m talking about real heroes, who save lives and make a difference every day without fame or fortune.

Everyone at T-Mobile Arena, including every player, stood and sang the national anthem, saluting or placing their hand on their heart. It was so much more than a hockey event. It was a brilliant moment of American patriotism and resilience at its best.

While Vegas continues to heal, the fast and furious competition we watched on the rink that night was a hallmark of Vegas Strong. There was also plenty of pride to help heal the hurt.

Finally, and joyfully for the home team, the Golden Knights — buoyed by an adoring crowd — rolled over Arizona 5–2 in their home opener. They became the first NHL expansion team in history to win their first three games. More than a victory, it was medicine for everyday folks who live and work here to make Las Vegas the Entertainment Capital of the World.

In the short time they have been in town, the Golden Knights have become very active in the community. They connect with real lives to help make a difference. The city loves ‘em. The young teammates play hockey because they love the game and they love to entertain, not to flaunt their wealth and taunt their fans with political statements that are vague at best.

It was a thrill to watch the Golden Knights in action. Yet it is now a disgrace to watch the NFL in action, from the top down. It has never been easier than now to ignore the NFL whiners who have chosen to run roughshod over an overwhelming number of fans who are somehow supposed to feel guilty because overpaid, disrespectful athletes want to “exercise their right.”

Yes, there have the right to protest. I couldn’t agree more. I enthusiastically defend that right. But I also have a right to protest … especially to protest the NFL. I refuse to welcome a protest being tolerated, even encouraged, at the expense of a flag and national anthem that symbolize what I helped defend and that symbolize our, yes, imperfect nation. To wage that kind of sideline protest is a cheap shot. It profoundly misses the point of what our country is all about.

It is better that the protesters stop disrespecting what so many have died to preserve. Instead, for a moment, let them consider the inspiring contributions of our brand-new Golden Knights, who actually get out into the community to help make real change.

The Knights give us the kind of productive, not political, change that too many vain and self-serving footballers are only willing to give three minutes of “knee service” to. It is high time for the NFL to stand up and do something golden.

Dan Christopher is a Las Vegas photographer.