During The National Anthem

Americans have been standing for the National Anthem since 1891. This tradition started in the military, before The Star Spangled Banner became the National Anthem. Players in the NFL weren’t always required to stand on the sideline for the Anthem; it became a regular occurrence for players and teams to stand in 2009. Recently, many teams and players in the NFL have disrespected the flag and the unity within the country that is portrayed in the song. They do this by kneeling, sitting, and not coming out of the locker room during the playing of the National Anthem. All American citizens should always stand for the National Anthem, in respect for the flag and for the men and women who fought for the freedom we have.

“For the land of the free, and the home of the brave” the remarkable final words of our nation’s anthem. There has been recent controversy about football players, and many other athletes kneeling during the “Star Spangled Banner” to protest against the tragedies happening in America day after day. The First Amendment gives these athletes the privilege to express those rights by kneeling. People should stand for the national anthem because it is a sign of respect and appreciation for our country. On August 14th, San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick made the choice to kneel during the national anthem. His decision to kneel was because he could not stand in front of a flag that oppresses black people in its nation. Kaepernick’s kneel turned into a nationwide protest for people of color being mistreated in the United States. Did Kaepernick know what the flag actually represented before he took his costly action?

It was once said by Ronald Reagan that, “When we honor our flag we honor what we stand for as a nation- freedom,equality, justice and hope”. In the article “In the land of the free,’ are you free to sit out of the national anthem?” by Jaweed Kaleem. It all started to get attention at Quarterback from the NFL Football player to remain seated while the “Star-Spangled Banner”. The rest of his teammates stood and had one hand over their hearts during the “Star-Spangled Banner”. When people saw an NFL Player do it; some people follow his lead. While The quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled when the song came on with one of his teammates. Also, the Cornerback stay seated during that song during that game. Some people have their beliefs on the flag,

Standing during the National Anthem, hand upon heart. The way Americans have done for years. Respecting and honoring our flag, the fallen soldiers, and the ones who have and are fighting for our country to be free. Suddenly doesn’t seem to be important anymore for people. That’s why some sit, not pay attention, keep headphones in, and during football games kneel. How is showing respect?

Usually the National Anthem is performed when attending graduations, football, basketball, baseball games and more. Everyone is expected to stand during the time the song is being played. But if one chooses not to stand there is no problem with that. Being that Americans should not be forced to stand for the National Anthem because of the high rates of police brutality against blacks, it displays racism towards blacks, and this is a way individuals can exercise their freedom of speech.

A famous sports figure in history once said, “I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag. I know that I am a black man in a white world” (McKirdy). At first glance, this quote seems to be something that would have been said by the San Francisco 49ers Quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, in light of his recent protests, as well as other sports players who decided to follow suit, to the playing of the national anthem before football games. However, this is not the case. The above quote was written in the 1972 autobiography, I Never Had it Made, written by Jackie Robinson, an African American Baseball player (McKirdy). Colin Kaepernick obviously felt the same as Jackie Robinson did when he sat on the bench rather than standing during a rendition of the national anthem before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on August 26. During an interview with the media following the game, Kaepernick explained why he refused to stand for the anthem, “‘I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder’” (Wyche). Kaepernick explains that he refused to stand for the national anthem because of the

Picture this, a NFL player getting on the field and warming-up. Then, as the game gets closer to starting the field clears so they could get the flag on the field to do the national anthem. This is when tragic happens. This is when some NFL players kneel during the national anthem. Many people think that protesting the national anthem by kneeling is a bad thing. However, it’s what the players feel like doing even though it is a little disrespectful. Many players kneeled on one day and that was when president Trump made a comment about football.

When Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the “Star Spangled Banner” a mass dispute over race, patriotism and football broke out across the United States. Many people who were opposed to Kaepernick's protest believed he was disrespecting our military by not standing with his hand over his

After watching day after day of the many police shootings killing innocent Blacks on the news it was only a matter of time before someone rose to the action. That person was Colin Kaepernick and his way of showing a difference was to kneel instead of stand during the National Anthem before their game against the Los Angeles Rams in week one.

Would you ever kneel during The National Anthem like football players from the 49’ers, Cowboys, Dolphins, Browns, Giants, Panthers, Broncos, Saints, and etc. Every day I would hear on the news especially on Monday mornings that another football team made the list and that at least one of their players would kneel. One day me and my mom were sitting on the couch and I turned on the Giants game. A few minutes later, when The National Anthem came on people started taking a knee, my mom walked out of the room looking a little mad and disappointed. Right away, I figured it out and put the pieces together. She started yelling and explaining to me why that was so wrong even though I knew. Some people think that they should be fired, benched,

Football season: everyone loves it, right? The food, the game, drinks that I’m too young to legally drink. My dad taught me that when you walk in the bar, you walk in to watch the game and drink some beers, essentially leaving your political views outside of the establishment. Which, is smart because having serious disagreements like that can lead to people getting upset and overreacting immensely due to their intoxication. But what if the politics are in the game? Players all over the US have picked up on a very controversial issue. The National Anthem. To be specific, kneeling during The National Anthem. These players are protesting. They are exercising the right America holds highest. Freedom of speech. Are they really getting their message

"The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!" Said Donald J. Trump The President of the United States of America. We the people should show our respects to the Men who established this country. For example, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. Are all resectebly the people who founded America. For instance, San Francisco 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand because," I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,"[Google] Colin Kaepernick is avoiding the fact that the national anthem was made

What a relief! I really like my new school, but I couldn’t have sung the national anthem every day; it just doesn’t feel right. I’m glad I don’t have to do it anymore– like Dad said, “Should a White fella stand up and do a Black fella corroboree? Well, should a Black fella stand up and sing a White fella’s anthem, their corroboree?”

Caleb I strongly agree with you because I believe that kneeling during the national anthem or during the pledge is very disrespectful to anyone who believes in the true spirit of americans. Many people have had their lives taken fighting for the flag and to kneel in front of it is very rude. I am not against protesting or people rights or any of that I just think that there is better ways to express yourself. He could have instead said something or even done something that showed that he thought that african americans or anyone should have equal rights. Americans are also very proud of the flag and when you kneel you kind of are saying that you don’t really care that much. If he is showing that he doesn’t care about his country he shouldn’t

As Colin Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the singing of the national anthem continues to raise tensions both on the field and on the internet, John Legend's take is possibly the most unifying opinion out there.