When standing for the National Anthem at sporting events nowadays you might realize some people don’t stand. Why is this, is it meant out of disrespect? Well to some athletes, they perform this action in regards of making a protest. All over the United States athletes are making a protest against the anthem and what it stands for by kneeling on the sideline instead of standing and placing their hand over their heart. NFL player, Colin Kaepernick is just one of many to make this protest but, yet has gotten the most attention too. Athletes believe the national anthem doesn’t show equal social justice and they express with freedom of speech. I believe that these actions being taken are too much and need to be stopped. They are not only being disrespectful,
…show more content…
Within this code it states “We must endeavor at all times to be people of high character; we must show respect for others inside and outside our workplace; and we must strive to conduct ourselves in ways that favorably reflect on ourselves, our teams, the communities we represent, and the NFL” which means watch all actions you make. (“PERSONAL CONDUCT POLICY”) Athletes such as Colin Kaepernick to me have violated the previous statement. Standing for the anthem shows respect for those who fought for the freedom you have today. In the case, in which you don’t stand it is disrespectful. The NFL has clearly said that “we must show respect for others inside and outside our workplace” so in order of following the conduct policy and not being disrespectful you should stand and salute the flag. (“PERSONAL CONDUCT POLICY”) Actions such as kneeling or sitting during this time of importance to our country show that the athlete has no respect for the country in which they live. When Kaepernick took a knee it really distracted the media, fans, and other players. It took attention off of the playing or sung song but to the athletes kneeling on the ground. The NFL wants each player to represent the NFL, community, and most of all their team. These impropriate stands looks bad on the individual, team, and organization and defiantly doesn’t make a good representation for the …show more content…
Freedom of speech is the right to express any opinions without restraint. If Kaepernick can take a knee during the song that represents our country and say its freedom of speech, then others should be too. This is not the case throughout the NFL though. DeAngelo Williams of the Pittsburg Steelers lost his mother in 2014 due to breast cancer. (Peters, Micah) In the NFL, along with most other sporting organizations dedicate the month of October to breast cancer awareness. Williams in honor of this mother asked the NFL if he could wear pink throughout the 2015 season. After the NFL turned him down he went out and got a tattoo and out pink streaks into his hair. (Peters, Micah) Another prime example of someone not being able to express their rights is Antonio Brown for the Pittsburg Steelers. Brown has been fined many of times for his cleats. During the Jets game, the wide receiver honored fallen legend Muhammad Ali by having cleats decorated in quotes and pictures of Ali. (Sherman, Rodger) Two plays into the game Brown was asked to remove the cleats or be ejected from the game. To me yes, Kaepernick, Williams, and Brown were all expressing their freedom of speech. If one athlete isn’t allowed to wear cleats or pink to pay tribute to a well-known athlete or loved one, then Kaepernick shouldn’t be able to dishonor the United States by taking a knee. It is all around disrespectful of
Within this code it states “We must endeavor at all times to be people of high character; we must show respect for others inside and outside our workplace; and we must strive to conduct ourselves in ways that favorably reflect on ourselves, our teams, the communities we represent, and the NFL” which means watch all actions you make. (“PERSONAL CONDUCT POLICY”) Athletes such as Colin Kaepernick to me have violated the previous statement. Standing for the anthem shows respect for those who fought for the freedom you have today. In the case, in which you don’t stand it is disrespectful. The NFL has clearly said that “we must show respect for others inside and outside our workplace” so in order of following the conduct policy and not being disrespectful you should stand and salute the flag. (“PERSONAL CONDUCT POLICY”) Actions such as kneeling or sitting during this time of importance to our country show that the athlete has no respect for the country in which they live. When Kaepernick took a knee it really distracted the media, fans, and other players. It took attention off of the playing or sung song but to the athletes kneeling on the ground. The NFL wants each player to represent the NFL, community, and most of all their team. These impropriate stands looks bad on the individual, team, and organization and defiantly doesn’t make a good representation for the …show more content…
Freedom of speech is the right to express any opinions without restraint. If Kaepernick can take a knee during the song that represents our country and say its freedom of speech, then others should be too. This is not the case throughout the NFL though. DeAngelo Williams of the Pittsburg Steelers lost his mother in 2014 due to breast cancer. (Peters, Micah) In the NFL, along with most other sporting organizations dedicate the month of October to breast cancer awareness. Williams in honor of this mother asked the NFL if he could wear pink throughout the 2015 season. After the NFL turned him down he went out and got a tattoo and out pink streaks into his hair. (Peters, Micah) Another prime example of someone not being able to express their rights is Antonio Brown for the Pittsburg Steelers. Brown has been fined many of times for his cleats. During the Jets game, the wide receiver honored fallen legend Muhammad Ali by having cleats decorated in quotes and pictures of Ali. (Sherman, Rodger) Two plays into the game Brown was asked to remove the cleats or be ejected from the game. To me yes, Kaepernick, Williams, and Brown were all expressing their freedom of speech. If one athlete isn’t allowed to wear cleats or pink to pay tribute to a well-known athlete or loved one, then Kaepernick shouldn’t be able to dishonor the United States by taking a knee. It is all around disrespectful of