Recently Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, has been in the media for protesting against the playing of our national anthem. A debate has sparked as to whether or not his peaceful protest was disrespectful or acceptable. Sparked on the injustice issues of the black lives matter movement, Kaepernick's peaceful protest aims in bringing attention to the discrimination we still face today in the United States. But his protest does much more than highlight the black lives matter movement, it highlights his disrespect to those that have fallen to protect his right to live a career he so dearly loves.

Athletes have a role to use their platform in a way that can spark, and inspire change among nations. Scrutinized by the public eye, athletes actions directly transcend into the lives of the youth. Football is one of the most participated and celebrated sports in the United States and for that reason, the millions of fans look to embody the athletes that take the field. But athletes can either set a positive example for the public, or they can use their fame to cause more destruction.

Colin Kaepernick, pictured sitting on the bench behind a serviceman, refused to stand up for our song's nation. While he has the right to protest, his protest demonstrates the disrespect for the people that have come before us to protect the land we live, walk, and breath on. There are men and women that have come before, and will come after to protect his rights to freedom. Yet, instead of trying to make a change, Kaepernick sits silently in blatant disrespect to those that allow him to be free in exchange for what progress? What has he done to help black lives? Sitting through the national anthem doesn't show your bravery, rather it shows the true coward you are. Thousands of different races have come together in combat to protect our land, yet he practices his right to remain silent.

It's time that our leaders take a stand for action that creates change and results in a better future for the youth while honoring those that have fallen and those that have and will serve to protect our lives. In a land of so much freedom, we forget the true price of bravery and courage that some pay in the ultimate form of sacrifice for others.