Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to find anybody in the sports world that has any type of respect for 49ers Colin Kaepernick. It’s a good thing because he did something no person should ever do.
Kaepernick explained his unwillingness to stand for the playing of the national anthem, which of course happens before the kickoff of every NFL game. It happened in last night’s preseason game at Levi’s Stadium against the Green Bay Packers, one in which he struggled in his first action since last season.
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“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche after the game against Green Bay. “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.”
The 49ers issued a statement on the matter:
“The National Anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame 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.”
Kaepernick is right to have his own opinion on the matter. He’s right to view his country any way he chooses. But he also must be willing to face the likely backlash. If USA Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas can get ripped for unintentionally forgetting to put her hand over her heart during the anthem, then Kaepernick clearly refusing to stand up during it will be treated far more harshly one would imagine.
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It appears Kaepernick is aware of what he will face.
“This is not something that I am going to run by anybody,” he said. “I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. … If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.
Well Mr Kaepernick, instead of sitting down and not standing up for your national anthem, why don’t you do something about it. You basically sat down and thought this “solution” will of course solve everything. Actually you made it worse, and now you are one of the most disrespectful players in the NFL.
Hey @Kaepernick7 I don't have legs but I'll stand w/ enough pride for both of us every time my National Anthem plays pic.twitter.com/q1EEGnmD7M
— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) August 27, 2016
Have respect like this gentleman above.
Alex Alarcon is the Founder and Senior Writer at Rams Headquarters Follow him on Twitter @AlexAlarcon49, and on Google+.
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