On August 26, 2016, in a meaningless preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick, decided to sit down during the national anthem.
His reasons, which stated above, are fair and only wanted to start a discussion that seemed to get dismissed after African-Americans were being killed across America by Police Officers.
All Kaepernick, wanted to do was begin a conversation. A conversation that was years in the making but never brought to the table.
One by one players across the league joined in and took a kneel after Kaepernick’s conversation with Former NFL player Nate Boyer, who served, and felt that would be a bit more respectful.
Everyone from President Trump to athletes in other sports leagues around the world weighed in on the topic:
That’s not exactly the problems we feel our president should be focused on. Honestly, he should be focused on the reason people are kneeling.
Across America, African-Americans are dying ( or getting murdered, however you’d like to see it ) at an alarming rate. Instead of, having the conversation the players are being slammed for their protest.
And now the NFL has decided to penalize the protest:
So basically, instead of talking and bringing awareness to social injustices, the NFL has decided to basically say ‘PROTEST DONE. BACK TO FOOTBALL. LEAVE YOUR PROTEST IN THE LOCKER ROOM.
Somethings gotta change. All people are asking for is awareness on the issues. Instead Kaepernick’s career as well many others that protested looks to be threatened or over at this point.
The NFL had a chance to allow its players to have a voice like Adam Silver has in the NBA. But Roger Goodell, like always, dropped the ball.
Thanks for trying I guess.
Shoot Your Sh*t 