The Impact Of Football Protests In Football

In the article, “National Anthem Protests”, written by Steve Byas on The New American, on October 24, 2016, states that when the San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, decided to kneel during the national anthem that his protest wasn’t about the police brutality on blacks but to disrespect this country. Texas senator, Ted Cruz, states in the article that “it’s very easy when you’re sitting there, rolling in millions of dollars to disrespect this country” (13 Byas). Kaepernick and many other NFL players have stated that they are not disrespecting our flag but kneeling in protest to the police brutality on black people across the country. Although the players have said this, people beg to differ.

Over a year ago, Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick made the first major protest. Surprisingly, it was not immediately noticed by the media. He simply sat on the benches during the national anthem. Kaepernick made headlines when he sat during the 49ers third preseason game, but he aslo sat during the first two as well, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

It has been a custom of all citizens, including professional athletes, to stand and remove their hats during the National Anthem since 1931. Although as of late, in an obscure manner of protest, many athletes and now fans have been kneeling during the National Anthem. Perhaps no group has more influence of the general public than professional athletes, which has been clearly documented as of late. All of this protest began when Colin Kaepernick, a back-up quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, kneeled during the National Anthem in the 49er’s first preseason game. Although this form of protest is very peaceful, many people believe it is disrespectful and have begun to question Kaepernick’s patriotism. Kneeling during the National Anthem creates a lot of tension between citizens, especially when it is used to protest a highly controversial topic to begin with.

He stated that players who kneel for the National Anthem should immediately fired. This sparked an uproar from most of the players in the NFL as well as owners of teams. Two days after the statement, NFL teams took the field as they do any other Sunday during the year. This week was different though. A group of players from every took a knee during the National Anthem. Over 200 players throughout the NFL decided to rally with each other and protest the President's’ remarks.

Protest of the national anthem in sports started in the 2016 National Football League season (NFL) when San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, kneeled during the anthem. In an article written by sports enterprise reporter Nancy Armour, Kaepernick gave an explanation for his protest “Racism. Discrimination. Police brutality. Economic inequality.”(Armour). Kaepernick started a trend within the NFL causing multiple teams to either kneel or sit down during the national anthem; in response to this, President Donald Trump according to Erik Brady a sports reporter for USA Today stated “NFL owners to fire players who don't stand for the national anthem”(Brady). Every NFL team protested by locking arms, sitting or kneeling during the national anthem due to what Trump said about the protesters.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick caught the nation’s attention when he remained seated during the national anthem. National Football League (NFL) reporter Steve Wyche covered this event in an article he wrote for the NFL website. Wyche interviewed Kaepernick after the game where the quarterback explained why he decided to sit during the national anthem. Kaepernick explains: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color” (Wyche). Kaepernick’s frustration is due to the recent string of police shootings, which have claimed the lives of many young black men across the country.

When the national anthem roars throughout a football stadium fans and players traditionally stand. They place their hands over their hearts as the music blares from beginning to end. However, on August 26th, 2016 during a preseason game versus the Green Bay Packers. Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49er’s decided to do otherwise and chose to kneel during the national anthem. Immediately following after the game, reporters swarmed him, seeking an explanation for his actions. Kaepernick answered their questions for about seventeen minutes, telling NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game:

In the article, “Football Players Act Of Protest During Anthem Has Fans Red-Hot”, By Washington Post but was adapted by Newsela Staff explains that many people are supporting but some people are very angry about his decision. During the article a reporter explains that if Colin is not keeping the rights of his teammates, then what is the problem. By stating this, he is saying there shouldn’t be a problem because I am not taking away the rights of others, I’m just explaining my feelings. Secondly the article also explains that his coach, Chip Kelly also supports his right to expressing his feelings. On the other hand, some people are disagreeing saying that if you don’t love our country, get out of it and move to canada. This detail explains

The trend of standing up for what others believe has stormed across the nation for diverse reasons. One of many examples of this situation includes the National Football League(NFL). Approximately two years ago, quarterback Colin Kaepernick began to protest the national anthem due to his belief that his rights and the rights of other african-americans were being violated. Shortly after many other professional athletes followed his lead and protested the national anthem by kneeling down, locking

Football players protesting during the National Anthem lately have football fans red hot. Colin Kaepernick and many other professional football players are protesting what they feel are social inequalities and wrongdoings by getting down on a knee while the National Anthem plays. While everyone else is standing up to show respect. One particular fan named Nate3914 tweeted... Kaepernick, “If you don't love the country get out of it. You should never play another down in the NFL, move to Canada.” However, Anquan Boldin, his former teammate, says that he supports Kaepernick's decision to kneel down during the anthem. He said, “The great thing about America is you can protest and what the quarterback is doing is just another type of that.” This is a popular and controversial example, that Kaepernick has the right to express himself as a free citizen of the United States. Taking away his right to protest violates his constitutional rights. Colin Kaepernick's protest during the national anthem has fans in protests of outrage, but he defends

"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

As time goes on, the people of America continue to discover and create more issues that have affect on each person in the country. Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers took a knee during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner” in protest of police brutality and racial injustice in America. Since then, NFL players from all over the country have joined in on this silent protest.

These NFL players sit or take a knee during the national anthem in a sign of protest to show that black lives are still not equal to the fellow white man and they get harassed by them as well. After a while of this protest being noticed, Donald Trump takes action of this protest, he then made a rally in Huntsville, Alabama making a stand on player protest talking about harsh punishments such as firing a fellow NFL player for not respecting the flag or national

Limits on our rights limit freedom. Colin Kaepernick, a former 49ers quarterback, took a knee during the presentation of the protested during the U.S. national anthem as a way of social protest. Kaepernick and others following his suit have silently protested racial inequality and police brutality. Protesting the national anthem is an appropriate form of free speech. Due to exercising the First Amendment, nonviolent protesting, and by being national, influential football players, refusing to stand for the national anthem is ethical.

In an article written in The Atlantic, titled “They Took a Knee”, staff writer Megan Garber, begins by pointing out several specific players and teams that “took a knee” in protest. She points out the protests were in replication of the 2016 protests by Colin Kaepernick, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who began kneeling during the anthem. The article quotes Kaepernick stating, “I am not going to