Matt Dionne | Editor-in-Chief
Featured Image: Many players around the league took a knee during the national anthem this past Sunday in defiance of comments by President Donald Trump. | Courtesy of Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf
This past week, several players across the NFL decided to take a knee during the national anthem, a protest that began in August 2016 by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.
During a 49ers preseason game on August 14, Kaepernick elected to sit on the team’s bench during the American national anthem—though it wasn’t reported by the media until two weeks later.
Kaepernick explained that his decision to sit during the anthem was a demonstration intended to shine a light on the injustices black people and people of colour face in America.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour,” he said. “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 week following Kaepernick’s protest garnered high media attention, and he was joined by teammate Eric Reid. The two men knelt on the sidelines during the anthem, as opposed to sitting. Kaepernick explained that he decided to take a knee as a way to participate in the anthem and show respect while still making a statement and expressing his opinion.
Since then, many players have joined Kaepernick’s cause and elected to sit or kneel during the national anthem.
Kaepernick’s decision rubbed many fans the wrong way, and he was often met with boos and jeers when he would take the field. However, it wasn’t only the fans who didn’t appreciate Kaepernick’s actions—he is currently a free agent, despite the fact some teams clearly lack an NFL-level quarterback.
Kaepernick has a career winning percentage of 0.483, a career completion percentage of 59.8, and a career quarterback rating of 88.9. To put things into perspective, Josh McCown—0.301, 59.5, and 78.7; Blake Bortles—0.271, 58.8, and 80.2; Brian Hoyer—0.470, 59.8, and 84; and Mike Glennon—0.286, 60.5, and 83.9—all have lower career-winning percentages and ratings, with only Glennon having a higher completion percentage. Yet they all find themselves with not only a job, but a starting job in the league.
Although many players have taken up Kaepernick’s protest since last August, the majority of players still stood for and participated in the anthem—that is, until President Donald Trump decided to weigh in on the subject.
Trump, speaking at a rally in Alabama on September 22, said: “Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out. He’s fired!” referring to players who took a knee during the anthem (this is coming from the man who chastised Barack Obama via Twitter for getting involved in the debate over Washington’s team name, rather than focusing on bigger issues).
In response, many team owners and league executives spoke out in defense of the players and condemned Trump’s comments.
“Our country needs unifying leadership right now, not more divisiveness,” said Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross.
“We must seek to understand each other and have civil discourse, instead of condemnation and sound bites. I know our players who knelt for the anthem, and these are smart, young men of character who want to make our world a better place for everyone.
“They wanted to start a conversation and are making a difference in our community, including working with law enforcement to bring people together. We can all benefit from learning, listening, and respecting each other. Sports are a common denominator in our world. We all have the responsibility to use this platform to promote understanding, respect, and equality,” he continued.
“The callous and offensive comments made by the President are contradictory to what this great country stands for. Our players have exercised their rights as United States citizens, in order to spark conversation and action to address social injustice,” added 49ers CEO Jed York.
“We will continue to support them in their peaceful pursuit of positive change in our country and around the world. The San Francisco 49ers will continue to work toward bringing communities, and those who serve them, closer together.”
Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy also weighed in, saying: “It’s unfortunate that the President decided to use his immense platform to make divisive and offensive statements about our players and the NFL. We strongly believe that players are leaders in our communities and positive influences.
“They have achieved their positions through tremendous work and dedication, and should be celebrated for their success and positive impact. We believe it is important to support any of our players who choose to peacefully express themselves with the hope of change for good. As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely.”
On the Sunday following Trump’s comments, almost every team playing made some sort of statement in defiance of them. Some players took a knee, some linked arms, others sat on the bench, and some refused to take part in the anthem at all.
Many of the team’s owners were also on the sidelines, arm-in-arm with their players in a display of support and solidarity.
“I think Trump approached the situation in an unprofessional way, which lead to an appropriate response by the players, who all felt personally attacked by his language. I, for one, disagree with kneeling and not being out there, because, regardless of what the President says, you should still respect your country.
“But I understand their reasoning in response to his words,” says Matthew Fernandez, a fourth-year Biomedical Sciences student.
“I believe the players are justified, and I applaud Colin Kaepernick for exercising his constitutional right,” says Justin Hagley, third-year Political Science student.
“I don’t think it’s taken away from the actual on-field product of the NFL, but I think the current climate of the league, following those protests has given athletes probably the greatest opportunity in sports history to make a political statement, especially after this Sunday’s huge number of protests,” he adds.
Hagley feels Trump was only trying to get a response from the crowd and didn’t foresee the response it would garner from the players, or the effect it would have on the league.
“I think these anthem protests are only going to get bigger in sports, moreso since NFL owners are now participating. Bruce Maxwell, catcher for the Oakland Athletics, was the first MLB player to protest this past weekend as well—so athletes are no longer going to ‘just stick to sports.’”
