"[251], Jim Harbaugh, Kaepernick's former coach, penned a strong statement of support for him as part of Time's "100 Most Influential People" series. Doing so could result in losing your job. [106], On July 19, the NFL and the players association issued a joint statement that "no rules relating to the anthem will be issued for the next several weeks." DJ LeMahieu tapped both players on the shoulder following the conclusion of the anthem in a show of solidarity. [242], Sportscaster Bob Costas offered support for Kaepernick stating, "Patriotism comes in many forms and what has happened is it's been conflated with a bumper-style kind of flag-waving and with the military only so that people cannot see that in his own way Colin Kaepernick, however imperfectly, is doing a patriotic thing. [291], To address the backlash, the NFL released a national anthem policy in May 2018, stating that players and team personnel were required to stand during the national anthem. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u827p"+(arguments[1].video?'. But not until years later when it came time for him to write his own will did he get to publish this song that is now known worldwide. He has a degree in sports management from California Polytechnic State University which he got in 2014. "[62], In Week 1, eleven NFL players joined Kaepernick's protests. I said this a long time ago. #BoycottNFL is used in different states than #TakeAKnee, with those using #BoycottNFL wanting to boycott the NFL and those using #TakeAKnee supporting the players who choose to protest. I'm not a political person that much, but I got common sense. After the referee blew his whistle for kick-off, all the players and the coaching staffs took the knee. [161] The players previously stood during the national anthem, with this being the first time they took the knee. [155], In September 2017, Principal Waylon Bates of Parkway High School in Louisiana referred to the national anthem protests as a "disruption" and threatened to kick any player out of the football team if he knelt during the national anthem. WebIn fact, several prominent players including Richard Sherman and Malcolm Jenkins have been banned from certain teams because they chose to continue demonstrating during You shouldnt be there. This occurred when the NFLPA filed a grievance against the NFL's national anthem policy, stating that the policy violated the players' rights because there were no prior discussions between the NFL and NFLPA. Even if it means sacrificing everything. [52][53][54] Reasons cited by players, owners, and coaches included supporting freedom of speech and opposing what they considered intimidation by Trump. The poem was then set to music later that year by John Stafford Smith. On the other side, several members of the Boston Red Sox including Jackie Bradley Jr. and Alex Verdugo knelt. [101], On May 23, 2018, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and all NFL team owners, except for two that abstained from voting in a show of hand voting process, approved a new policy that would require all players to stand during the national anthem or be given the option to stay in the locker room during the national anthem. ", "The national anthem in sports (spoiler: it wasn't always this way)", "NFL rulebook does not require players to stand for national anthem; Game Operations manual does", "Diverse America divided on flag, anthem, other symbols", "The Psychology of Taking a Knee: The backlash against protests by Colin Kaepernick and other athletes raises all sorts of scientific questions", "Opinion | Eric Reid: Why Colin Kaepernick and I Decided to Take a Knee", "Military veterans divided over NFL protests", "The #TakeAKnee protests have always been about race. [164], On September 2, 2016, a football player at Brunswick High School in Ohio knelt during the national anthem after he heard his teammates saying "nigger". [199], The NBA has a policy that requires players to stand up during the national anthem in their CBA, however many prominent players have expressed support for the NFL protests on social media or in interviews. When it comes to news about professional athletes, if its not news about their positive exploits on the field, the news loves to talk about their negative exploits off the field. There have been attempts by some owners to get their players to stop protesting during the anthem, but so far these efforts have failed miserably. [240] Nike took this backlash and converted it into a meme by releasing an ad that provided instructions to their customer on how to burn their products "properly". "[142] MLS to date, has yet to encounter national anthem protests. "[220], Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg criticized the protest as "dumb and disrespectful", stating that athletes have the right to protest "if they want to be stupid". [177] Patches reading "United for Change" and Black Lives Matter are also on the sleeves of every player's baseball uniform. [49], Trump said his criticism of the protesters was not related to race. [200] However, in the wake of the George Floyd protests, NBA commissioner Adam Silver reversed his stance, stating that he respects "teams' unified act of peaceful protest for social justice and under these unique circumstances will not enforce [the] long-standing rule requiring standing during the playing of our national anthem."[201]. "[33][34], After that interview, Kaepernick pledged to donate the first $1 million of his $11.9 million salary from the 20162017 season to different organizations that help communities in need. [112], After the creation of a video featuring NFL players, among them incumbent Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, asking the league to address racial inequalities following the May murder of George Floyd, commissioner Roger Goodell released a video of his own condemning racism and apologizing for the NFL's handling of previous protests. Biggio explained that he did it to help other kneeling players who were afraid to do so. It has caused friction. Eric Reid joined Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem during the final preseason game. His team backed him up by saying, "The Oakland A's pride ourselves on being inclusive. "[221], On September 25, 2017, U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee knelt on the floor of the House of Representatives. [196], On September 24, 2017, prior to Game 1 of the 2017 WNBA Finals, players from the Los Angeles Sparks chose to stay in the locker room during the national anthem, while members of the Minnesota Lynx locked arms on the court. At first glance, it was just one Though he did not endorse the action of kneeling during the anthem, Brees apologized, prompting criticism of the apology from President Trump. [271], Stevie Wonder knelt during the 2017 Global Citizen Festival on September 23, saying "Tonight, I'm taking a knee for America". [211], At the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, team fencing gold medalist Race Imboden knelt and women's hammer throw champion Gwen Berry raised a fist on the awards stand during the American national anthem.[212][213]. Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron said, "I think he's getting a raw deal" from the NFL. This was the first time that any member of the Vikings did so. Recently, Philadelphia Eagles player Anthony Harris exemplified the saying when he showed himself to be a salt of the earth kind of man. [68] (Tebow's actions were not considered controversial at the time. Mookie Betts was the lone member of the Los Angeles Dodgers to protest. [128] The home team Detroit Lions did the same with players either kneeling or leaving the field. [188], The Baltimore Orioles all walked onto the field wearing Black Lives Matter shirts. The visiting Pittsburgh Steelers stood with linked arms hoisting an anti-racism sign while some raised their fists. [8] Some observers have described the protests as being politically motivated and/or patriotic and they have also praised the players' social awareness, while others have criticized the drawing of attention to social issues during sporting events, and they have also called the protests unpatriotic or disrespectful. San Antonio Spurs coaches Gregg Popovich, an "outspoken supporter of Black Lives Matter," and Becky Hammon also chose to stand for their own reasons. Our respect for the national anthem has always been a hallmark of our pre-race events. This is my country, and I'll work out the problems, but I'll do it in an intelligent manner. [11] Throughout the following seasons, members of various NFL and other sports teams have engaged in similar silent protests. I chose to sacrifice my moment today at the top of the podium to call attention to issues that I believe need to be addressed. The news is often full of bad news, in general. Flag, Pledge of Allegiance, and National Anthem Etiquette", "N.F.L. This One Player Just REDEEMED the Entire Kneeling NFL Its often been said, Youre never too important to be kind to people. Recently, Philadelphia Eagles [163], On September 24, 2016, Michigan football players Jordan Lewis and Khalid Hill raised their right arms in the air in support of the Anthem Protests. [52][53] Other Republicans such as Florida senator Marco Rubio also expressed their discomforts against these policies as well. During the pre-draft process, he met with multiple NFL teams, but when the 2015 NFL Draft happened, 15 Safeties were selected, and he wasnt one of them. [232] Later that day, the company announced that the NFL shield or "official sponsor" designation on Papa John's commercials and advertising would be removed. Subscribe to According to Sports Illustrated, Evans said, "If this happens, then America's not right right now. "[25][26] Kaepernick has expressed his concerns about how his actions have been labeled as "anthem protest", since he considers this to be a diversion strategy from his critics to deviate the discussion from what really matters. [203][204], Miami Heat player Meyers Leonard also chose to stand with his hand over his heart. What does it mean to be an American? While Rubio's objections were not aimed directly at President Trump, he did support the rights of players of kneeling during the national anthem, especially Miami Dolphins player Kenny Stills. It required players to be on the sideline but only stated that players should, not must, stand during the national anthem. He experienced both a lot of highs, and endured a lot of lows in his career. In an October 2017 match against Schalke 04, players and staff of German soccer club Hertha Berlin took the knee in solidarity. Its easy to see why this moment went viral. [225], Oklahoma state representative Sean Roberts warned the Oklahoma City Thunder that if they kneel, he will reexamine their tax benefits. [129], Both the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers stood with their arms linked. On October 1, at East Carolina University, about 19 members of the band knelt, while about another two held the American flag during the national anthem at the beginning of the football game against the University of Central Florida. Because of that, Holly realized he was more than just an athlete. Trump stated he would love to see NFL owners say, "get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he's fired. Roger Goodell did so in a video message on June 5, and encouraged everyone to protest peacefully. "We chose to kneel because it's a respectful gesture. WebThe NFL decided to ban kneeling during the national anthem because it is a form of protest and its practitioners should not be perceived as showing respect for the flag and the country. [29], Kaepernick was not able to sign a contract with any NFL team even after he opted out of his contract with the 49ers and became a free agent in 2017, presumably because of his actions of taking a knee. College of the Ozarks president Jerry Davis announced in September 2017 that his college's teams would refuse to play any team whose players knelt during the anthem. In addition, the teams as a whole would be subject to punishment and other forms of discipline from the NFL as a result. The investigation was rapidly dropped after Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, the world governing body, publicly stated that such protests are worthy of applause not punishment. National Anthem", "What must Americans do during the anthem? [72], On November 13, 2016, five days after Donald Trump was elected President, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide-receiver Mike Evans decided to sit during the national anthem. [61] Seattle Seahawks player Jeremy Lane also did not stand for the anthem during his final preseason game the same day, stating, "It's something I plan to keep on doing until justice is being served. [127], Multiple players on the Chicago Bears knelt while others raised their fists. Protests Trump Comments", "Meghan Linsey kneels after singing national anthem at Titans-Seahawks game", "For years, Trump bashed the NFL and players who protested racial injustice. According to the statement, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "The Star Spangled Banner" will be performed to "continue raising awareness of racial injustice against the Black people. [238][239] By September 13, 2018, Nike's stock price closed at $83.47, which at the time was the highest in the company's history. [273] The same day Sonequa Martin-Green posted in her Instagram account a picture of several members from Star Trek: Discovery's cast alongside producer Akiva Goldsman and herself kneeling. [130], Jerick McKinnon and Richie James of the San Francisco 49ers both sat on the bench while the visiting Arizona Cardinals remained in the locker room. [195], Seattle Mariners players Kyle Lewis, J. P. Crawford, Shed Long, Mallex Smith, Dee Gordon, and Justus Sheffield raised their right fists. [295], During the George Floyd protests on June 4, 2020, about 20 players released a video reciting the names of victims, demanding that the NFL condemn racism and admit its policy against peaceful protests were wrong and to affirm that black lives matter. I encourage others to please use your platforms for empowerment and change. [267] However, during the 2016 and 2017 seasons ratings were down by 8% and 9.7% respectively. Childress said, "It'll get you a ride on a Greyhound bus" if anyone on his team protested the anthem. [113] The league later announced plans to play "Lift Every Voice and Sing", also known as the Black national anthem, prior to "The Star-Spangled Banner" during Week 1 games. He added that he was "not condemning anybody or criticizing anybody" in his remarks. And it has disrupted that organization. [234], After his first kneel in 2016, Nike was well on its way to severing its four year long partnership with Kaepernick. [64], Kaepernick and Marshall were by no means the first pro football players to be seen kneeling on the field. [132], Dontari Poe was the lone player on the Dallas Cowboys that knelt making him the first Cowboy to do so. [9] The act itself has become widely referred to as "taking the knee" or "taking a knee". Holly, mother of Audrey Soape, formed a relationship with Harris. "The big thing that hit me through all this was this is a backup quarterback whose job is to be quiet, and sit in the shadows and get the starter ready to play Week 1," Dilfer said on Sunday NFL Countdown. Irv Cross, former NFL star and the first African American to work full-time as an analyst on national TV, had stage four brain disease CTE when he died aged 81, researchers say. Its been a hard year for the Soape family. Whats the worse that could happen? [216][217][218] During a Senate hearing, Lankford said: "We watched, even this weekend, the Russians and their troll farms, their internet folks, start hashtagging out #TakeAKnee and also hashtagging out #BoycottNFL. [257][258] Hill was later put on a two-week suspension for "a second violation of our social media guidelines", after Hill suggested people direct their disagreements towards advertisers of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, after Jones stated he would bench any player who protested the national anthem on October 9, 2017. Are MLB players still kneeling for the national anthem? Other teams elected to remain in the locker room rather than take the field for the anthem. [156] There have been almost no such incidents involving college football players, for the simple reason that college players and coaches are typically in the locker room when the anthem is played. [279], Due to Kaepernick's 2018 advertisement with Nike, both plaudits and denunciations have been voiced. [286][287] The hashtag was often used with other hashtags such as #BoycottNFL and #BlackLivesMatter. 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