During a pre season matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers, 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick willingly through himself into controversy when he refused to stand for the National Anthem.
Kaepernick later spoke as to why he remained seated during 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,” he told NFL Media after the game. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. People are bodies in the street and people are getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Kaepernick got his message out there. With the recent killings of African Americans many by police officers, racial tension has been a sensitive issue lately. Kaepernick while many don’t disagree with his message angered many in the way he chose to send his message.
Kaepernick’s ex teammate, Alex Boone, now a member of the Minnesota Vikings had no problem saying what he thought about Kaepernick not standing. “We’re out here playing a game, making millions of dollars. People are losing their life, and you don’t the common courtesy to do that. That just drove me nuts,” Boone said.
If he was still with the 49ers, Boone doesn’t think everything would have been fine. “See, I’m an emotional person. So, I think if I had known that, my emotions would’ve been rolling. I think we would’ve had a problem on the sideline.”
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz was another who was less than thrilled with the way Kaepernick decided to protest.
“I think personally, the flag is the flag. Regardless of how you feel about things that are going on in America today and the things that are going on across the world with gun violence and things like that. You’ve got to respect the flag and stand up with your teammates. It’s bigger than just you, in my opinion,” said Cruz.
While many fans and players have jumped to attack Kaepernick, there are a few who have been more understanding of what he is trying to do.
The 49ers released a statement regarding the issue: “The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”
Miami running back Arian Foster, while he did not agree with the method of protest, was much more sympathetic to the message Kaepernick was trying to send.
“I don’t necessarily see that as a solution to anything. This is me talking. This is Arian talking. If that’s what he felt, that’s his for form of protest, I support his right to protest. Those are his thoughts, his opinions,” said Foster. “I understand 100 percent what he’s doing. He’s frustrated just like me. He’s just like my brother. He’s just like my cousin out there. He’s frustrated. It’s hard seeing people get murdered and killed without repercussions.”
Kaepernick, who was once a starting quarterback in the Super Bowl, has since lost his job as starting quarterback for the 49ers, requested a trade that never came and has been recovering from multiple surgeries, has no plans on standing for the next national anthem.
“This is not something that I am going to run by anybody,” Kaepernick said. “I am not looking for approval. I have to stand for people that are oppressed. If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.”
