The NFL National Protests

Today there is controversy on whether or not NFL players should stand or kneel for the national anthem, why they should or should not, the consequences for doing it, and I personally think that if you are playing the game you love on a football field that you are not forced to play on, you should respect the song and flag that represents the people giving up their life for you to play that game.

If you are unaware of the situation, last season Former NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick started to kneel during the national anthem to protest what he called ‘systematic racism by the law enforcement in the United States’. After groups like Black Lives Matter and other players joined in the national anthem protest because of the #1 story of the season. The problem is many fans took the protest as an attack on the country and what the country stands for so the divide had started. The NFL supported the players right to protest in the past but with Trump’s comment they now have a dilemma and they won’t win either way. If NFL players protest the anthem tomorrow in the wake of Trump’s comments, fans of the NFL who are already upset with the protest might see it as the last straw to give up on the NFL product and ratings have been down the last couple of years. If the NFL listens to Trump and

So, now for my stand on the NFL protests. I believe you should stand in respect for our country and those who fought and were killed. I understand where those who are kneeling are coming from but also you are an American and that means you stand. It is just common respect in the same way you are expected to say, “you’re welcome” in response to when someone says, “thank you”. I can see why some players chose to kneel, but I will always believe everyone should stand as common respect for our country. The football players, which are the main focus of the debate right now but there has been kneeling in all sports, have a national platform where they can show their protest against standing during the National Anthem. This gives them the publicity they want and they have received it. I can only hope that in the

Just a few years ago, the United States National Anthem was not considered to be controversial in the least.  Insert Colin Kaepernick who started kneeling during the anthem to bring awareness against social injustice to minorities in the 2016 season. When asked why he refused to stand for the anthem during a pre-season game he explained, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. … There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” This initial protest and statement created a firestorm over the next two seasons where many players and even entire teams decided to join Kaepernick’s protest.

Every country has a history of protesting to prove a point. The United States is notorious for gaining their rights throughout history by causing awareness in the political society with protesting. Currently some representatives and players of the NFL have been practicing their rights to raise awareness by protesting the National Anthem in order to create a movement for racial equality. Some can say that these players have taken the proper steps and are proceeding as needed to be, while others say that it is improper and disrespectful. Every player or representative deserves the right to protest and be heard as an American Citizen, however the way that some players and reps. have been acting recently has become upsetting due to the inconsideration of the country as a whole, by their actions.

A bewildering movement has dawned lately. Professional American football players are kneeling before the flag in protest of the National Anthem. They have the right to so given to them by the 1st Amendment, which allows them to peacefully assemble, but it isn’t morally sound nor logical whatsoever. Hence extremely disrespectful to our country and the veterans who fought for it.

Most people think that the National Anthem Protest is a about how police treat many African Amercian different than a Caucasian. Many of these NFL Players should be able to take a knee during the national anthem because it is their right, and although some people think it's disrespectful, it is a non-violent way to protest police brutality

The National Anthem protests have been a major controversy in today’s news and with the public. The protests have caused violent outbreaks among some groups of people and created many problems. These problems have divided the country and everyone has a different stance on this. Police brutality is one of the main reasons these protests are occurring and it continues to happen everyday. Also, veterans are becoming very offended by the people who do protest our country. President Trump has also made very many comments about this issue including many about the NFL. The NFL has also lost viewers and money because of the athletes kneeling for the anthem. Overall, the protests of the national anthem are wrong and disrespectful towards our country and its veterans.

Colin Kaepernick notoriously kneeled during the national anthem at one of his memorable pre-season NFL games playing for the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, saying he was doing it to protest the oppression of minorities in the United States. It has since become one of the nation's most talked about and controversial topics. Though there isn't a legal aspect to it, this dispute has divided households into two. Those against players taking a knee during the national anthem during broadcasts sporting events and games will argue that is disrespectful to the U.S flag and troops. Participating players and supporters of this say it is a peaceful protest aimed at those who don't treat people of color as equals, and is in no way meant to be disrespectful or offencive to the country's heros. The average American has expressed their opinion on the matter, among government officials and some of the most influential people in America. Due to this protest, the NFL has experienced a change in ratings, and provoked a nationwide disagreement.

Professional athletes protesting the National Anthem has sparked controversy among American citizens causing a massive debate as to whether or not this protest is a disrespectful protest or a protest that is greatly needed in America. In my eyes, NFL players protesting the National Anthem is needed as the unity and equality that the National Anthem stands for is nonexistent. I stand with the NFL players protesting the National Anthem and I will tell you why.

A major problem in the National Football League(NFL) today isn’t occurring in the game itself, rather in the pre-game National Anthem. Players are deciding to take a knee or even sit on the bench during the anthem as a form of protest. Free agent quarterback, Colin Kaepernick began the protest and has since, created a movement among many other players in the NFL; a movement that has caused a lot of controversy amidst United States’ citizens.  Martin Luther King Jr. said in his letter from the Birmingham Jail, “whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” I believe that this applies to this situation in that racial injustice has directly affected Kaepernick; Kaepernick then expressed his feelings by protesting the anthem before his games on national television. In doing so, he attracted the likes of other NFL athletes and viewers of the games to agree with him and join the protest. As more and more NFL players and coaches continue protesting the National Anthem by kneeling/sitting, they should take into account what exactly they are protesting, what does kneeling demonstrate, and what does standing for the flag mean?

For the past year, numerous NFL players have decided to take a stand for the oppression of African Americans in the United States, by kneeling. This all began last year when Colin Kaepernick, former Quarterback of San Francisco 49ers, sat during the national anthem. He stated the reason why he started to protest was because of the oppression of African Americans in the United States. Various other players from opposing teams joined together with Kaepernick, in his protest. At this point, these protests have become more widespread; at week 3 of the NFL games there were more than 130 players and even an anthem singer protested. President Donald Trump has become involved in these protests by going against the players. President Trump has stated that these players need to be fired, as well as the public needs to boycott the NFL. Millions of people in the United States are extremely furious with these protests, because they believe the protests are for disrespecting the country, nevertheless the players till protest. These protests have caused a major division problem in the US, so this will share why these protests aren’t disrespectful to the United States, and these players are fighting for the oppression of African Americans.

For the past year, several NFL players have decided to take a knee during the national anthem. This all started last year when Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback of San Francisco 49ers, sat during the national anthem. He claimed that he did this because of the oppression of African Americans in the country. Various other players from different teams joined Kaepernick, together with his protest. Now, this protest has gotten larger, at week 3 of the NFL games there were more than 130 players and even an anthem singer were protesting. President Donald Trump has gotten involved in these protests by going against the players. Trump has stated that these players need to be fired, as well as the public needs to boycott the NFL. Millions of people in the United States are extremely furious with these protests for disrespecting the country, nevertheless the players till protest. These protests have caused a major division problem in the US, so this will share why these protests aren’t what people feel they are.

The flag and the national anthem represent boundless different ideals within the American people. What I can imagine it means for many Americans however, I don’t approve of whatsoever. Sports players using their public platform to initiate change, should not have to worry about the possibility of being fired when “taking a knee” during the national anthem. I’ll argue passionately that these players are being great Americans by honoring the flag and what it stands for more than anyone else, as they are kneeling for fair and equal treatment - Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Be that as it may, there is such strong emotion on both sides of the argument. It’s not a cut and dry subject. As with everything it’s true for both sides, and maybe the answers lie within the perspective and intention with which a conclusion is derived from.

In today’s society it seems as if every citizen tend to be honest and opinionated. They like to stand for what they believe in. It’s America people are given the freedom and right to do that. Though, most recently, certain people have decided to express their opinions, whether it’s the people that are protesting or the ones that are against it. Particularly the topic of race, athletes of the NFL have took it upon themselves to either sit, kneel, or lock arms during the national anthem in hopes of bringing a positive change. Furthermore, that is the point of doing this action, is try to bring a solution and to produce a positive change, some people say that there is no need to do so or that isn’t the right way, time, or place, to protest; however this protest being a peaceful way of protest and having a higher voice being an athlete, his reasoning and the way he does the protest makes it effective, especially since there are racial issues and police brutalities, with both sides making stating their reason as to why it’s right or why it’s wrong, Colin Kaepernick’s protest has been labeled as controversial.