Kaepernick is refusing to stand during the anthem in protest of police brutality and oppression of minorities in America.
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This is not to say that Kaepernick hasn’t been criticized heavily, that his initial statement (that did not include recognition that being an American gives him the right to free speech, which he is exercising) had some holes, and that this still might have an affect on his career, short- and long-term.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick wants to give back all the money he makes from sales of his jersey. He addressed internet rumors he has converted to Islam – he has not, he said – and was asked whether he was influenced by his girlfriend, Nessa Diab, the star of MTV’s ” “Girl Code” and host of a nationally syndicated radio show. “She is Muslim; her family’s Muslim. I wish people would be as outraged about the murders that are happening in the street as they are about a protest”. “And I don’t think anybody should be prosecuted or judged based on what their beliefs are”.
Oh, and Kaepernick’s bold stance absolutely dwarfs the tepid, tardy and essentially meaningless tripe offered by National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell today… Various NFL agents Wednesday said a top-selling jersey could earn a player roughly $300,000 to $500,000. With the National Basketball Association season not too far away, it should be interesting to see if any National Basketball Association players follow Kaepernick’s lead.
Of course, I don’t think Kaepernick had any clear idea of where this might go when he started sitting (in the first two preseason games, when it wasn’t noticed because he wasn’t in uniform)… then it was noticed when he was uniform August 26… then he was joined by teammate Eric Reid the next game in San Diego, when they both stood before the song and then knelt together while the anthem was sung. Reid knelt next to Kaepernick, and Boyer stood next to them.
“I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we don’t live in a ideal society”, Goodell added. “Just, [there are] other ways to get your point across”.
“I applaud him for taking his stand”.
“It meant a lot”, Kaepernick said.
“I think it’s important to have respect for our country, for our flag, for the people who make our country better; for law enforcement; and for our military who are out fighting for our freedoms and our ideals”.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to not stand during the Star-Spangled Banner before preseason games has been the most talked about topic in sports over the last two weeks. “The world needs to see people coming together versus being individuals”.
