Shaquille O’Neal says that sitting during the national anthem is “something I wouldn’t do” and questioned why Colin Kaepernick waited until now to become socially active.
Advertisement
Having been out of headlines for a few years, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick is standing out this year for not standing up. “I have great respect for people’s right to believe what they want to believe, and I don’t think anybody should be prosecuted or judged based on what their beliefs are”.
Several of Kaepernick’s NFL peers-including teammate Eric Reid-have rallied around the embattled athlete, while NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he opposed Kaepernick’s actions.
“I want to thank everyone who has shown me love and support, it truly means a lot!” No matter the historical context or the present circumstance that is the unity I, perhaps naively, imagine when I see our flag and listen to our anthem. But I think this comes about with people’s fears over this protest as well as the Islamophobia in this country.
“I’ve been very blessed to be in this position and make the kind of money I do, and I have to help these people”.
O’Neal also said that he wouldn’t take the same approach as Kaepernick out of respect for his family members who have been in the military and law enforcement.
Last weekend, Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane followed suit by sitting out the anthem and US women’s national team midfielder Megan Rapinoe took a knee in support of Kaepernick prior to a soccer match in Chicago.
Obama said he hasn’t paid close attention to the matter, but he added approvingly that Kaepernick has generated more national conversation about “issues that need to be talked about”. “I believe after Blaine Gabbert was announced the starting quarter back for this year’s National Football League season, Kaepernick was trying to do whatever he could to get himself in the headlines again”. He replaced the injured Alex Smith as starter later that season and led San Francisco to the Super Bowl.
Santa Clara police Chief Michael J. Sellers said in a statement this week that the stadium security would be unaffected if his officers declined to work 49ers games. “I’ve been in this position before”.
Advertisement
“I come from it from a different perspective”, Cruz told TMZ.
