The NFL has been tarnished by protesting players who “take a knee” during the national anthem. One jewelry store owner in Massachusetts thought it was the perfect time to make light of a sticky situation by posting a billboard that cracked a joke at the “take a knee” movement.
While many people thought the billboard advertising for Garieri Jewelers was funny, there certainly were some who did not. In fact, those who lacked the sense of humor and ability to laugh at the punny play on words found it so offensive that some people have sent the family death threats!
Imagine that! You make something a little funny and all of a sudden you’re having threats directed at your family.
The guy was just having a little fun with a bizarre situation that has plagued the NFL, so it’s very alarming that people are getting this upset by it. He wanted to lighten things up a bit, but some people just couldn’t handle it.
Some people called the billboard racist. Some called it insensitive. Others called it downright hilarious! Can’t people just lighten up once in a while and enjoy a good laugh?
Here’s the billboard causing all the controversy. It says “If you’re going to take a knee this season please have a ring in your hand!”
The owner of the store, Scott Garieri, has said that he was “not trying to push buttons and thought it was a good play on words.” He’s correct on the play on words part.
“It was intended to be attention-getting,” said Scott Garieri, the owner.
While Garieri hoped the billboard would get attention, he expected the type of attention it got.
“Someone saw it, pulled in off Route 20 and took a picture of it and then went off about how racist it is,” said Garieri. “Then they started attacking us, they wanted to come in and vomit on the [jewelry] cases, they were going to urinate on our sidewalks.”
One social media comment went as far as suggesting Garieri’s daughter kill herself.
He also stated, per WPRI, that he plans to leave the billboard in place until the football season is over.
Of course, that’s if the billboard lasts. It might gather enough attention from violent leftists who have often been found committing acts of violence and vandalism.
It would not be shocking to find out later that someone who dislikes the billboard had vandalized it or destroyed it as a reaction of their emotions taking over.
It was just last week that Nike announced they were using Colin Kaepernick as the poster child in their new video ad that aired during the Thursday Night Football match between the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons.
Once Nike and Kaepernick announced their little partnership, the Internet blew up with their own version of the “sacrifice everything” memes.
This funny image joking about Hillary Clinton deleting emails is one of the best.
If you’re interested in supporting the store and family who posted the billboard, then check out their website and maybe pick up a gift for a loved one.
