Restaurants vow to not show NFL games over anthem controversy

CICERO, N.Y. (CBS12) At least two Central New York restaurants say they will not show NFL games because of controversy over conduct during the national anthem.

Borio’s Restaurant, which sits along Oneida Lake in Cicero, posted a note saying it would not show the games, adding “if and when this show of disrespect ends we will be happy to show this product on (sic) our restaurant again.” On Monday afternoon, Marty Borio told us this afternoon that he has no further comment at this time.

Neighbors we spoke with say they agree with the sentiment, but also feel the flag and the anthem stand for having the right to have your say, on either side of the issue. Avi Avraham, at the nearby Lakeshore Grill, said that while he agreed with Borio’s sentiment, he wondered if a public place should take the position of one versus the other.

Cooper’s Landing, which describes itself as a pub in Cicero, posted on its Facebook page on Monday that it also will not air NFL games: “So after this past weekend with the NFL Cooper’s will be joining Borio’s and NOT airing the NFL games. Enough is enough. It’s time for these million dollar snowfakes to stop disrespecting the Men-Women -Dogs that signed a blank check for them to act like this. Hopefully things will change. WE will be airing Baseball-Hockey-Mud-Water & Snow sports with Specials .United We Stand.”

At a rally in Alabama on Friday night, President Donald Trump suggested that NFL owners fire players who kneel during the anthem and said fans should consider walking out in protest.

Players from teams across the country responded by kneeling, standing with locked arms, or not appearing on the field for the anthem at all.

One of the teams that didn’t appear on the field was the Pittsburgh Steelers (except for one player), which is specifically mentioned in the statement posted at Borio’s Restaurant.

The restaurant’s full statement reads as follows:

Borio’s Restaurant is thankful to be in America!

Due to the recent decision of the Pittsburg Stealers (sic) team to stay in the locker room during our country’s National Anthem the Borio family will no longer show the NFL in our restaurant.

If and when this show of disrespect ends we will be happy to show this product on (sic) our restaurant again.

America is great we can all make decisions!