One will often hear the argument that sports are just too political in the modern era. ‘You make a difference, this matters, everything you do matters.
Advertisement
One Oakland area high school football team is joining the movement started by San Franscisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
It is worth noting amid criticism that these protests are unpatriotic or cowardly acts that Kelly has always been a supporter of the United States Military, often quoting and referencing the Navy Seals and implementing numerous principles of sports science implemented by the armed forces into his program.
Yes, America still has a long way to go, but I’m confident that Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson (to name a few historical athletes) would appreciate his respect by standing tall and pledging those who came before you.
Kaepernick told the team that he knows the players might be in situations in which people do not treat them the same due to their skin color and they are not given the opportunities to be the best they can be. I do however disagree with the reason he is kneeling. “So hopefully more people who actually feel that way who will speak up”. Even at Kaepernick’s old high school in California, there is a lack of support for the pro QB.
Kaepernick explained that he knew what he was getting into when he made a decision to skip the anthem.
But if a white player in the National Football League were to take a knee, it would change the conversation. “My choice is, I like this country, I respect our flag, and I don’t see all the atrocities going on in this country that people say are going on”.
Cohn: “I didn’t ask him those questions”. Outgoing President Barack Obama, however, defended the player’s right to protest, saying he “cares about some real, legitimate issues”.
Kaepernick has said he will continue to kneel during the anthem until he sees demonstrable change.
Benjamin Arnold (h/t Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area) posted some YouTube videos of Kaepernick speaking with members of the team. He also said his $1 million donation to organizations helping communities in need will be spread out in $100,000 increments over the course of 10 weeks.
Advertisement
What’s more, the poll revealed that 36 percent said they disliked him “a lot”, up from 10 percent two years ago. In my opinion, the answer is perfectly clear: absolutely not.
