Disrespectful. Traitor. Disgrace. Villain. All these words are just a small portion of what America and the president think and call Colin Kaepernick. Activist. Brave. Confident. Hero. All these words are just a small portion of what NFL players think and call Colin Kaepernick. Why is there such a radical divide on opinion of the quarterback? During the month of August, 2016, a photo of Colin Kaepernick sitting during the national anthem went viral. From then on, Kaepernick continued to protest for the rest of the football games. Although Kaepernick decided to start kneeling during the anthem instead of sitting, America was still outraged at the thought of a man being disrespectful to the flag. However, NFL players embraced Kaepernick’s
…show more content…
Team owners called their players “inmates,” players called owners disgraceful to the NFL. Football fans burned their team’s jersey symbolizing the hate and vengeance they feel towards them. This maelstrom across the nation escalated quickly, all rules and boundaries crumbled into shambles. How did these traumatic situations occur? Who is responsible for such destruction of a prized sport? It all started with a single person, a single pioneer for change and revolution. It all started by taking a knee. Taking a knee symbolized Colin Kaepernick's ambition to reform racial equality in America.
When Kaepernick attained a significant amount of attention, he realized he could make a statement that all would see. Before a person can quickly criticize and judge Kaepernick’s purpose for kneeling during the national anthem, they must first understand his story. Colin Kaepernick was an NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Furthermore, he was an …show more content…
The first time the national anthem was ever played at a pro-sporting event was during the 1918 world series (between the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox), when the nation was at war (Andrews & Barbash, 2016, p. 1). From then on the national anthem was played not only at every major sport, but any sport as a sign of respect to those serving in the military and to all the veterans who served bravely. Standing during the anthem was customary, as no one was deranged enough to not stand during the anthem. So when one quarterback decides to break tradition in front of a televised audience, an uproar was expected…but that is what Kaepernick wanted. Soon many other football players followed in his footsteps. However, it was not Kaepernick’s intentions to be disrespectful to the flag. “I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. I have family I have friends that have gone and fought for this country” (Stites, 2017, p. 12). Kaepernick acknowledged that he would receive backlash from his actions. Therefore he sought out advice from Army veteran Nate Boyer to help him devise a protest that would be more respectful. Boyer and Kaepernick agreed that kneel would be a more respectful option rather than sitting. Kaepernick had respect for the flag, but opposed the way America treated those of a different race. The flag represented a central theme that went against Kaepernick’s
Team owners called their players “inmates,” players called owners disgraceful to the NFL. Football fans burned their team’s jersey symbolizing the hate and vengeance they feel towards them. This maelstrom across the nation escalated quickly, all rules and boundaries crumbled into shambles. How did these traumatic situations occur? Who is responsible for such destruction of a prized sport? It all started with a single person, a single pioneer for change and revolution. It all started by taking a knee. Taking a knee symbolized Colin Kaepernick's ambition to reform racial equality in America.
When Kaepernick attained a significant amount of attention, he realized he could make a statement that all would see. Before a person can quickly criticize and judge Kaepernick’s purpose for kneeling during the national anthem, they must first understand his story. Colin Kaepernick was an NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Furthermore, he was an …show more content…
The first time the national anthem was ever played at a pro-sporting event was during the 1918 world series (between the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox), when the nation was at war (Andrews & Barbash, 2016, p. 1). From then on the national anthem was played not only at every major sport, but any sport as a sign of respect to those serving in the military and to all the veterans who served bravely. Standing during the anthem was customary, as no one was deranged enough to not stand during the anthem. So when one quarterback decides to break tradition in front of a televised audience, an uproar was expected…but that is what Kaepernick wanted. Soon many other football players followed in his footsteps. However, it was not Kaepernick’s intentions to be disrespectful to the flag. “I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. I have family I have friends that have gone and fought for this country” (Stites, 2017, p. 12). Kaepernick acknowledged that he would receive backlash from his actions. Therefore he sought out advice from Army veteran Nate Boyer to help him devise a protest that would be more respectful. Boyer and Kaepernick agreed that kneel would be a more respectful option rather than sitting. Kaepernick had respect for the flag, but opposed the way America treated those of a different race. The flag represented a central theme that went against Kaepernick’s