Académique Documents
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Culture Documents
Trenton Martin
Professor Moore
Comp 1
11 October 2017
National Anthem protest in the United States has hit an all time high for athletes and
ordinary citizens. Some football players decide to kneel during the nations anthem to tell the
public that they are trying to make people aware about the social injustices and racial tensions
that occur in this country. There is controversy whether to let the players protest or to punish
those who do. Many fans who say they are disrespecting the flag are boycotting the league until
the league does something. NFL ratings have plummeted since these protest started. Colin
Kaepernick who was the Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers last year was the first to kneel
in a preseason game that led to more players kneeling impacting the game and American society.
Many sports leagues including the NBA, NFL, and MLB are affected by Anthem protest in many
After Kaepernick knelt for the first time, dozens of networks started buzzing about his
actions. There were both positive and negative reactions. He was atop of all story lines before
the 2016 NFL season. Fans responded to his protest by using his jersey as doormats at bars and
even burning his jersey showing they were not in favor of his protest actions. While Kaepernick
played well, he was later released by the 49ers shortly after the season. Many players during his
last season and players currently playing have joined Kaepernick's protest. They too are booed
by fans just like he was. Now he is asking for another shot in the NFL by attending owners and
players meetings. Owners yet are hesitant and do not want to risk negative publicity by their fan
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base which could affect ticket sales or their ratings. That's not a conspiracy. That's just NFL owners
looking out for their business Jay Caruso states on why Kaepernick is unsigned. Fans have already boycotted
the NFL for anthem protest and will not stop unless rules are in place. Rick Dande puts in his
article, When Kaepernick and others kneeled they are calling attention to social inequalities, Faraguna said, "and
The NFL is not the only sport having to deal with anthem protesters. Major League
Baseball rookie Bruce Maxwell who plays for the Oakland As was the first MLB player to
kneel after President Trumps comments stating anyone that kneels should be fired. Joey Hayden
mentions in his article He has knelt before every A's game since. The National Basketball Association
(NBA) did not see any protesters last year, but that could all change this year. Many teams are in
conversation on how they will handle our nations anthem. Many say they may stand together
with linked arms to show unity. Teams expected to kneel are the Golden State Warriors and
Cleveland Cavaliers whose players from both teams took jabs at President Trump on twitter after
he uninvited the Warriors from a White House visit after their championship win. Steph Curry
and Lebron James were the two main players from each of the teams going at him on social
media. The NFL, MLB, and the NBA are the only sports thus far to have protesters.
On the other hand many believe that these anthem protest are good for America and
really are making the people aware of all the social injustices and racism in this country. Some
ESPN and NFL Network analyst called Kaepernick a hero for having the guts to take a knee
knowing he would be ridiculed for it. Cam Newton, Quarterback for the Carolina Panthers stated
He is a hero, and should definitely be signed by a team after being asked by the media if
Kaepernick should be signed or not. Most NFL owners are in favor of their players kneeling
stating that its their constitutional right and is a peaceful protest. Jerry Jones, the owner of the
Dallas Cowboys, sent a clear message out to his players stating that if anyone were to kneel, he
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would have them benched for a game and possibly cut no matter who they were. Other owners
such as Jaguars owner Shahid Khan who is an immigrant himself actually took a knee with his
team for the first time in London when the anthem was played. The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed
inside their locker room before a game during the anthem which was a new way to protest.
Omari Sankofa II mentioned in his article many of whom responded by posting videos of burning Steelers
Its a tradition in our country for citizens and sports fans to stand while the National
Anthem is played at sporting events. In 2016, Colin Kaepernick was the first player to kneel
sparking a movement among athletes. Those in favor of the movement want attitudes to change
and want to see an end to social injustice. They do not mind using the anthem to bring attention
to their plight. Those not in favor do not want the anthem used for protesting. Not the time Nor
the place some say to the NFL. The protest display during the National Anthem remains a topic
of discussion and continues to be controversial today. Only time will tell if it was an effective
act.
Works Cited
Caruso, Jay OPINION: There is more to Colin Kaepernick Remaining unsigned than his
Kneeling during the National Anthem. Dallas Morning News, The (TX) , 24 AUG
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Dandes, Rick. Valley weighs in on NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem. Daily
Item, The (Sunbury, PA), September 27, 2017 ., Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost
Hayden, Joey. BRIEF: Oakland Catcher Bruce Maxwell Kneels in Bullpen during National
Anthem Before Game Vs. Rangers. Dallas Morning News, the (TX), 29 Sept. 2017
Sankofa II, Omari. Steelers Fans Burn Apparel After Decision to Skip National Anthem.